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Early Lease Termination Laws in New Hampshire

Since January 1, 2025, a New Hampshire tenant can end a lease when the tenant or a household member was a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, and must move out within 30 days of giving notice.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

New Hampshire at a glance

Domestic violence victims
Yes, vacate within 30 days of notice
Abuse within the past 150 days, with proof such as a protective order, police report, third party verification or court self-certification form. Effective January 1, 2025.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in New Hampshire

Can domestic violence or sexual assault victims end a lease early in New Hampshire?

Yes, vacate within 30 days of notice. Domestic violence victims in New Hampshire: yes, vacate within 30 days of notice. Abuse within the past 150 days, with proof such as a protective order, police report, third party verification or court self-certification form. Effective January 1, 2025.

Where do the New Hampshire early lease termination laws come from?

The rules above come from N.H. Rev. Stat. 540:11-b. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

The departing tenant owes rent only through the later of the termination date or the actual move-out date.

What this means in practice

Read the lease first. Many leases contain an early termination clause, a buyout fee or a sublease option that may be easier to use than a statutory right. A statutory right usually applies even if the lease says nothing about it, and a lease generally cannot waive it.

Statutory early termination rights usually come with conditions. Common ones are written notice to the landlord, a minimum notice period, and proof such as a protective order, police report, military orders or a doctor's statement. Keep copies of everything you send and note the date and method of delivery.

If you leave without a statutory right, you may still owe rent until the unit is re-rented or the lease ends. Where a landlord has a duty to mitigate, it must make reasonable efforts to find a new tenant, and the amount you owe is reduced by rent the landlord collects or reasonably could have collected. Returning keys and documenting the condition of the unit can help limit disputes.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.