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HB 1553 · 2026 · House · Housing Committee

Limits on pet fees and rent

AI-generated

relative to pet-related fees and rent in residential tenancies.

Limits monthly pet rent to one percent of a rental unit's rent and prohibits nonrefundable pet fees, with certain exceptions.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 19, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill limits monthly pet rent to one percent of the unit’s rent and prohibits nonrefundable pet fees, with some exceptions.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Patrick LongDPrime
  • Rep. Heath HowardDDeputy Ranking Member· Executive Departments and Administration

Public testimony

52 signed in online · 10 wrote testimony

88% support12% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Excessive pet fees disproportionately affect renters and families. Reasonable limits help keep housing accessible while allowing responsible pet ownership.”
— Hannah Meiselman, Machestersupports
“I urge you to pass HB 1553 so pet owners who rent have more affordable options for housing. Thank you.”
— Joanne Therrien, Doversupports
“As someone who rented property with a companion animal and paid a monthly fee, I understand that animal companions cost money and that the monthly charge helps cushion the landlord from damages caused by a pet in the case of eviction or refusal to pay damages.…”
— Anita Fernandez, Manchestersupports
“This limitation will cause more landlords to ban pets entirely”
— Roy Schweiker, Concordopposes
“Kitties and puppies are cute. But they scratch floors. They pee. They shed. And sometimes they vomit and poop especially when they are sick. They do these things no matter how sweet, how adorable, or how well loved they are.…”
— Jon Kelly, Concordopposes
“Vote ITL because: ~This will be very harmful to pet owners by driving many more landlords to just simply not accept pets. ~Does not allow recouping for extra management troubles when there is a pet ~1% of rent is insignificant to the cost of pet damage and extra management.…”
— Kathleen Lord, NORTHWOODopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-279:00 amHouse HousingGP 231Public hearing
  • 2026-02-0310:00 amHouse HousingGP 231Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Housing HJ 1 P. 25
  2. Jan 27, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/27/2026 01:30 pm GP 231
  3. Feb 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/03/2026 10:00 am GP 231
  4. Feb 3, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/03/2026 (Vote 17-1; CC) HC 7 P. 15
  5. Feb 19, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 24

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.