Goffstown is a suburban town of roughly 18,000 residents in Hillsborough County, located just west of Manchester. Its rental market serves a mix of families, commuters, and students attending Saint Anselm College and other nearby institutions. Renters in Goffstown operate under New Hampshire's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (RSA Chapter 540) and RSA Chapter 540-A — the same state law framework applied throughout New Hampshire — as Goffstown has enacted no supplemental local ordinances.
New Hampshire's tenant protection framework is comparatively lean: there is no statewide rent control, habitability remedies depend partly on local code enforcement, and tenants must act proactively to protect their rights. This guide covers the rules that actually apply to Goffstown renters.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and local regulations change — always verify current rules with a licensed New Hampshire attorney or a free legal aid provider such as New Hampshire Legal Assistance.
Goffstown has no rent control ordinance, and no New Hampshire town or city does. New Hampshire has simply never enacted statewide or local rent stabilization law. RSA Chapter 540, which governs residential landlord-tenant relationships throughout the state, contains no rent increase limits or stabilization mechanisms. No New Hampshire municipality has enacted local rent control.
In practice, a landlord in Goffstown can raise rent by any amount at any time, provided they give the required advance written notice. For a month-to-month tenant, that notice is at least 30 days under RSA 540:2. There is no cap, no formula, and no local board to petition. Tenants whose rent is increased have two realistic options: accept the new rent or give their own 30-day written notice to vacate.
Tenants with fixed-term leases are protected for the duration of the lease term — the landlord cannot raise rent mid-lease unless the lease itself permits it. At renewal, however, the landlord may offer a new lease at any rent they choose.
New Hampshire law provides several baseline protections for Goffstown renters under RSA Chapters 540 and 540-A.
Implied Warranty of Habitability: New Hampshire courts recognize an implied warranty of habitability. Landlords must maintain rental units in a condition fit for human habitation, including functioning heat, plumbing, and structural safety. Goffstown tenants can file a complaint with town code enforcement to trigger an official inspection.
Security Deposit Rules (RSA 540-A:5–6): Deposits are capped at one month's rent or $100, whichever is greater. Landlords must return the deposit within 30 days of termination of tenancy, with an itemized written statement of any deductions. Wrongful withholding triggers double-damage liability.
Notice to Terminate (RSA 540:2): Either party must give at least 30 days' written notice before the next rent due date to end a month-to-month tenancy. A landlord who fails to provide proper written notice cannot proceed with a valid eviction for non-renewal.
Anti-Retaliation Protection (RSA 540:13-a): A landlord may not evict, increase rent, reduce services, or otherwise retaliate against a tenant for reporting housing code violations or exercising any legal right. Within six months of a protected act, retaliation is presumed and the burden shifts to the landlord.
Prohibition on Self-Help Eviction (RSA 540-A:2–3): Landlords are strictly prohibited from removing a tenant without a court order, including changing locks or shutting off utilities. Violations entitle the tenant to actual damages plus a $1,000 civil penalty per violation under RSA 540-A:4.
Security deposit rules in Goffstown are governed by RSA 540-A:5 and RSA 540-A:6. Key rules every Goffstown renter should know:
Cap on Amount: A landlord may not collect a security deposit exceeding one month's rent or $100, whichever is greater (RSA 540-A:5, I). Any lease clause requiring a higher deposit is unenforceable.
Holding and Accounting: Under RSA 540-A:5, II, the landlord must provide a written receipt for the deposit and hold it in a separate account. At or before move-in, the landlord must give the tenant a written condition statement describing any existing damage.
Return Deadline: The landlord must return the deposit within 30 days after the tenancy ends, along with a written itemized statement of any deductions for damages beyond normal wear and tear (RSA 540-A:6, I).
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord wrongfully withholds any portion of the deposit, the tenant is entitled to double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees, under RSA 540-A:6, II. Document the unit's condition with photos at move-in and move-out, and provide your forwarding address in writing when you vacate.
Goffstown landlords must follow the formal eviction process under RSA Chapter 540. Self-help eviction — changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities without a court order — is illegal under RSA 540-A:2 and carries a $1,000 per-violation civil penalty.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must serve a written notice on the tenant. For nonpayment of rent, the landlord must give a 7-day written demand for payment or possession (RSA 540:3). For month-to-month termination without cause, the landlord must give 30 days' written notice (RSA 540:2).
Step 2 — Filing a Writ of Summons: If the tenant does not vacate or cure within the notice period, the landlord may file in New Hampshire Circuit Court — District Division serving Hillsborough County (Manchester District).
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties may present evidence. Tenants may raise defenses including improper notice, rent payment, retaliation, or habitability issues.
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: If the court rules for the landlord, a Writ of Possession is issued. Only a sheriff or authorized officer may physically remove a tenant.
The 30-day no-cause notice applies only to "nonrestricted" property. The 30-day no-cause termination notice described above is available only for "nonrestricted" property under RSA 540:1-a (for example, owner-occupied buildings of four or fewer units). For "restricted" property — most non-owner-occupied rentals — a landlord cannot terminate the tenancy without one of the statutory good-cause grounds in RSA 540:2, II, so giving notice alone is not enough; the notice periods themselves are set by RSA 540:3, not RSA 540:2.
2026 update — HB60 (effective July 1, 2026): HB60 amends RSA 540:2 to add the expiration of a written residential lease term of 12 months or longer (including cumulative renewals reaching 12 or more months) as a good-cause ground for not renewing a "restricted"-property tenancy. The landlord must give at least 60 days' written notice of non-renewal and must file any eviction (possessory) action within six months of the lease expiration. Such no-fault, end-of-lease non-renewals are excluded from a tenant's reportable eviction history for tenant-screening purposes. Confirm the codified text of RSA 540:2 on or after July 1, 2026.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information presented reflects laws and regulations as of April 2026, but landlord-tenant law can change through legislation, court decisions, or local ordinance. Every tenant's situation is different — for advice specific to your circumstances, consult a licensed New Hampshire attorney or contact a free legal aid organization such as New Hampshire Legal Assistance (nhla.org). RentCheckMe makes no representations regarding the completeness, accuracy, or applicability of this information to any individual case.
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