(e) The written verification provided to the lessor or owner, including the fact that an individual is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, shall be maintained in strict confidence. The lessor or owner shall not disclose this information to any other entity or individual, except to the extent that disclosure is:
(1) Requested or consented to in writing by the tenant or household member of the tenant who is the victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking;
(2) Relevant and reasonably necessary for use in an eviction proceeding or hearing regarding termination of housing assistance; or
(3) Otherwise required by applicable law.
(f) Nothing in this section shall preclude eviction for nonpayment of rent. A landlord may evict on any grounds set forth in RSA 540:2, II which are unrelated to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
(g) The defense set forth in subparagraph VII(a) shall be an affirmative defense to possessory actions brought pursuant to subparagraph II(b), (c), (d), or (e) of this section.
[Paragraph VIII effective July 1, 2026.]
VIII. No-fault termination of tenancy shall not be considered an eviction for the purposes of rental applications and tenant screening reports by the lessor or the lessee. For the purposes of this section, "no-fault termination of tenancy" shall mean any termination of tenancy under RSA 540:2, II(i). The court handling any no-fault termination of tenancy shall make note in court documentation of the termination of tenancy proceeding that the termination of tenancy was at no fault of the tenant. This subparagraph shall not be construed to limit a landlord's ability to perform due diligence inquiries regarding a prospective tenant.