Buying a condo in New Hampshire?

Look at the budget, savings, and upcoming work together

New Hampshire's budget process calls for owners to receive a summary that includes reserves and how they are calculated and funded. That disclosure does not establish that the amount saved is enough for the work ahead. [3]

Ask for the current reserve balance, planned contributions, any reserve study, and a list of major projects. Read the declaration and bylaws for funding responsibilities. Your lender may impose additional requirements.

For an association with little or no regular fee, ask how shared repairs and insurance are paid. “No condo fee” does not necessarily mean no shared expense.

Understand special assessments

An extra charge may fund work beyond the regular budget. Ask about assessments approved, proposed, or discussed, as well as association loans. New Hampshire provides procedures for budget and assessment approval, including emergency assessments. [3]

Get the amount for the unit, purpose, due dates, and remaining balance in writing. Have your contract address who pays and what happens if circumstances change before closing.

Request the association information early

Where RSA 356-B:58 applies, a prospective resale buyer may request specified association information before the contract date. A written request generally starts a 10-day response period. The information includes reserves, anticipated major work, financial statements, certain litigation, insurance, governing documents, fees, and assessments from the last three years. Exemptions matter. [1]

Also request the current budget, available reserve studies, recent minutes, inspection or engineering reports, and details of proposed assessments. Ask for explanations of missing or outdated records.

A July 2026 change matters for smaller condos

Effective July 2, 2026, New Hampshire expanded the unit-count exemption in RSA 356-B:49 from 10 to 25 units. It concerns the sale and disclosure subdivision that contains Section 58; it is not an exemption from all condominium obligations. Time-share interests are excluded from this unit-count exemption. [2]

Buyer takeaway: for a project with 25 or fewer units, have your attorney determine which statutory provisions apply and arrange document delivery and review rights in your contract. Do not assume an association must supply every item under Section 58 or that a missing document automatically lets you cancel.

New construction, conversions, and older ownership arrangements need their own review. Ask your attorney which disclosures, warranties, deposit protections, and deadlines apply to your purchase.

Check the insurance and the condition

New Hampshire requires condominium instruments, including those for small condos, to provide for master casualty and liability coverage. Verify the actual policies rather than relying on a verbal assurance. [4]

Have your insurance professional compare master coverage with your unit-owner policy, including improvements, deductibles, loss assessments, exclusions, and flood exposure. Arrange an inspection and ask about access to shared systems. The unit inspection and the association's financial and engineering records answer different questions.

What changed for condo financing?

Freddie Mac retired Streamlined Review for applicable applications from August 3, 2026 and strengthened reserve-study requirements. For applicable applications received January 4, 2027 onward, the minimum annual reserve allocation increases from 10% to 15% of annual budgeted assessment income. Review exemptions and qualifying alternatives may apply. [5]

These are mortgage eligibility rules affecting projects in NH as well as MA. The percentage is a yearly budget allocation, not a universal required bank balance. Ask your lender to check the project early, including its finances, insurance, and condition. A buyer's preapproval does not settle project eligibility.