Senator Perkins Kwoka Introduces Legislation to Assist NH Tenants Amid Statewide Housing Shortage
Contact Name: Marina Altschiller
Phone: (603) 271-3375
CONCORD – Today, Senator Rebecca Perkins Kwoka introduced SB 217 to the Senate Commerce Committee. SB 217 seeks to expand the minimum required notice landlords must give their tenants for evictions from 30 to 90 days in instances when the landlord is seeking to repair, renovate, or sell the rental property.
Prime sponsor Senator Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D-Portsmouth) issued the following statement after the hearing:
“New Hampshire is currently in an extremely tight housing market, with a 0.5% to 1% vacancy rate. Given this crisis, it’s next to impossible to find housing in 30 days with an eviction hanging over your head. This bill will provide additional notice to tenants when they’re being evicted prior to the end of their lease for reasons including property repairs, renovations, or sale of the property. I’ve been pleased to work with both tenants and landlords on this legislation and want this to strike the balance between the needs of landlords while also recognizing the challenge that finding housing presents. The existing housing crisis in New Hampshire has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and any support we can provide to tenants facing eviction for reasons outside their control is an important step we can and should take.”
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