prohibiting application fees for residential rental agreements.
Summary
HB 1371 would prohibit landlords and their agents from charging application fees to people applying for residential rental units in New Hampshire. The bill applies only to residential rental agreements; it does not affect application fees for commercial or other nonresidential property. It also requires landlords to accept certain forms of identification for background or credit checks, including government-issued ID, an individual taxpayer identification number, or a Social Security number.
The bill further bars landlords from requiring a Social Security number as a condition of completing a rental application or rejecting an application because the applicant does not have one. If enacted, the measure would add a new section to RSA 356-C governing tenant protections and residential rental application practices, and it would take effect 60 days after passage.
Impact
HB 1371 would amend RSA 356-C by creating a new statutory provision regulating residential rental application procedures. It would eliminate application fees for residential dwellings, set limits on what identifying information landlords may require for screening, and prohibit denial of an application based solely on the absence of a Social Security number. The bill would directly affect landlords, property managers, rental agents, and prospective tenants, especially applicants who may face financial barriers or lack a Social Security number.
Sentiment
No committee transcript or recorded vote information was provided, so there is no documented debate or vote history to gauge support or opposition. Based on the bill’s sponsors and subject matter, the measure appears to be framed as a tenant-protection bill aimed at reducing barriers to housing access. The available context suggests a straightforward policy proposal rather than one with recorded procedural controversy.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is the restriction on landlords’ ability to charge application fees, which some may view as limiting cost recovery for screening and administrative work. Another likely issue is the prohibition on requiring a Social Security number, since landlords may argue they need that information for screening, while supporters would emphasize access for applicants who do not have one. The bill’s acceptance of alternative identification and taxpayer identification numbers appears designed to balance screening needs against tenant access concerns.
Relative to expedited driveway permitting of major entrances for residential use of 20 units or greater and the time frame for approval or denial of permit applications.
Prohibiting state government entities from including specified terms related to labor organization agreements in construction related contracts and grants.
Creating a public county registry of the monthly rent charged by landlords for each owned unit and prohibiting landlords from using algorithms or software to determine rental rates.