deposit-interest

Security Deposit Interest in New Hampshire: Interest at the rate (2026)

New Hampshire landlords must return security deposits — plus any interest due on deposits held one year or longer (at the regular savings-account… Calculator, statute citation, Last Verified date o

Rule verified: 2026-10-28

Quick answer

Yes — New Hampshire requires landlords to pay interest on qualifying security deposits. New Hampshire landlords must return security deposits — plus any interest due on deposits held one year or longer (at the regular savings-account rate where held) — within 30 days of tenancy termination under RSA 540-A. The rule comes from N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:6 and § 540-A:7. State statute (official text) · 2026-10-28

Calculator pre-loaded with this state:

State pre-filled: New Hampshire — rule applied per N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:6 and § 540-A:7. Switch the state if your property is elsewhere.

StateSecurity deposit ($)Tenancy startTenancy end

The current rate in New Hampshire

New Hampshire does not fix the rate in the statute — it moves with a benchmark: RSA 540-A:7 requires return of the deposit 'and any interest due' within 30 days; multiple secondary sources consistently describe the interest as accruing on deposits held 1 year or more at the regular savings rate of the holding bank. Exact statutory sentence not captured verbatim (official site blocks automated access)..

Because the benchmark resets periodically, always check the current published value before relying on an older figure. Where we have confirmed the current value against the official announcement, the calculator above applies it; where we have not, the calculator says so instead of guessing.

How interest must be paid

Not specified in sources reviewed; simple accrual expected (to be verified) Paid together with the deposit return within 30 days after termination of the tenancy (RSA 540-A:7); at least one secondary source describes annual payment — not confirmed. Deposit plus interest unclaimed for 6 months after termination may become the landlord's property (RSA 540-A:8, search snapshot).

Who the law applies to

Residential tenancies under RSA ch. 540-A; deposit capped at the greater of one month's rent or $100 (RSA 540-A:6)

How New Hampshire compares in the Northeast

State	Rate	Rule
Connecticut	Not less than the 'deposit index' for that year as defined in C.G.S. §	interest required
Delaware	—	no statewide requirement
District of Columbia	Interest accrued in the interest-bearing escrow account at the prevail	interest required
Maine	—	no statewide requirement
Massachusetts	5% per annum, or the lesser amount of interest actually received from	interest required
New Hampshire	Interest at the rate paid on regular savings accounts at the bank wher	interest required
New Jersey	Interest actually earned in the NJ interest-bearing account (no statew	interest required
New York	Interest actually accrued/paid on the deposit in the interest-bearing	interest required
Pennsylvania	Interest earned in the bank escrow account, with the landlord retainin	interest required
Rhode Island	—	no statewide requirement
Vermont	—	no statewide requirement

The statute behind it

| Field | Value | | --- | --- | --- | | Citation | N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:6 and § 540-A:7 | | Official text | www.gencourt.state.nh.us | | Last verified | 2026-10-28 |

Cross-checked against: NH DOJ Consumer Sourcebook — Renting/Security Deposits (official consumer guidance on RSA 540-A).

Statutes get amended. If you are relying on this page — for a move-out, a dispute, or a lease draft — click through to the official text and confirm the current wording.

FAQ

Does New Hampshire require landlords to pay interest on security deposits?

Yes. Under N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:6 and § 540-A:7, qualifying landlords in New Hampshire must pay interest — currently Interest at the rate paid on regular savings accounts at the bank where the deposit is held (due when the deposit is held one year or more). Residential tenancies under RSA ch. 540-A; deposit capped at the greater of one month's rent or $100 (RSA 540-A:6)

How is deposit interest calculated in New Hampshire?

At Interest at the rate paid on regular savings accounts at the bank where the deposit is held (due when the deposit is held one year or more). Not specified in sources reviewed; simple accrual expected (to be verified) The calculator at the top of this page applies exactly this rule to your deposit amount and dates.

When do I get the interest?

Paid together with the deposit return within 30 days after termination of the tenancy (RSA 540-A:7); at least one secondary source describes annual payment — not confirmed. Deposit plus interest unclaimed for 6 months after termination may become the landlord's property (RSA 540-A:8, search snapshot).

Independent second source · 2026-10-28