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

Bill Text

HB 1553 - AS INTRODUCED

2026 SESSION

 26-2810

 06/07

HOUSE BILL 1553

AN ACT relative to pet-related fees and rent in residential tenancies.

SPONSORS: Rep. Long, Hills. 26; Rep. H. Howard, Straf. 4

COMMITTEE: Housing

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ANALYSIS

 This bill limits monthly pet rent to one percent of the unit’s rent and prohibits nonrefundable pet fees, with some exceptions.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

 Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

 26-2810

 06/07

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT relative to pet-related fees and rent in residential tenancies.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 1 New Chapter; Pet Fees in Rental Housing. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 540-C the following new chapter: 

CHAPTER 540-D

PET FEES IN RENTAL HOUSING

 540-D:1 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to protect tenants and promote housing stability by: 

 I. Limiting monthly pet rent to a reasonable and predictable amount.

 II. Eliminating nonrefundable pet fees that create financial barriers for renters with companion animals. 

 III. Ensuring that landlords retain the ability to protect property while preventing punitive or excessive charges that force tenants to give up pets. 

 540-D:2 Cap on Pet Rent. A landlord shall not demand or receive additional rent from a tenant as a condition of allowing a pet to reside at the residence in an amount that exceeds one percent of the monthly rent of the dwelling unit, regardless of the number of pets kept in the unit.

 540-D:3 Prohibition on Nonrefundable Fees. A landlord shall not demand or receive any additional security deposit beyond that allowed under RSA 540-A:6. Nonrefundable pet fees shall be prohibited under this chapter. 

 540-D:4 Exceptions. 

 I. This chapter shall not apply to service animals or support animals protected under federal or state disability law.

 II. Nothing in this chapter shall prevent a landlord from enforcing lease provisions requiring tenants to repair or pay for actual damage caused by a pet.

 540-D:5 Enforcement. A tenant may bring an action in court for violations of this chapter and may recover actual damages, plus reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs. 

 2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.