Julie Barras

Dear Chairman and Members of the House Ways and Means Committee, My name is Julie Barras, and I am a New Hampshire property owner who operates a short-term rental in the state. I am writing to respectfully oppose HB1580. HB1580 proposes a surcharge on non-primary residences valued over $500,000. While this may appear targeted at “luxury” properties, in reality it would significantly impact responsible short-term rental owners like myself who depend on this income to offset rising costs such as property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and utilities. Short-term rentals are already heavily taxed. As hosts, we pay the New Hampshire Meals and Rooms Tax on every booking, generating meaningful revenue for the state. Adding an additional surcharge based solely on property value unfairly penalizes homeowners who are already contributing more than their share. Many STR owners are not large investors — we are individuals and families who have invested in New Hampshire communities and maintain our properties at a high standard. These homes bring visitors who support local restaurants, shops, contractors, and service providers, especially in rural areas where tourism is essential to the local economy. HB1580 risks making it financially impossible for many responsible hosts to continue operating, ultimately reducing tourism revenue and harming small businesses. I urge the committee to consider the unintended consequences of this bill and to oppose HB1580. Thank you for your time and consideration. Respectfully, Julie Barras