habitability protected.
Landlords must maintain fit premises. Tenants may withhold rent for serious defects after notice, raising habitability as a defense to eviction.
What this means for you: Rent withholding (with the rent set aside) is a recognized defense in New Hampshire.
Your next step: Send written notice and set aside withheld rent; consult legal aid.
Source: N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540:13-d. Reviewed 2026-06-16 (needs local verification).
More New Hampshire rights: New Hampshire security deposit · New Hampshire eviction · New Hampshire entry notice · New Hampshire rent increase.
Repairs in nearby states: Maine (habitability protected) · Massachusetts (habitability protected) · Vermont (habitability protected).
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and vary by locality; consult a licensed attorney or your local housing authority.
Updated July 2026