Chad Franz

I am a New Hampshire resident and the owner of a small, non-primary residential property in the White Mountains (Carroll) that is actively used as a short-term rental. I oppose HB1580. HB1580 establishes an arbitrary $500,000 threshold that does not reflect property values in many New Hampshire tourism communities. In areas such as the White Mountains, that threshold captures modest, middle-class homes rather than luxury or speculative properties. As a result, the bill would disproportionately impact small, responsible property owners. My property is not vacant and is not held for speculation. It is actively used, supports local cleaners, tradespeople, and small businesses, and generates Meals and Rooms tax revenue for the state. A surcharge applied solely due to non-primary residence status would significantly increase fixed holding costs, regardless of actual use or economic contribution. Policies that raise fixed costs on actively used non-primary residences in tourism regions risk reducing rental activity, which in turn reduces Meals and Rooms tax collections and broader local economic activity. This approach does not meaningfully address housing availability or affordability and instead penalizes tax-compliant owners who contribute to New Hampshire’s tourism economy. I respectfully urge the committee to vote Inexpedient to Legislate on HB1580.