Which disclosures must a New Hampshire lease include?
New Hampshire landlord-tenant law is governed by RSA 540 and 540-A. Beyond the universal federal lead rule, the disclosures a New Hampshire landlord must give at or around lease signing are:
| Disclosure | Authority | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| Security deposit receipt | RSA 540-A:6 | When a deposit is taken |
| Lead-based paint hazard + EPA pamphlet | Title X (federal) | Housing built before 1978 |
The main New Hampshire lease disclosures
Security deposit receipt (RSA 540-A:6): the landlord must "forthwith" give a signed receipt stating the amount and where the deposit is held, and notify the tenant to report needed repairs within 5 days of occupancy.
Federal lead-based paint disclosure
For older housing this is the one disclosure no New Hampshire landlord can skip. If the dwelling predates 1978, Title X (42 U.S.C. § 4852d) requires a signed lead-warning disclosure, disclosure of any known lead hazards, delivery of any available records, and the EPA pamphlet Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home. Non-compliance carries civil penalties and, in egregious cases, criminal ones.
What happens if a New Hampshire landlord skips a required disclosure?
Consequences depend on the disclosure:
- Deposit-handling violations under RSA 540-A can expose the landlord to statutory damages.
- Terminating a tenant of "restricted property" without good cause is unlawful under RSA 540:2.
- A federal lead-paint violation carries civil and, in egregious cases, criminal penalties plus liability for tenant damages.
For the full set of New Hampshire lease rules — deposits, late fees, and notice periods — see What Must a New Hampshire Lease Agreement Include. Managing rentals in more than one state? Compare New Hampshire's list with our Massachusetts and Maine disclosure checklists, and see the baseline in What Every Residential Lease Agreement Must Include.
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Create your New Hampshire lease agreement →Frequently asked questions
What disclosures are required in a New Hampshire lease?
A New Hampshire lease must include security deposit receipt (RSA 540-A:6), plus the federal lead-based paint disclosure for pre-1978 housing.
Does New Hampshire require a security deposit receipt disclosure?
Yes. the landlord must "forthwith" give a signed receipt stating the amount and where the deposit is held, and notify the tenant to report needed repairs within 5 days of occupancy (RSA 540-A:6).
Does New Hampshire require a lead-paint disclosure?
Yes, for pre-1978 housing. This is a federal requirement: the signed lead-warning disclosure, known records, and the EPA pamphlet.
Official sources
Primary statutes and official government references for this guide. Statutes change — always confirm against the current official text before you act.