N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 48-A: § 48-A:14
Minimum Standards Established.
Operative Text
No landlord, as defined by RSA 540-A:1, I, renting or leasing a residential dwelling in a municipality which has not adopted ordinances, codes or bylaws pursuant to this chapter shall maintain those rented premises in a condition in which: I. The premises are infested by insects and rodents where the landlord is not conducting a periodic inspection and eradication program; I-a. The premises are infested by bed bugs and the landlord is not conducting a periodic inspection and remediation program. In this paragraph "remediation" means action taken by the landlord that substantially reduces the presence of bed bugs in a dwelling unit for a period of at least 60 days; II. There is defective internal plumbing or a back-up of sewage caused by a faulty septic or sewage system; III. There are exposed wires, improper connectors, defective switches or outlets or other conditions which create a danger of electrical shock or fire; IV. The roof or walls leak consistently; V. The plaster is falling or has fallen from the walls or ceilings; VI. The floors, walls or ceilings contain substantial holes that seriously reduce their function or render them dangerous to the inhabitants; VII. The porches, stairs or railings are not structurally sound; VIII. There is an accumulation of garbage or rubbish in common areas resulting from the failure of the landlord to remove or provide a sufficient number of receptacles for storage prior to removal unless the tenant has agreed to be responsible for removal under the rental agreement and the landlord has removed all garbage at the beginning of the tenancy; IX. There is an inadequate supply of water or whatever equipment that is available to heat water is not properly operating; X. There are leaks in any gas lines or leaks or defective pilot lights in any appliances furnished by the landlord; or XI. The premises do not have heating facilities that are properly installed, safely maintained and in good working condition, or are not capable of safely and adequately heating all habitable rooms, bathrooms and toilet rooms located therein, to a temperature of at least an average of 65 degrees F.; or, when the landlord supplies heat in consideration for the rent, the premises are not actually maintained at a minimum average room temperature of 65 degrees F. in all habitable rooms.
New Hampshire Revised Statutes § 48-A:14 establishes baseline habitability standards that apply to residential rental properties in municipalities that have not enacted their own local housing codes. The provision lists specific conditions that landlords are prohibited from allowing to persist, including pest infestations without active remediation programs, structural deficiencies, plumbing and sewage failures, electrical hazards, gas leaks, inadequate water supply, and insufficient heating. For heating specifically, the law sets a minimum average room temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit in all habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms. These standards define the floor of acceptable residential conditions across the state where local ordinances do not otherwise apply.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 48-A:14, property owners renting residential units in municipalities without local housing codes are expected to maintain active inspection and eradication programs for insects and rodents, as well as separate inspection and remediation programs for bed bugs — where remediation must substantially reduce bed bug presence for at least 60 days. Compliant operators generally keep structural elements such as roofs, walls, floors, porches, stairs, and railings in sound condition, and ensure that all plumbing, electrical systems, gas lines, and landlord-supplied appliances are properly functioning. When heat is included as part of the rental arrangement, operators are generally expected to maintain an average room temperature of at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit in all habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms throughout the heating season.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 48-A:14 gives tenants in municipalities without local housing codes a defined set of minimum conditions their landlord is prohibited from allowing, covering everything from pest infestations and structural hazards to gas leaks and inadequate heat. If a rental unit falls below these standards — for example, if heating is not maintained at an average of 65 degrees Fahrenheit or if sewage backs up due to a faulty system — tenants may have grounds to raise a violation of this provision. General enforcement paths can include contacting the New Hampshire Department of Housing or a local code enforcement office, documenting conditions thoroughly, or consulting a tenant-rights organization to understand which options may be available in a given situation.
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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