RR
Rent Regulations

N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 48-A: § 48-A:8

Additional Provisions of Ordinances, Codes, or Bylaws.

In Force
Verified 10/20/2026 · Next check 10/27/2026
effective 10/20/2026New HampshireInspections, Registration & Licensing

Operative Text

N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 48-A: § 48-A:8
An ordinance, code or bylaw adopted by the governing body of the municipality may authorize the public agency and its delegated officers to exercise such powers as may be necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of this chapter, provided that such powers shall not be used to impose any additional restrictions on dwellings used as a vacation rental or short-term rental. Such powers shall include the following powers in addition to others herein granted:
I. To investigate the dwelling conditions in the municipality in order to determine which dwellings therein are unfit for human habitation;
II. To administer affirmations, examine witnesses and receive evidence;
III. To enter upon premises for the purpose of making examinations, provided that such entries shall be made in such manner as to cause the least possible inconvenience to the persons in possession, and to obtain an administrative inspection warrant under RSA 595-B for this purpose from a court of competent jurisdiction in the event entry is denied or resisted;
IV. To appoint and fix the duties of such officers, agents and employees as deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of such ordinance, code or bylaw;
V. To delegate any of its functions under such ordinance to such officers as it may designate; and
VI. To establish penalties for violations of such ordinance, code, or bylaw, which shall be in addition to any other remedies provided under this chapter. The penalty for any separate offense shall not exceed the maximum penalty permitted under RSA 47:17, and may be enforced pursuant to the procedure established in RSA 31:39-c, RSA 31:39-d, or both, subject to the provisions and limitations thereof, or in any other manner authorized by law. For purposes of any fines imposed hereunder, each day that a violation of the ordinance, code, or bylaw continues shall be considered a separate offense.
Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim
Plain English

New Hampshire Revised Statutes § 48-A:8 sets out the range of powers that a municipality may grant to its public housing agency through a local ordinance, code, or bylaw. These powers include investigating dwellings for habitability, entering properties for inspections (with a warrant if access is denied), administering evidence, and establishing penalties for violations. Notably, the provision explicitly bars these powers from being used to impose additional restrictions on vacation rentals or short-term rentals, and it caps penalties at the maximum allowed under RSA 47:17, with each day a violation continues counting as a separate offense.

Written by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 · Reviewed on October 20, 2026

Plain English — not legal advice.

For Property Managers

Under § 48-A:8, a municipality that has adopted a qualifying ordinance, code, or bylaw may authorize inspectors to enter rental properties to assess habitability conditions, with the least possible disruption to occupants. If entry is denied, the agency may seek an administrative inspection warrant under RSA 595-B. Operators of compliant properties generally maintain accessible records, respond promptly to inspection requests, and correct any cited deficiencies quickly, since each day a violation persists can be treated as a separate offense subject to fines up to the RSA 47:17 maximum.

General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.

For Tenants

Section § 48-A:8 gives locally authorized housing agencies the power to investigate dwelling conditions and take action against properties found unfit for human habitation. Tenants living in substandard conditions may be able to prompt an inspection by contacting the relevant municipal public agency, which has authority under this provision to examine the premises and pursue enforcement. Tenants who believe their dwelling is unsafe may also wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service to understand what local ordinances have been adopted under this chapter and what remedies may be available to them.

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.

Effective Timeline

Current
Oct 20, 2026
Click on timeline segments to view historical versions.

References Out

Rules and statutes cited by this regulation

N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 595-B
Not yet ingested
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 47:17
Not yet ingested
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 31:39-c
Not yet ingested
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 31:39-d
Not yet ingested

References In

Rules and statutes that cite this regulation

N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 48-A
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 48-A:3
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 48-A:14
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 48-A:7
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 48-A
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 48-A:4
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 48-A:3
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 48-A:2
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 48-A:14
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 48-A:6
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 48-A
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 48-A:14
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 48-A

Related Rules

§ 14.544
LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
§ 14.545
STANDARDS FOR HEALTH, SAFETY AND NUISANCE PREVENTION
§ 14.546
SANCTIONS AND PENALTIES

Source Information

Source:https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/III/48-A/48-A-8.htm
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