Move-Out Checklist (New Hampshire)
If you are about to move out, the goal is simple:
Make the condition, termination date, possession date, and forwarding-address record easy to prove later.
Most deposit fights get harder when those details are missing.
The best time to protect the deposit is before the landlord controls the story.
Before You Move Out
Document the condition
- take clear photos of every room
- photograph walls, floors, appliances, bathrooms, doors, and windows
- capture anything that could later be called damage
Take photos before and after cleaning.
Confirm the end date and response address
New Hampshire's 30-day rule runs from tenancy termination.
Put the termination date, possession-delivery plan, and forwarding address in writing and keep proof that you sent it.
If your rental may involve a coverage exception, save the lease and rental-arrangement facts too. Coverage can matter in some owner-occupied buildings and some single-family arrangements.
On Move-Out Day
- take a full set of photos again
- make sure the unit is empty
- return keys or otherwise deliver possession
- save proof of the date you actually delivered possession
- confirm where the landlord should send the deposit response
After You Move Out
Track whether the landlord sends:
- your refund balance
- any interest due
- a written itemized statement if deductions are taken
- repair evidence if damage deductions are claimed
If a deduction is for damage, compare the itemized statement and repair evidence to your photos. Reasonable wear and tear is not deductible.