Renting property can be tricky business. Landlords hand their apartments and houses –at least for a time – over to virtual strangers. And tenants have no real control over such matters as broken fixtures and dilapidated buildings. At times, these two groups can be at odds, leading to disputes that end up in court proceedings.
In New Hampshire, the balance of power between tenants and landlords has shifted in recent years – with more protections now in place for tenants, including greater liability for landlords over lead paint issues. But some landlords are fighting to regain some control. Recent legislation would have allowed landlords to more easily oust tenants. But renter advocates prevailed, citing fears that low and middle-income families in particular could be victims of retaliatory landlords.
Guests:
Elliott Berry, Managing Attorney of NH Legal Assistance.
Debbie Valenti: landlord and President of the NH Property Owners Association.
We'll also hear from:
Maggie Fogarty, NH Economic Justice Coordinator for American Friends Service Committee. She also works on tenant empowerment for the Granite State Organizing Project.
Dick Anagnost, President of Anagnost Investments, INC. He has more than 30 years of experience in real estate and land development in Manchester, Northern New England, and internationally.