Rent Increases in New Hampshire: What Are My Rights?
This page covers rent increases for New Hampshire renters. It explains which homes the eviction rules cover, what the law says about a written rent increase notice, and what the law says about retaliation. It does not cover being told to leave at the end of a lease.
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New Hampshire's eviction law defines "restricted property" as all property rented as a home. It leaves out "nonrestricted property" (homes left out of that group). That list includes a single-family house whose owner has no more than 3 such houses. It includes a rental unit in a building where the owner lives, with 4 homes or fewer. It also includes a single-family house a bank or other lender got through foreclosure (when a lender takes a home).
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
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Among the homes on the law's "nonrestricted property" list (homes left out of the restricted group) are single-family houses. This applies if the owner does not own more than 3 single-family houses at any one time. Another listed home is a rental unit in an owner-occupied building with 4 units or fewer.
✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026
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On restricted property, refusing to agree to a rent increase is good cause (a reason the law accepts) for eviction. This holds only if the landlord gave you written notice of the amount and the effective date. The notice must come at least 30 days before the increase takes effect.
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
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On restricted property, "other good cause" (a reason the law accepts for eviction) includes, but is not limited to, any legitimate business or economic reason. It need not be based on what the tenant, the tenant's family, or guests did or failed to do.
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
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A rent increase is presumed (the court treats it as true unless your landlord proves it is not) to be retaliation. This applies within 6 months after the landlord received notice of an alleged violation. Notice counts if the tenant mailed it, handed it over, or left it at the landlord's home. It also counts if the board, agency or authority told the landlord. The court does not presume this if it finds the tenant's report, complaint, action or organizing was mainly meant to prevent any eviction.
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
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In some cases, a rent increase is presumed (the court treats it as true unless your landlord proves it is not) to be retaliation. For example, one is within 6 months after the landlord fixed the problem you reported. One is within 6 months after the landlord learned you started a case under RSA 540-A. One is within 6 months after the landlord found out you met with other tenants for any lawful purpose. The court does not presume this if it finds your report, case or meeting was mainly meant to stop an eviction.
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
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The law lists events that start a 6-month period. A rent increase in that period is presumed (the court treats it as true unless your landlord proves it is not) to be retaliation. The court does not make this rule apply if it finds the tenant's report, complaint, action or organizing was primarily intended to prevent any eviction.
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
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Retaliation is a defense to a possessory action (an eviction case) on residential property. It covers a case brought because the tenant reported a violation of RSA 540-A in good faith. The tenant must reasonably believe it is a violation. It does not apply if the tenant owes the landlord the equivalent of one week's rent or more.
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
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Retaliation is a defense to a possessory action (an eviction case) on residential property. It covers a case brought because the tenant started an action in good faith under RSA 540-A. It covers one brought because the tenant met with other tenants for any lawful purpose. It does not apply if the tenant owes the landlord the equivalent of one week's rent or more.
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
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The retaliation defense does not apply in cases in which the tenant owes the landlord the equivalent of one week's rent or more. The defense is to a possessory action (an eviction case) on residential property.
✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026
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Keep a copy of any written rent increase notice. Write down the date you got it and the date the new rent starts.
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If you report a problem with your home to your landlord or a government office, keep a copy of what you sent. Write down the date.
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