My thoughts on the bill:
New Hampshire’s housing problem is a supply problem.
HB 1707 does not create new housing units or remove barriers to construction.
Taxing unoccupied or short-term rental properties does not increase supply.
The bill changes who pays taxes, not how many homes exist.
Higher taxes can reduce long-term rental availability.
Owners may sell, keep properties vacant, or shift to other uses rather than provide long-term rentals.
The bill discourages productive use of housing.
Increased costs make housing investment less attractive in an already difficult development environment.
The transfer tax exemption helps only a limited number of buyers.
A one-time tax break does not reduce home prices or competition in a tight market.
Affordability does not improve without more housing.
Tax relief does not lower construction costs, operating costs, or rents.
There is no guarantee of workforce or affordable housing.
The bill does not require or incentivize long-term affordability.
Real solutions focus on increasing supply.
Zoning reform, streamlined permitting, infrastructure investment, and incentives for new construction address the root causes of the crisis.
Bottom Line:
HB 1707 is a tax policy, not a housing solution. It does not increase housing supply and will not meaningfully improve affordability or availability in New Hampshire.
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