When homeowners fall behind on their property taxes, New Hampshire state law allows for municipalities to seize and sell the home to recoup the debt owed. Despite a uniform state law, the way this process is executed is left to local discretion of tax collectors. Legislators have said they will sponsor bills to provide more guardrails to the process and a uniform standards for towns to follow, instate penalties if a town does not return the excess equity to the former owner and create emergency housing funds for owners who are behind.

Sen. Tim Lang, Sanbornton Republican

“Every time you issue a tax credit with one person, unless the town has a reduction in spending, or the state has a reduction in spending, that expense is just spread over everybody else. All of this has to be done with an eye of a fairness, and making sure that you’re not helping one group at the expense of another group.”

Rep. Rebecca McWilliams,Concord Democrat

“If you’re going to lose the roof over your head, stop the presses. Stop everything. Let’s resolve this… It is pretty clear that it’s unfair. It’s unfair when it’s administered at the town level. So if something’s broken, fix it. If it’s unfair at the town level, that needs to be fixed.”

Rep. Angela Brennan,Bow Democrat

“Here’s an idea for a legislative solution: a bill requiring towns to tell struggling homeowners about assistance programs available to them before taking any steps towards taking their home. Some people don’t know there are programs out there that can help. Towns should work with residents to show they value each and every community member.”

Rep. JR Hoell,Dunbarton Republican

“Something is lawfully stolen from the owners, and then they don’t get the benefit of all the residual value… If it isn’t being mandated, or if there is any sufficient penalties, then there should be a change of penalties relative to the role of government, penalizing government for failing to do their job.”

Rep. Michael Moffett, Loudon Republican

“I think that the legislature could and probably should look at some statutes to provide a little bit of definition and protections that maybe aren’t there… There could be a role for the legislature to revisit some statutes and provide some uniformity of protections for some citizens that would in certain municipalities where they’re more at risk.”

Rep. Ellen Read,Newmarket Democrat

“Being a live Free or Die state, we’ve adopted over the last few decades, this mentality that local control is where it’s at. But I think what people are realizing is that it doesn’t matter if it’s local or statewide, any feat of power can become tyrannical. And so what we’re seeing is a lot of municipal governments being in some cases even corrupt, but certainly overly burdensome.”

Rep. Benjamin Baroody,Manchester Democrat

“I don’t think any city or town is going to want to relinquish any of their power they want to do things the way they would. And anytime you try to mandate a city or town on doing anything, they’re going to have a push, but they’re not going to want to be told by the state what to do, especially when it comes to taxes.”