Text to be removed highlighted in red.
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.
Text to be added highlighted in green.
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.