New Hampshire Eviction Notice Template (RSA 540:3)
Before a landlord can file an eviction case, most states require a written notice that tells the tenant what is wrong and how long they have to fix it or move out. Answer the questions below to create a clear, professional notice — then check it against your state and local rules before you serve it.
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Free to preview[Landlord or property manager name]
[Your address and phone for the tenant to reach you]
October 15, 2026
To: [Tenant name(s)]
and all other occupants of
[Rental property address]
Re: [Type of notice] — [Rental property address]
Dear [Tenant name(s)],
This letter is formal written notice to you as the tenant of the property at [Rental property address]. Type of notice: [Type of notice].
The reason for this notice is as follows:
[Reason for this notice]
Within [Notice period in days] days after this notice is delivered to you, you must [What the tenant must do within that time]. If this notice is delivered to you on October 15, 2026, that period ends on October 15, 2026.
This notice is given under New Hampshire RSA 540:3, which requires written notice stating the reason for the eviction before a landlord may begin a possessory action in court.
If you do not do so within that time, I intend to file an eviction case with the court to recover possession of the property. You will have the opportunity to respond in court, and you may not be removed from the property unless a court orders it. I will not remove you or your belongings or change the locks without a court order.
If you have questions about this notice, or wish to discuss payment or resolving the issue, please contact me in writing at the address above.
Sincerely,
[Landlord or property manager name]
Date this notice was delivered: ____________________
Method of delivery: ____________________
Delivered by: ____________________
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How eviction notices work in New Hampshire
New Hampshire calls the termination notice an eviction notice. For nonpayment of rent, the notice period is 7 days, and the landlord must also serve a written demand for the rent. For most other reasons, including a lease violation, the notice must give at least 30 days. A month-to-month tenancy is ended with a 30-day notice, though most residential rentals, called restricted property, require a lawful reason under RSA 540:2.
The eviction notice must be in writing, state the specific reason for the eviction, and give the date by which the tenant must leave. For nonpayment, the notice must tell the tenant about any right to stop the case by paying the rent owed, $15 in liquidated damages, and the landlord's filing and service costs before the hearing. The demand and notice can be delivered in hand or left at the tenant's home, and proof of service is made with an affidavit of service.
If the tenant stays past the deadline, the landlord may obtain a landlord and tenant writ from the circuit court, district division, and have it served by the sheriff. The tenant can file an appearance by the return day and have a hearing, and cannot be evicted unless the court orders it. New Hampshire prohibits self-help evictions, including lockouts, holding a tenant's belongings, and willfully interrupting utilities, under RSA 540-A:3.
What to do, step by step
Check your state and local rules first
Look up the notice period, required wording and delivery method for your state, county and city. Many places set different periods for unpaid rent, lease violations and ending a tenancy, and some cities add their own just-cause rules.
Fill in the notice
Answer the questions above. Name every adult tenant on the lease, state the facts plainly and enter the exact number of days your rules require.
Serve it the way your state requires
States specify how a notice must be delivered — commonly hand delivery, leaving it with an adult at the home, posting and mailing, or certified mail. A notice served the wrong way may have to be redone.
Record how and when you served it
Write down the date, time, method and who delivered it, and keep a copy of the notice. Courts often ask for this proof of service.
Wait out the full notice period
Don't change the locks, remove belongings or shut off utilities. If the tenant fixes the problem, accept it as your rules require; if not, the next step is filing an eviction case in court.
What if the tenant doesn't respond to the notice?
An eviction notice is not an eviction. It is the written warning most states require before you can go to court. If the notice period ends and the tenant hasn't paid, fixed the violation or moved out, the next step is to file an eviction case — often called an unlawful detainer or summary possession case — with your local court.
Until a judge rules in your favor and a court officer such as a sheriff or marshal carries out the order, the tenant has the right to stay. Changing the locks, removing the tenant's belongings, cutting off utilities or otherwise forcing them out is a so-called self-help eviction, which is illegal in nearly every state and can expose you to damages.
Courts look closely at the notice itself. If the period was too short, the wording missed something your state requires or it was delivered the wrong way, the case can be dismissed and you may have to start over. Your local court's self-help center or a landlord association can tell you what your court expects.
Example New Hampshire eviction notice
A filled-in sample with made-up details, so you can see the finished result.
Greenway Rentals LLC
PO Box 2210, Lakeview, MN 55401 · (555) 201-4478
October 5, 2026
To: Taylor Brooks and Jamie Brooks
and all other occupants of
56 Willow St, Unit 3, Lakeview, MN 55402
Re: Notice to pay rent or quit — 56 Willow St, Unit 3, Lakeview, MN 55402
Dear Taylor Brooks and Jamie Brooks,
This letter is formal written notice to you as the tenant of the property at 56 Willow St, Unit 3, Lakeview, MN 55402. Type of notice: Notice to pay rent or quit.
The reason for this notice is as follows:
Rent of $1,450 for the month of September 2026, due on September 1, 2026, has not been paid, despite a reminder sent by email on September 10.
The total amount of rent now due is $1,450.00.
Within 14 days after this notice is delivered to you, you must pay the full amount of rent owed or move out of the property. If this notice is delivered to you on October 5, 2026, that period ends on October 19, 2026.
This notice is given under New Hampshire RSA 540:3, which requires written notice stating the reason for the eviction before a landlord may begin a possessory action in court.
If you do not do so within that time, I intend to file an eviction case with the court to recover possession of the property. You will have the opportunity to respond in court, and you may not be removed from the property unless a court orders it. I will not remove you or your belongings or change the locks without a court order.
If you have questions about this notice, or wish to discuss payment or resolving the issue, please contact me in writing at the address above.
Sincerely,
Greenway Rentals LLC
Date this notice was delivered: ____________________
Method of delivery: ____________________
Delivered by: ____________________
Frequently asked questions
How long is an eviction notice for unpaid rent in New Hampshire?
Seven days. The landlord serves an eviction notice and a written demand for rent. A tenant can generally stop a nonpayment eviction by paying all rent owed, $15 in liquidated damages, and the landlord's filing and service costs before the hearing, but this right can be used no more than 3 times in 12 months.
Does a New Hampshire landlord need a reason to evict?
For most residential properties, yes. RSA 540:2 lists permitted reasons, such as nonpayment, substantial damage, failure to follow a material lease term, or other good cause. Single-family houses whose owner has no more than 3 such houses, and units in owner-occupied buildings with 4 or fewer units, are exempt from this requirement.
What notice is needed for a lease violation in New Hampshire?
A 30-day eviction notice stating the violation as the reason. A 7-day notice applies when the tenant caused substantial damage or behaved in a way that adversely affects the health or safety of other tenants or the landlord.
Can a New Hampshire landlord change the locks?
No. A landlord may not lock out a tenant, hold the tenant's belongings, or willfully cut off utilities except through proper court process. A tenant can file a petition for relief in the district court without a filing fee, and the court can order the conduct to stop and award damages.
How much notice do I have to give a tenant?
It depends on your state, sometimes your city, the type of notice and the lease. Periods for unpaid rent can be as short as a few days or as long as a month, and notices ending a month-to-month tenancy are often 30 days or more. Check your state's landlord-tenant law and any local ordinance before serving.
Is an eviction notice the same as being evicted?
No. A notice only starts the process. If the tenant doesn't comply, the landlord must file a case in court and win a judgment. Only a court order, carried out by a sheriff, marshal or similar officer, can legally remove a tenant from the property.
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