Housing (Tenant Rights)

failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1371: prohibiting application fees for residential rental agreements.

HB 1371 prohibits landlords from charging application fees to individuals applying for residential rental agreements. It requires landlords to accept standard identification (like government-issued ID, taxpayer ID, or social security number) for background checks instead of requiring a social security number or refusing applications without one. The bill applies only to residential rentals, excluding commercial properties. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits application fees and standardizes ID requirements, reducing financial barriers for renters and protecting tenant rights per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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vetoed · New Hampshire · House Aug 19, 2026

HB 1336: relative to regulated conditional deposits.

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.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingAllows higher security deposits for vulnerable tenants (low credit/income), increasing financial barriers and weakening tenant protections per bill's core provision.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · New Hampshire · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 1450: relative to the designation and control of shared facilities in rental properties.

HB 1450 clarifies and updates rules for residential rental properties with shared common areas like kitchens or bathrooms. It requires written documentation confirming a property is a "shared facility" (where tenants share significant spaces), expands the definition to include renters ("lessees") in designation decisions, and defines "owner" to cover both landlords and renters managing these spaces. The bill specifically applies to standard residential rentals (excluding short-term vacation rentals, hotels, dorms, or institutional housing like shelters). Key changes include making the shared facility status formal in writing and ensuring both renters and landlords have a role in the designation process.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill requires written documentation for shared facilities and includes renters in designation decisions, strengthening tenant input and clarity in housing management.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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signed · New Hampshire · House Jul 16, 2026

HB 1598: relative to notice and proceedings for tenants and landlords engaged in eviction processes.

HB 1598 creates a streamlined eviction process for landlords seeking to remove tenants who fail to pay rent or breach leases in ways affecting health/safety, criminal activity, or drug-related offenses. It requires landlords to provide a 5-day notice with a clear warning about the expedited timeline, giving tenants only 3 days to respond after court filing. If tenants don’t pay or vacate, courts must issue a writ of possession immediately without a hearing - unless the tenant pays all overdue rent within 48 hours. This process limits defenses to just rent payment or the alleged breach, blocking unrelated claims, and restricts stays of execution except for immediate payment. The bill applies to all landlords and tenants in qualifying eviction cases, effective January 1, 2027.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAccelerates evictions for criminal activity/drug offenses without hearing, expanding enforcement and reducing tenant due process - aligns with 'expands criminalization' oppose indicator.85% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill shortens tenant response time and removes hearings, weakening tenant protections in eviction processes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

died · New Hampshire · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 1375: prohibiting landlords from charging more than one application fee per tenant every 12 months.

HB 1375 prohibits landlords from charging more than one application fee per tenant within any 12-month period, regardless of how many rental units the tenant applies for or leases under the same landlord or agent. It specifically covers all fees related to processing rental applications, including background checks, credit checks, and administrative costs. This law directly affects tenants seeking rental housing and landlords managing applications. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment, ensuring tenants pay only one fee for multiple applications to the same landlord within a year.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits multiple application fees, reducing tenant costs and protecting against unfair charges, directly strengthening tenant rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1143: relative to the remediation of mold in rental housing.

HB 1143 requires landlords to fix significant mold problems in rental housing, directly affecting landlords (who must remediate) and tenants (who gain protection from unhealthy conditions). It defines "significant mold" as visible growth or detectable behind walls/carpet using professional tools, adding this as a violation of minimum housing standards. Municipal officers can now inspect properties, issue remediation orders, and pursue enforcement for such violations. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment, giving local authorities clear authority to address mold hazards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires mold remediation in rentals to prevent respiratory illnesses, aligning with public health protection under housing standards.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates landlord remediation of significant mold, directly protecting tenants from unhealthy conditions and enforcing housing standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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signed · New Hampshire · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 1499: relative to additional grounds for eviction under the landlord and tenant statute, relative to the responsibility of local school districts to provide meals to students during school hours, and reimbursing schools for meals provided to students at no cost and making an appropriation therefor.

HB 1499 would expand eviction grounds under New Hampshire's landlord and tenant law by adding three specific conditions: (1) a tenant or occupant being unlawfully present in the U.S., (2) a recent conviction (within 3 years) for certain violent crimes or drug offenses, or (3) being a registered sexual offender under state law. This bill directly affects tenants who meet these criteria, allowing landlords to seek eviction based on these new grounds. The key provision modifies the existing statute to include these three categories as valid reasons for termination of tenancy. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage and does not require new state funding.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands eviction grounds based on criminal history (convictions, sexual offender status), directly aligning with 'expands criminalization' indicator for oppose stance.85% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingExpands eviction grounds for vulnerable tenants (immigrants, convicted individuals), directly weakening tenant protections under housing law.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationExpands eviction grounds for tenants unlawfully present in U.S., restricting housing access for undocumented immigrants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1553: relative to pet-related fees and rent in residential tenancies.

HB 1553 limits landlords to charging no more than 1% of a unit’s monthly rent for pet-related fees, regardless of how many pets a tenant keeps. It bans nonrefundable pet fees entirely, affecting tenants with companion animals and landlords who previously charged such fees. Exceptions include service animals under disability law and charges for actual damage caused by a pet. Tenants can sue landlords who violate these rules and recover damages plus legal costs.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingLimits pet fees to 1% rent, bans nonrefundable charges, and protects tenants from excessive costs - directly strengthens tenant rights and affordability in housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 16, 2026

HB 1171: relative to eviction safeguards for tenants whose Social Security payments are disrupted.

HB 1171 creates a 90-day grace period for renters who miss rent payments due to an unexpected interruption in their monthly Social Security benefits. The bill directly affects residential tenants in New Hampshire whose Social Security payments are halted unexpectedly, providing time to secure alternative housing or funding without facing immediate eviction. It amends state law to require landlords to grant this 90-day extension when rent is missed specifically because of disrupted Social Security payments. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates 90-day eviction grace period for tenants with Social Security disruptions, directly protecting tenant rights and preventing housing instability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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died · New Hampshire · House Aug 20, 2026

HB 1612: relative to the use of price-fixing websites, algorithms, or other software by landlords.

HB 1612 prohibits landlords from using price-fixing websites, algorithms, or software to set rental prices, making such use a violation of New Hampshire's Consumer Protection Act. It directly affects landlords who employ these tools, requiring them to stop using such software or face enforcement actions. The bill establishes a process where tenants or others can file complaints with the Department of Justice's Consumer Protection Bureau, which must investigate these claims. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, and would require one additional attorney position at an estimated annual cost of $72,000 starting in 2027, though no funding is provided in the bill.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits landlords from using price-fixing algorithms to set rents, strengthening tenant protections against unfair pricing practices under consumer law.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyProhibits landlords from using algorithms/software for price-fixing, directly restricting a specific technology application under consumer protection law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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