New HampshireFailed bill would let some rental applicants offer larger deposits
The failed measure would have let some rental applicants offer an extra deposit and allowed landlords to accept advance rent for future rental periods.
What it does
Applicants who miss certain rental screening standards could offer an extra deposit of up to one month’s rent. A landlord could accept it, but would not have to.
Landlords could accept advance rent for consecutive rental periods, starting with the first period a tenant has not paid. The proposed measure would not require them to hold it in a separate account.
Argument forSome applicants who miss listed screening standards might still be able to rent if a landlord accepts an extra deposit, and later request another screening.
Argument againstApplicants who miss certain screening standards might need to pay up to one extra month’s rent to secure a home, adding to their upfront costs.
More detail
The proposed measure would let an applicant offer, and a landlord accept or suggest, an extra regulated deposit. This applies when an applicant misses a listed standard for credit score, income, certain eviction records, recent unpaid judgments, or landlord references that the prospective landlord could not verify. The landlord would not have to accept the deposit or approve the applicant. Before the application and any application fee, the landlord must disclose the unmet standard. Before accepting the deposit, the landlord must give written reasons, explain the right to request a new screening, and disclose any screening fee. The proposed measure would take effect January 1, 2027.
The proposed measure would treat advance rent as rent, not as a security deposit, and would not require landlords to hold it in a separate account. This concerns advance rent payments from tenants to landlords. A landlord could accept advance rent only for consecutive rental periods, starting with the first period not yet paid. The proposed measure would take effect January 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Aug 19Veto Sustained 08/19/2026: RC 159-155 Lacking Necessary Two-Thirds Vote HJ 16 P. 27Latest
- Vote recorded Veto Override. Result: pass.Lower
- Jul 10Vetoed by Governor Kelly Ayotte Ayotte 07/02/2026Major
- Jun 23Enrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 52To Governor
- Jun 23Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14Minor
- May 21House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1724s (Rep. Alexander Jr.): MA RC 180-162 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 12
- Vote recorded Concur. Result: pass.Lower
- May 14Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1724s, RC 14Y-9N, MA; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Committee Amendment. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Ought to Pass w/Amendment. Result: pass.Upper
- May 14Committee Amendment # 2026-1724s, RC 14Y-9N, AA; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
- May 14Sen. Lang Moved to Remove From Table, MA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
- May 7Pending Motion Committee Amendment # 2026-1724s; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
- May 7Sen. Murphy Moved Laid on Table, MA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11Minor
- Apr 28Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1724s, 05/07/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 17Minor
- Mar 18Hearing: 03/31/2026, Room 100, SH, 09:30 am; SC 11
- Mar 17Introduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 7Minor
- Mar 11Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1100h and 2026-0763h: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 221Passed House
- Vote recorded Table. Result: fail.Lower
- Mar 11Amendment # 2026-1100h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 218
- Mar 11Lay HB1336 on Table (Rep. D. Paige): MF RC 157-177 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 216
- Mar 11Amendment # 2026-0763h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 214
- Mar 4Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
- Mar 4Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0763h 03/03/2026 (Vote 9-8; RC) HC 10 P. 54Minor
- Feb 17Executive Session: 03/03/2026 10:00 am GP 231
- Jan 14Public Hearing: 01/27/2026 10:30 am GP 231
- Aug 19Veto Sustained 08/19/2026: RC 159-155 Lacking Necessary Two-Thirds Vote HJ 16 P. 27Latest
- 2025
- Dec 1Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Housing HJ 1 P. 16Introduced
Housing