Bill > HB617

This bill updates the homestead right laws in New Hampshire by increasing the homestead exemption amount from $120,000 to $350,000 for a single person and from $240,000 to $500,000 for all persons with an interest in a property. The bill expands the definition of homestead to include manufactured housing, mobile homes, housing cooperatives, and condominiums, as long as the property is used as a primary dwelling. To qualify for the exemption, a residence must have been continuously used as a primary residence for the previous 12 months, with provisions allowing for protection of proceeds from the sale of a qualifying residence if reinvested within 6 months. The bill also adds new provisions that allow full market value to be claimed as a homestead right in cases of unpaid medical bills or debts resulting from terminal or catastrophic illness, and permits trust beneficiaries to claim the exemption under certain conditions. Additionally, the bill modifies the exemption rules to clarify when the homestead right can be used, including exceptions for tax collection, enforcement of certain liens, and domestic support obligations. The changes aim to provide broader protection for homeowners facing financial challenges, with the new provisions set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_status.aspx?lsr=0603&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=HB617