Landlord Entering Without Notice in New Hampshire: What Are My Rights?

1. Under RSA 540-A:3, your landlord may not willfully (on purpose) enter your home without your consent first. Entry to make emergency repairs is allowed.

   New Hampshire General Court RSA 540-A:3, IV

   ✓ Sources checked October 4, 2026

2. Under RSA 540-A:3, emergency repairs include, for example, entry to look at, plan for, or treat an infestation (a pest problem) of rodents or insects. Bed bugs are included. The entry must happen within 72 hours of when the landlord first received notice of the problem.

   New Hampshire General Court RSA 540-A:3, IV-a

   ✓ Sources checked October 4, 2026

3. Under RSA 540-A:3, a landlord may enter a tenant's home without the tenant's consent only in 2 cases. One is to make emergency repairs. The other is when the landlord has a court order allowing the entry.

   New Hampshire General Court RSA 540-A:3, V-d

   ✓ Sources checked October 4, 2026

4. New Hampshire law bars a landlord from willfully (on purpose) violating a tenant's right to quiet enjoyment (living in your home in peace). It also bars a landlord from trying to get around the lawful steps for evicting a tenant under RSA 540.

   New Hampshire General Court RSA 540-A:2

   ✓ Sources checked October 4, 2026

5. Under RSA 540-A:3, a landlord may not willfully (on purpose) do either of these things. First, seize or hold your home. Second, directly or indirectly deny you access to and possession of it. Only a proper court process allows this.

   New Hampshire General Court RSA 540-A:3, II

   ✓ Sources checked October 4, 2026

6. Under RSA 540-A:4, a tenant can ask for relief from a landlord's violation of RSA 540-A:2 or RSA 540-A:3. To do this, file a petition (a written request to the court) in the district or county where the rental home is located.

   New Hampshire General Court RSA 540-A:4, II

   ✓ Sources checked October 4, 2026

7. Under RSA 540-A:4, the clerks of the district courts supply forms for these petitions. The forms are designed to make the process easier.

   New Hampshire General Court RSA 540-A:4, IV

   ✓ Sources checked October 4, 2026

8. Under RSA 540-A:4, no filing fee is charged for a petition against a landlord's violation of RSA 540-A:2 or RSA 540-A:3. The person filing may go ahead without a lawyer. Either a peace officer or the sheriff's department serves process (delivers the court papers).

   New Hampshire General Court RSA 540-A:4, III

   ✓ Sources checked October 4, 2026

9. Under RSA 540-A:4, the court must hold a hearing on a petition. The hearing is due within 30 days of the filing. It can also be due within 10 days of service of process (delivery of the court papers) on the defendant. The later date applies.

   New Hampshire General Court RSA 540-A:4, VI

   ✓ Sources checked October 4, 2026

10. Under RSA 540-A:4, the court must grant the relief needed to protect the rights of the parties. This applies if it finds a violation of RSA 540-A:2 or RSA 540-A:3, I, II, or III. The relief may include an order to stop the activity. It may also include money the landlord must pay you for the violation. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

    RenterLaw editorial New Hampshire General Court RSA 540-A:4, VII

    ✓ Sources checked October 4, 2026

11. If a landlord breaks RSA 540-A:2 or any part of RSA 540-A:3, RSA 358-A:10 lets you sue for the first violation. If you win, the court awards the greater of your actual loss or $1,000. If the landlord broke the law on purpose or knowingly, it awards 2 to 3 times that amount. For example, 2 times $1,000 is $2,000. You also get costs and reasonable attorney's fees (lawyer fees). You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

    RenterLaw editorial New Hampshire General Court RSA 540-A:4, IX(a) New Hampshire General Court RSA 358-A:10, I

    ✓ Sources checked October 4, 2026

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