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New HampshireHB15982025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

(New Title) relative to notice and proceedings for tenants and landlords engaged in eviction processes.

Sponsored By: Dillon J Dumont (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 6 mixed.

Occupants must prove their rental status

In unauthorized-occupant cases, defendants claiming subtenant or implied-tenant status must prove it. Courts can consider all circumstances of an implied agreement. Utility bills, service records, identification, or address papers alone are insufficient without documents authorizing occupancy from the lessor or non-rental property owner. In landlord-tenant protection hearings, each side must share documents it plans to offer at least 5 days before the hearing. If documents are not shared, the court must grant a delay of no more than 5 days when the other side requests one.

Rental occupants face safety and repair duties

Tenants, household members, guests, and other occupants cannot willfully damage the landlord’s property or deny tenants quiet enjoyment. They cannot willfully act in ways that unreasonably harm other tenants’, the landlord’s, or the landlord’s agent’s health or safety, or block emergency repairs. Tenants also cannot willfully block necessary repairs or refuse other reasonable, lawful landlord access at reasonable times with adequate notice. Relief under the amended court-remedy rule requires a hearing on the merits. A person found to violate the specified safety rule can be ordered to leave immediately and stay off the premises and shared areas until another court order.

Renters face firm eviction response deadlines

The law takes effect 90 days after passage. Tenants contesting eviction must file an appearance by the writ’s return day, then an answer listing defenses or counterclaims within 5 days. Tenants can request a hearing recording by checking the appearance form’s box. Requests for evidence must identify the related claim or defense; requests for discovery delays are due within 5 days after the return day, unless good cause or both sides’ agreement allows otherwise. Hearing delays generally require good cause or both sides’ agreement. A previously undisclosed defense gives the landlord up to 7 days to prepare, and the landlord can request longer.

Renters face limits on eviction delays

Courts can delay eviction after judgment, generally for no more than 60 days; a tenant’s default bars this discretionary delay. Up to 75 days is allowed if the tenant proves more time is needed without financial harm, property damage, or ongoing health or safety threats. The court must also find the delay fair under all the circumstances. During the delay, tenants must pay their former rent weekly in advance; a missed payment requires an immediate possession order. Tenants filing post-judgment motions, including reconsideration requests, must keep paying rent as due until the court’s final ruling on the motion.

Unauthorized occupants face removal and damages

When a plaintiff wins an unauthorized-occupant case, the court must order immediate law-enforcement removal and award actual damages or $1,000, whichever is greater. An exception applies when the court finds prohibited subletting and the occupant fails to prove implied-tenant status. In that case, the plaintiff receives no damages under this rule and must give 48 hours’ notice before disposing of remaining belongings. In other covered rental or non-rental property cases, the plaintiff can dispose of remaining belongings without notice, and occupants can face trespass arrest.

Eviction notices follow firm court deadlines

After a tenant defaults, the court must mail notice the next day to the addresses on the summons. If both sides appeared, the court must mail judgment notice promptly, within 2 days after the hearing. If the landlord wins, the court enters judgment and issues the possession order 7 days after mailing that notice. A sheriff’s service delay does not invalidate an order that was valid when the plaintiff directed the sheriff to serve it.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Dillon J Dumont

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Brian D Cole

    Republican • House

  • Calvin Beaulier

    Republican • House

  • Jordan G. Ulery

    Republican • House

  • Sharon M. Carson

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor Ayotte 07/10/2026; Chapter 308; eff. 10/8/2026

    7/16/2026House

  2. Enrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 56

    7/1/2026House

  3. Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15

    6/30/2026Senate

  4. Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2159e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 47

    6/17/2026House

  5. Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2159e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14

    6/17/2026Senate

  6. House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1771s (Rep. Alexander Jr.): MA VV 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 14

    5/21/2026House

  7. Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12

    5/13/2026Senate

  8. Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 05/14/2026; Vote 7-0; CC; SC 18A

    5/12/2026Senate

  9. Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1771s, MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 05/07/2026; SJ 11

    5/5/2026Senate

  10. Committee Amendment # 2026-1771s, AA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11

    5/5/2026Senate

  11. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1771s, 05/07/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17

    4/30/2026Senate

  12. ==ROOM CHANGE== Hearing: 03/31/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:55 pm; SC 12

    3/26/2026Senate

  13. Introduced 02/19/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 5

    2/25/2026Senate

  14. Referral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 112

    2/19/2026House

  15. Referred to Finance 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 39

    2/19/2026House

  16. Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0463h: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 24

    2/19/2026House

  17. Amendment # 2026-0463h: AA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 24

    2/19/2026House

  18. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0463h (NT) 02/03/2026 (Vote 15-3; CC) HC 7 P. 15

    2/18/2026House

  19. Full Committee Work Session: 02/03/2026 09:45 am GP 231

    1/28/2026House

  20. Executive Session: 02/03/2026 10:00 am GP 231

    1/28/2026House

  21. Subcommittee Work Session: 01/28/2026 09:00 am GP 231

    1/21/2026House

  22. ==CANCELLED== Subcommittee Work Session: 01/26/2026 10:00 am GP 231

    1/21/2026House

  23. Public Hearing: 01/20/2026 11:00 am GP 231

    1/8/2026House

  24. Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Housing HJ 1 P. 27

    12/10/2025House

Bill Text

  • As Amended

    6/17/2026

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    6/17/2026

    HTML

  • Introduced

    12/10/2025

    PDF

  • CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION

    PDF

  • Version adopted by both bodies

    PDF

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