HB 1707 imposes an additional tax on properties left unoccupied for six or more months annually or used as short-term rentals for that period, requiring owners to pay the full local property taxes owed. It also creates a one-time exemption from the real estate transfer tax for first-time homebuyers with household incomes at or below 100% of the HUD-defined median for their area, who do not own other property. The tax applies to property owners, while the exemption directly benefits qualifying low- and moderate-income homebuyers. The bill takes effect April 1, 2027, with a $300,000 estimated one-time implementation cost.
This bill requires New Hampshire municipalities to permit multi-family housing (like apartment buildings) on land currently zoned for commercial use (e.g., stores or offices), provided adequate infrastructure (roads, water, sewage) exists. It also allows towns to mandate ground-floor retail space in new mixed-use developments and block residential use in industrial zones where impacts like noise or pollution might occur. Municipalities can convert existing nonconforming buildings (e.g., outdated structures) to housing without making them more nonconforming. Implementation costs are estimated to be minimal, under $10,000 per municipality.
HB 1654 requires property owners to pay all back taxes and other charges on their property before being issued certain building or occupancy permits. The bill amends state law to allow building inspectors, with local legislative authorization, to withhold these permits until all outstanding financial obligations are settled. This directly affects property owners with unpaid taxes who seek to build or occupy a property. The key mechanism is that permit issuance is contingent on full payment of all taxes and charges due on the property.
HB 1006 changes parking rules for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) by requiring parking to be provided either on-site or at a legally dedicated off-site location only with municipal approval. This removes property owners' previous discretion to choose parking locations without local government permission. Municipalities may require up to one additional parking space per ADU if they require parking for the main house. The bill amends existing law to eliminate owner choice in parking placement for ADUs.
HB 1517 requires business entities (like corporations or LLCs) that own residential properties (such as single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, or quadruplexes) to disclose that a purchase involves an interest in the entity, not the property itself. It bans these entities from restricting the transfer of ownership interests (allowing owners to sell without approval), charging fees for transfers, or discriminating against qualified buyers. The bill also prohibits agreements from mandating disputes be resolved outside state or federal courts. This directly affects entities managing residential properties through ownership arrangements and the owners who purchase interests in them.
HB 1079 allows accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to be built within or attached to existing non-conforming structures, such as garages or older homes that don’t meet current zoning rules for setbacks or lot coverage. It directly affects homeowners with pre-July 1, 2025 structures and municipalities that must permit these conversions without requiring compliance with modern dimensional standards. Key provisions require local governments to allow ADUs in existing structures (including nonconforming ones) and define "existing structure" as built before July 2025. This bill amends New Hampshire law to remove barriers for adding small, secondary housing units in currently permitted structures.
HB 1336 allows landlords to charge a security deposit of up to two months' rent for rental applicants who don't meet standard approval criteria (like low credit scores under 650, insufficient income below 3x rent, eviction history, unpaid judgments, or no rental history). It directly affects landlords setting rental terms and tenants who may be denied standard housing due to these factors. Key provisions require landlords to disclose unmet criteria upfront, provide written notice of the higher deposit reason, and allow tenants to request a re-screening at their expense once every six months to potentially remove the extra deposit. The bill clarifies that landlords aren't forced to accept higher deposits or approve applicants who still don't meet standards, and it has no estimated state or local cost impact.
HB 1011 repeals a state law (RSA 674:16, VIII) that previously prohibited municipalities from creating occupancy rules based on household size or bedroom count in residential areas. This bill directly affects local governments, homeowners, and renters by removing restrictions that limited how communities could regulate housing occupancy. The key provision eliminates the state barrier, allowing towns to establish their own rules for things like multi-family housing or shared living arrangements. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage.
HB 1218 requires mobile home park owners to provide written notice within 14 days to sellers about specific repair needs for a home sale, replacing vague requirements with clear, detailed lists. It mandates park owners to disclose written criteria for approving new tenants and provide sellers with a direct contact method (email/phone) for inquiries, requiring responses within 2 business days. For parks with over 25 units, the bill reduces monthly lot fees by 25% after the first denied qualified buyer (represented by a real estate agent under contract), with an additional 25% reduction per subsequent denial - capping at 75% off the original fee until the home sells. These changes directly affect mobile home sellers, park owners, and prospective buyers in larger mobile home parks, aiming to increase transparency and fairness in the sales process.
SB 509 prevents municipalities from restricting the length of dead-end roads or cul-de-sacs in new subdivisions or building permits, provided the road design meets state fire code requirements. It directly affects developers seeking approval for new residential areas and local governments reviewing subdivision plans or building permits. The bill amends state laws to explicitly prohibit length-based denials when fire access compliance is certified, removing existing municipal restrictions. This creates a clear standard: if a dead-end road passes fire code checks, local governments cannot block development solely due to its length. The policy change applies immediately upon passage, with no additional cost or process for developers.
