Local Housing Standards, Inspections & Enforcement
Your indoor and outdoor environments can have a significant impact on your health - especially for people who have allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions. Learn more about healthy homes at the links below.
This avenue is supported by both state laws and local health codes. The system usually includes at least three responsible parties who need to work cooperatively to identify and solve housing problems. Remember, it often takes a team approach.
Where do you start?
This image shows the triad of responsibility for managing rental housing concerns. Each person has rights and responsibilities to fulfill if a problem is to be correctly identified and resolved. For example, a tenant is responsible to document and report their concerns, a landlord will be responsible to respond and try to resolve the concerns, and a health inspector is responsible to assess and enforce any existing state or local housing standards.
Tenants
Tenants should document any housing problems in writing and take photos if needed to help others understand your situation. Make sure you contact your landlord as soon as you notice a water leak, plumbing issue, holes in the walls or ceilings, pests like insects or rodents, drinking water issues, or unsafe rails and stairs. Always contact your landlord first before contacting local or state officials so they have a chance to resolve the issue.
Indoor Air Quality
The EPA provides valuable information on protecting or improving air quality in your home, as well as adapting to climate change and emergency situations.
Tenant Rights & Responsibilities
Explore specific rights, laws and protections for tenants in NH, including fair housing laws, legal aid, and more.
Housing Counselors
Housing counselors can help renters navigate a range of home comfort and health issues.
Landlords should be aware of the housing laws and try to resolve any environmental hazard or health issues as resources allow. Property managers and owners have a financial incentive to keep their property healthy and safe, so will usually work with tenants to address the problem as soon as they can.
Landlords
City Housing Standards
View the minimum standards required for rent or lease of a residential dwelling in Rochester, New Hampshire as defined by RSA 540-A:1.
Landlord and Tenant Rights
Review landlord and tenant rights including requirements for security deposits, evictions and more.
Housing Needs
Not sure where to start? Contact your tenant to review their housing needs.
(i.e. Local Town Health Officer)
Health officers should gather information from all parties first via phone or email, and then decide if an inspection is needed. A guide to housing inspections is available in the health officer manual.
Health Inspector
NH Health Officers & Housing
Learn more about the role of health officers and what they can do in New Hampshire.
Rochester Area
Contact a local Rochester Area Local Health Officer for assistance.