NH Landlord Guide
Before you can file for eviction in New Hampshire, the written notice has to go first.
If a tenant has not paid rent, a formal written pay-or-quit notice is the required first step before you can bring any eviction action in court. It has to be in writing, it has to give the tenant 7 days, and it has to be clear about what you are asking.
Write it free below. If you'd rather not deal with the printer and post office, we mail it for you — first class for $10, or certified with a delivery record for $19 (recommended for this notice).
Best fit
- Tenant has not paid rent
- You have not yet filed anything with the court
- You want a properly documented written notice
- You need proof the notice was sent and received
This is the letter you'll send
No guessing about wording. You fill in your details and the builder produces a clean, dated 7-day notice like this one — ready to download or have us mail.
Robert Hale 7 Birch Lane Derry, NH 03038
May 29, 2026
Jason Mercer 19 Elm Street, Apt 2 Derry, NH 03038
Re: 7-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit under New Hampshire RSA 540:3
Dear Jason Mercer,
This letter is written notice that rent is overdue for 19 Elm Street, Apt 2, Derry, NH.
The total rent currently owed is $2,400, covering April and May 2026.
Under New Hampshire RSA 540:3, you must pay the full amount owed or vacate the premises within 7 days of this notice.
Payment should be made by certified funds to the address above. If payment has already been made, contact me immediately so this can be corrected.
If the full amount is not paid and you do not vacate within the notice period, I may begin eviction proceedings in New Hampshire Circuit Court.
Sincerely,
Robert Hale
How it works
Fill in your details
The tenant's name, the rental address, the rent owed, and the notice date. Takes a couple of minutes.
Download free, or let us mail it
Print and mail it yourself at no cost — or hand it off and skip the errand entirely.
We print, stamp, and send
First class for $10, or certified mail with tracking for $19 so you have proof it was delivered.
What RSA 540:3 requires
New Hampshire RSA 540:3 requires landlords to give written notice to a tenant before beginning eviction proceedings. For nonpayment of rent, the statute specifies that the notice period is at least 7 days.
That 7-day notice — commonly called a pay-or-quit notice or notice to quit — must demand that the tenant either pay the full rent owed or vacate the premises within those 7 days. If the tenant pays in full within the 7-day window, the notice is satisfied and the tenancy continues. If neither payment nor vacating occurs, you can then file with the New Hampshire Circuit Court — District Division to begin eviction proceedings.
Skipping the written notice or sending one that is too vague can delay or complicate the eviction process. Judges expect to see a proper, dated written notice as the starting point.
What to put in the notice
- Your name and the rental property address
- The tenant's full name
- The specific amount of rent owed, broken down by month or period if more than one payment is overdue
- The date the notice is being given
- A clear statement that the tenant must pay the full amount owed or vacate within 7 days of the notice date
- Instructions for how payment should be made if the tenant intends to pay
- A statement that failure to pay or vacate may result in eviction proceedings being filed with the court
Keep the language factual and direct. The notice is not the place to argue about the tenancy, list complaints, or negotiate. It is a formal documented demand with a specific deadline.
How to deliver it
New Hampshire law specifies how a notice to quit must be served. Acceptable methods generally include personal delivery to the tenant, leaving a copy at the premises with a person of suitable age, or — where personal service is not possible — other methods outlined in RSA 540:5.
A mailed certified letter with return receipt provides a clear postmark and delivery record, which is valuable if the matter proceeds to court. If you choose to mail, factor in delivery time when counting the 7-day window.
What happens after the 7 days
If the tenant pays in full, the notice is resolved and the tenancy continues. Document the payment date.
If the tenant vacates, document the move-out date and condition of the unit.
If neither happens, you can file for eviction at the NH Circuit Court — District Division in the county where the property is located. The court will schedule a hearing. Bring the original notice and any proof of delivery.
What this notice does not do
A pay-or-quit notice is the required first step, not the whole process. It does not remove the tenant. It does not end the tenancy on its own. And it does not waive any rent owed — if the tenant later pays part but not all of the balance, the situation may need to be re-evaluated.
If the tenant has not paid but has defenses — like claiming the unit has habitability problems — those issues may come up at the court hearing. This guide covers the notice step only. For the full eviction process, consult a qualified New Hampshire attorney or NH Legal Aid.
Official sources
General information only, not legal advice. New Hampshire eviction law has specific procedural requirements that can depend on your tenancy type and circumstances. Consult a qualified attorney before filing any court action.
Choose how it gets mailed
Writing and downloading your notice is always free. You only pay if you want us to handle the printing and mailing. If you mail it, factor in delivery time when counting the 7-day window.
Ready to write it?
Open the New Hampshire pay-or-quit notice template, add the rent amount and service details, then download it free or have Forman3D print and mail it.