You can claim it yourself, no finder needed

Checklist: New Hampshire, money left over after a tax-deed sale

Who holds it: The town or city that took the tax deed. When required, it pays the excess into the superior court for the county.

How long: RSA 80:89, VII still says the town's duty to pay the excess ends 3 years after the tax deed is recorded, but the New Hampshire Supreme Court held that limit unconstitutional (Polonsky v. Town of Bedford, 2020): the town owes the excess whenever it sells. Claim it in the superior court case the town files; if no valid claim is made there, the court gives the money to the town. Your right to buy the property back still ends 3 years after the deed is recorded.

How you claim: Within 60 days after the buyer settles, the town files an interpleader in superior court naming former owners and lienholders and pays in the excess; claim in that case. If there were no liens and only one easily found owner, the town pays you directly.

Your deadline: ____________ (confirm it with the clerk)

Steps

1. Watch for the town's certified letter at least 90 days before it sells; you may have a right to buy the property back
2. After the sale, look for the superior court interpleader papers naming you
3. File your claim or response in that superior court case
4. The court divides the money by ownership and liens at the time of the tax deed

Documents

• Proof you owned the property when the tax deed was issued
• Your response in the superior court interpleader case

What it costs you

No claim fee in the statute; the town may keep its costs and attorney fees for the court filing

If someone offers to do it for you

• Fee limits: Not researched yet — ask the clerk.
• You never need to pay anyone to file.

Official links

• RSA 80:88 (distribution of proceeds): https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/V/80/80-88.htm
• RSA 80:89 (notice and repurchase): https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/V/80/80-89.htm