A bill that would allow landlords to turf out their tenants at the end of a lease period without stating a reason is again before state legislators. 

Right now, landlords have to give concrete reasons, like property damage or nonpayment of rent, if they want to evict a tenant after a lease ends in a process called “good-cause” eviction. Without that, a tenant could theoretically stay in a unit without that justification. 

A similar bill to House Bill 60 passed the Republican-dominated House of Representatives last year but was sent to study by a voice vote in the state Senate, also led by Republicans. 

The bill’s chief sponsor, Windham Republican Rep. Bob Lynn, said in a hearing last month that current law doesn’t protect landlords enough from potentially problematic tenants. 

“You might say, ‘Alright, I’ve got some questions about this person, but it’s only a year. I’m willing to take the chance for a year, and if things don’t work out, at the end of the year I’m just going to say I’m not renewing the lease.’ But if, as the law is now, you allow that person to come in, you’re stuck with that person literally forever,” he warned. 

During last month’s hearing, some testifiers said the risk is suppressing the number of landlords in the state, limiting housing supply.  

Tenants’ rights activists say older tenants and tenants in hot areas would be put at risk if the measure passes, and could lead to tenants reluctant to report poor-quality housing.  

“It doesn’t matter if you complain about your heat. It doesn’t matter if your children are loud. It doesn’t matter if you’re in an interracial relationship. What matters to a judge, if this law passes, is has your lease expired? That will be the end of the eviction hearing,” New Hampshire Legal Assistance attorney Marta Hurgin said during the hearing.