Housing

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.

HB 1619 establishes new protections for property owners by prohibiting rent controls, limiting municipal zoning authority to basic health/safety needs, and requiring prompt permit processing. It repeals the InvestNH Program (which provided grants for affordable housing) and the New Hampshire Housing Champion designation. The bill prohibits government takings for private development without just compensation and bans municipal subsidies for specific housing types. These changes directly affect property owners, municipalities, and housing developers by reducing government regulation in housing markets.

HB 1196 repeals New Hampshire's Housing Champion Designation and Grant Program, which provided financial incentives and recognition to municipalities for adopting housing-friendly policies. The bill ends the state's authority to issue new grants or designations under this program, affecting participating municipalities and the Department of Business and Economic Affairs that administered it. Existing contracts (worth approximately $2.6 million) will be honored until June 2027, but no new funding or recognition will be provided after the bill's effective date. The repeal also eliminates the Housing Champion Program Fund and the associated advisory committee.

HB 1016 repeals RSA 674:32, which currently requires New Hampshire municipalities to allow manufactured housing development opportunities. This bill removes a legal mandate forcing towns and cities to permit such housing. After passage, municipalities will no longer be obligated to provide space for manufactured housing developments. The change takes effect 60 days after enactment.

HB 1026 clarifies that accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - small secondary housing units on the same lot as a main home - are not considered manufactured housing. The bill explicitly states that municipalities may prohibit ADUs associated with manufactured housing, such as mobile homes or factory-built units. This change affects local zoning decisions, allowing towns to restrict ADUs in manufactured housing developments while ensuring ADUs remain excluded from the legal definition of manufactured housing. The law updates state definitions to prevent ambiguity in housing regulations.