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Legal Information: New Hampshire

Housing Laws

If I stay in my home, can I ask the landlord to change my locks?

If you give the landlord a copy of a protective order that specifically removes (excludes) the abuser from your shared home, you can ask the landlord to change the locks. The landlord cannot give copies of the new keys to the abuser who has been removed.1  

If you ask for the locks to be changed, however the landlord can make you pay the costs. Also, the landlord will not be legally responsible (liable) for any damages caused by changing the locks.1 For example, if the locksmith damages your door or wall, you would be responsible to repair it.

1 N.H. Rev. Stat § 540:2(VII)(b)

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