N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 354-A: § 354-A:13
Restrictive Covenants.
Operative Text
I. Every provision in an oral agreement or a written instrument relating to real property which purports to forbid or restrict the conveyance, encumbrance, occupancy, or lease thereof on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin is void. II. (a) Every condition, restriction or prohibition, including a right of entry or possibility of reverter, which directly or indirectly limits the use or occupancy of real property on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin is void. (b) This section shall not apply to a limitation of use on the basis of religion of real property held by a religious institution or organization or by a religious or charitable organization operated, supervised, or controlled by a religious institution or organization, and used for religious or charitable purposes. III. It is a civil rights violation to insert in a written instrument relating to real property a provision that is void under this section or to honor or attempt to honor such a provision in the chain of title.
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 354-A:13 declares void any clause in a real property agreement — written or oral — that restricts the sale, transfer, encumbrance, occupancy, or lease of property based on race, color, religion, or national origin. Conditions or restrictions in a chain of title that limit use or occupancy on those same grounds are equally void and unenforceable. A narrow exception exists for religious institutions or affiliated charitable organizations that restrict use of property held and used for religious or charitable purposes.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 354-A:13, compliant property owners and managers ensure that no lease, deed, or other real property instrument they prepare or execute contains any clause restricting conveyance, occupancy, or use on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin. Operators who discover such language in an existing chain of title generally take steps to avoid honoring or invoking it, since doing so constitutes a civil rights violation under this section. Reviewing governing documents — including older deeds and covenants — for prohibited language is a standard practice consistent with compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 354-A:13 gives tenants and prospective occupants a clear legal basis to challenge any lease clause or property restriction that limits occupancy on grounds of race, color, religion, or national origin, as such provisions are void by operation of New Hampshire law. If a landlord attempts to enforce or rely on such a restriction, that act itself constitutes a civil rights violation under this provision. Individuals who believe this section has been violated may explore filing a complaint with the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights or consult a tenant-rights organization to understand available enforcement paths.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 20, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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