HB 1553 · 2026 · House · Housing Committee
Limits on pet fees and rent
AI-generatedrelative 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- ✓Introduced
- ✕House
- Senate
- Governor
- 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.
In the bill's words
Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site
“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.”
“A landlord shall not demand or receive any additional security deposit beyond that allowed under RSA 540-A:6.”
“This chapter shall not apply to service animals or support animals protected under federal or state disability law.”
“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.”
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
- 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.”
“I urge you to pass HB 1553 so pet owners who rent have more affordable options for housing. Thank you.”
“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.…”
“This limitation will cause more landlords to ban pets entirely”
“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.…”
“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.…”
Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.
Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026
Votes
yeanay- Feb 3, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate17–1Overall94% yea
- Feb 19, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted
Hearings and debates
- Jan 27, 2026Public hearingHouse Housing4:36:32–4:38:291m 57slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
- Feb 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Housing1:28:24–1:29:331m 9slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
- Feb 19, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote
Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.
Legislative history
- Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Housing HJ 1 P. 25
- Jan 27, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/27/2026 01:30 pm GP 231
- Feb 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/03/2026 10:00 am GP 231
- Feb 3, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/03/2026 (Vote 17-1; CC) HC 7 P. 15
- 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.