Evictions on safety concerns OK'd; cash-strapped tenants urged to add pay plans

Gov. Chris Sununu issued three new emergency orders on Friday, including one that extends the New Hampshire "state of emergency" another 21 days and one that makes clear the responsibilities both landlords and tenants have regarding his no-eviction order from last month.

"Emergency Order #24 makes some clarifications and modifications to Emergency Order #4, the temporary prohibition evictions and foreclosures," said the governor said in a statement to media. "Let me be clear: Emergency Order #4 does not relieve a tenant of an obligation to pay rent."

Sununu urged tenants who have difficulty paying their rent to work with their landlord to develop a payment plan and pay what they can, adding many tenants should be able to utilize expanded unemployment benefits provided by the State and Feds to pay all or part of their rent.

"At the same time, I strongly encourage all landlords to comply with the protections provided by the State and seek to form a workable arrangement with their tenants," Sununu said.

The new order makes clear that landlords may initiate eviction proceedings against tenants who cause damage to property or who present a threat to the health and safety of their neighbors.

"During these challenging times, we must continue to balance the need to provide relief to those struggling financially while ensuring that individuals do not take unfair and harmful advantage of the protections that the State has provided. These orders I am issuing today are intended to do just that," the governor said.