The bill grants municipalities the authority to adopt bylaws that regulate rental practices, specifically concerning the notice period required before a rent increase and the maximum allowable rent increase for residential properties. It amends RSA 31:39, I by adding new subparagraphs (q) and (r), which stipulate that the notice for a rent increase must be at least 30 days and allow municipalities to regulate the maximum rent increase for "restricted property" as defined in RSA 540:1-a, II.

Additionally, the bill modifies RSA 540:2, IV to require that landlords provide tenants with written notice of rent increases in accordance with municipal bylaws, if any, at least 30 days before the effective date. It introduces a new provision, IV-a, which protects tenants from eviction for nonpayment of rent if they have a pending complaint challenging the rent increase based on municipal bylaws, or if the municipality has found the landlord's rent increase to be in violation of these bylaws. The act also specifies that tenants must have paid all rent due except for the contested amount or the amount deemed in violation by the municipality. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 540:2