New Hampshire Landlord-Tenant Court Resources
Official forms, court information, and procedural sources for New Hampshire landlords and tenants.
Finding the right source is an important first step. These links lead to the New Hampshire Judicial Branch and the state's statutes. Each serves a different purpose: locating a form, finding a court, understanding a rule, or obtaining help.
A completed form does not establish that an eviction notice is legally sufficient, that a defense has been properly raised, or that a deadline has been met. Those questions require attention to the particular case.
Find the Court's Forms
The Judicial Branch maintains a collection of landlord-tenant forms. Use the court's own forms page to find the version it currently provides, and read the accompanying instructions.
Official landlord-tenant forms
Choosing a form is only part of the process. The contents, timing, service, and filing requirements still need to be satisfied.
Understand the Court Process
The District Division's overview brings together information for landlords and tenants, forms, instructions, and an introductory explanation of eviction proceedings.
Judicial Branch landlord-tenant overview
Read older materials alongside the current statute and the October 2026 update above, particularly when preparing a tenant's response.
Locate Your Court
The court directory provides addresses, directions, contact information, and hours. Its towns A–Z directory helps identify the District Division serving a particular community.
If a case is already pending, begin with the court named on the writ or hearing notice. Confirm the location and any remote-attendance instructions in your papers.
Read the Applicable Rules
The rules include a landlord-tenant section and provisions addressing matters such as time computation, motions, and continuances. They should be read together with the governing statutes and orders in the case.
Circuit Court, District Division rules
Do not assume that a deadline or procedure for an ordinary civil case applies in the same way to an eviction.
Explore Mediation
The Judicial Branch provides information about mediation in landlord-tenant matters. A structured conversation may help the parties explore an agreement about the dispute.
Landlord-tenant mediation information
Seeking mediation or discussing a settlement does not, by itself, extend a court deadline or excuse attending a scheduled hearing.
Find Legal Assistance
The court's directory lists lawyer referral services and organizations that may offer free or reduced-cost assistance, including 603 Legal Aid and New Hampshire Legal Assistance.
Judicial Branch legal assistance directory
Eligibility and availability vary. If papers have arrived, mention any return date or hearing date when seeking help.
Read the Statutes in Context
RSA chapter 540 governs actions against tenants. Among its provisions, RSA 540:2 addresses grounds for termination, RSA 540:13 addresses eviction procedure, and RSA 540:13-c addresses discretionary stays of dispossession. The online statutes may display both earlier and amended text; pay attention to the effective-date labels.
Lease expiration and the July 2026 changes are explained in When the Lease Ends: New Hampshire's New No-Fault Termination Law.
Before You Call the Court or an Attorney
Have the court name, case number if one has been assigned, the papers you received, and any dates printed on them in front of you. Court staff can provide procedural information about their office. Advice about which defense to raise, whether a notice is valid, or what relief to request calls for a legal assessment.
Our eviction court glossary explains common terms. The printable tenancy timeline and preparation checklist can help organize the records. Do not delay seeking advice while assembling them.
Runyon Law Office advises both landlords and tenants. Visit our landlord-tenant practice page or contact the Peterborough office to discuss your circumstances.
Links and legal update reviewed October 8, 2026. This guide provides general information; the applicable law and orders in your case control.