HB181 (2017) Compare Changes


The Bill Text indicates a new section is being inserted. This situation is not handled right now, and the new text is displayed in both the changed and unchanged versions.

Unchanged Version

Text to be removed highlighted in red.

1 New Subdivision; Repair of Private Roads. Amend RSA 231 by inserting after section 89 the following new subdivision:

Repair of Private Roads

231:89-a Repair of Private Roads.

I. The owner of any residential property that abuts a private road, the purpose of which is to provide access to such property, shall be responsible for the cost of maintaining the road in good repair and for the cost of repairing or restoring any damaged portion of the road. Maintenance shall include, but not be limited to, the removal of snow from the road.

II. If more than one residential property abuts a private road, the cost of maintaining, repairing, or restoring such road shall be shared by each owner pursuant to the terms of any enforceable written agreement entered into for such purpose. In the absence of such agreement, the cost of maintaining, repairing, or restoring such road shall be shared by each owner of a residential property in proportion to the benefit received by each such property.

III. Any owner of a residential property abutting a private road who directly or indirectly damages any portion such road shall be solely responsible for repairing or restoring the portion damaged by such owner.

IV. If any owner of a residential property abutting a private road refuses to repair or restore a damaged portion of such road under paragraph III, or fails, after a demand in writing, to pay his or her proportion of the cost of maintaining, repairing, or restoring such road under paragraph II, an action for specific performance or contribution may be brought in superior court against such owner by other owners residential property abutting the private road, either jointly or severally.

V. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this section and an agreement under paragraph II, the terms of the agreement shall control.

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

Changed Version

Text to be added highlighted in green.

1 New Subdivision; Repair of Private Roads. Amend RSA 231 by inserting after section 89 the following new subdivision:

Repair of Private Roads

231:89-a Repair of Private Roads.

I. The owner of any residential property that abuts a private road, the purpose of which is to provide access to such property, shall be responsible for the cost of maintaining the road in good repair and for the cost of repairing or restoring any damaged portion of the road. Maintenance shall include, but not be limited to, the removal of snow from the road.

II. If more than one residential property abuts a private road, the cost of maintaining, repairing, or restoring such road shall be shared by each owner pursuant to the terms of any enforceable written agreement entered into for such purpose. In the absence of such agreement, the cost of maintaining, repairing, or restoring such road shall be shared by each owner of a residential property in proportion to the benefit received by each such property.

III. Any owner of a residential property abutting a private road who directly or indirectly damages any portion such road shall be solely responsible for repairing or restoring the portion damaged by such owner.

IV. If any owner of a residential property abutting a private road refuses to repair or restore a damaged portion of such road under paragraph III, or fails, after a demand in writing, to pay his or her proportion of the cost of maintaining, repairing, or restoring such road under paragraph II, an action for specific performance or contribution may be brought in superior court against such owner by other owners residential property abutting the private road, either jointly or severally.

V. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this section and an agreement under paragraph II, the terms of the agreement shall control.

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