Can a domestic violence victim end a lease early in New Hampshire?

In New Hampshire, a tenant may end a lease if the tenant or a household member was a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking within the most recent 150 days, or an event in that period related to past abuse makes the victim fear for their safety, by giving the landlord written verification and moving out within 30 days of giving notice, and owes rent only through the termination date or the date the tenant actually leaves, whichever is later. The verification may be written proof of a valid protective order against the perpetrator, of having started legal action to obtain one, or of a report to a law enforcement agency; written verification from a law enforcement official, victim’s advocate, attorney or health care provider; or a signed self-certification form provided by the circuit court. The tenant and landlord may agree on a different move-out date. The landlord must keep the verification, including the fact that someone is a victim, in strict confidence and may disclose it only on the victim’s written request or consent, where relevant and reasonably necessary in an eviction or housing-assistance termination hearing, or as otherwise required by law. Any security deposit stays applied to the rental until all tenants have vacated and is then returned under RSA 540-A:7. The section took effect January 1, 2025. This is RSA 540:11-b.

WhatNew Hampshire
Ending the lease earlyGive verification, then move out within 30 days

What the statute says

“The tenant who has given notice pursuant to paragraph I shall vacate the premises within 30 days of giving notice to the landlord or at any other time as may be agreed upon by the landlord and the tenant.”

Quoted word for word from the section’s text.

Source

RSA 540:11-b

Read the statute in the New Hampshire Revised Statutes (General Court of New Hampshire): gencourt.state.nh.us.

Checked against the statute on November 15, 2026.

This is a summary of a published statute, not legal advice. Rules change, local ordinances can add to them, and the terms of a specific lease may differ. Check the citation and speak to a lawyer before acting.

How Seayora uses this rule

Seayora keeps every lease’s term, rent and signers in one record and dates every change to it. This page states the state’s rule so a lease’s own early-termination and sublet clauses can be checked against it before the lease is signed.

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