Legal Question in Real Estate Law in New Hampshire

How Much Rent May be Demanded Prior to Signing a Lease?

Unless NH law specifically directs otherwise, and this question is posed prior to the signing of the lease, the landlord may demand the entire year's rent in advance.

In GA, a landlord does not have to rent to you at all. He or she may set the terms of 12 months in advance and it will be legal. In certain rent controlled jurisdictions, I am informed there are ordinances against such residential demands. However, I doubt that is the case with NH, but for the exact legal answer you need to consult with a NH lawyer.

Security Deposit

It is legal in New Hampshire for a landlord to demand Three months rent, first, last and a security deposit.

Three months rent is not illegal. In Mass., it's S.O.P.

(Standard operating procedure.)

There are limits, for example, on how much may be charged to the renter as a finder's fee by thoseagencies that do that work. But that's a differentstory.

There could be a limit on how much security a landlord can ask for and even on how much advancedrent he can require, but certainly the case you gave, 3 months total, is within NH bounds, I believe.

Note that in Mass. (and MAYBE in NH), failure to promptly return the security 30 days after you leave(or to account for damages requiring withholdingthereof) subjects the landlord automatically to a2 or 3 times penalty PLUS attorneys fees. There areMass. lawyers who just pursue those cases because it'sshort (easy to collect) money.