What Is a Road Maintenance Agreement (RMA) in NH Real Estate?
- Jim Johnson
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
🏡 What Is a Road Maintenance Agreement (RMA) in NH Real Estate?
In New Hampshire, many homes — especially in rural areas like Campton, Thornton, Rumney, Wentworth, and Plymouth — are located on private roads instead of town-maintained roads.
When a road is private, the town does not plow, repair, or maintain it.
Because of this, lenders often require a Road Maintenance Agreement (RMA) before approving financing.
Here’s what NH buyers and sellers need to know.
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What Is a Road Maintenance Agreement (RMA)?
A Road Maintenance Agreement is a written document outlining:
✔ Who maintains a private road
✔ How plowing, grading, and repairs are handled
✔ How costs are shared among homeowners
✔ What happens if one owner refuses to pay
✔ Who is responsible for long-term upkeep
It ensures the road will be accessible and safe year-round.
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Why RMAs Matter in NH Real Estate
Lenders require RMAs on private roads because:
✔ Emergency vehicles must be able to reach the home
✔ Roads must be maintained for safety
✔ Homes without maintained access lose value
✔ Unclear responsibility can lead to neighbor disputes
Without an RMA, some lenders WILL NOT fund the mortgage.
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What’s Typically Included in an RMA?
Most agreements cover:
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Winter plowing
Who plows? How often? How is it paid for?
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Road repairs
Potholes, gravel grading, resurfacing, drainage fixes.
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Cost-sharing formula
Homeowners might split costs evenly or based on usage/lot size.
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Dispute resolution
How disagreements are handled among neighbors.
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Future upgrades
Culverts, gravel updates, paving, drainage improvements.
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Liability and insurance
Who is responsible if damage occurs?
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When Do NH Homes Need an RMA?
RMAs are especially important when:
✔ Road is privately owned
✔ Road is shared between multiple homeowners
✔ Road is not maintained by the town
✔ Home is part of a small association without formal HOA documents
✔ Lender requires it before closing
Even cash buyers benefit from having one in writing.
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What If There Is No RMA?
This is common in rural NH.
Buyers may face:
❌ Lender refusing financing
❌ Delayed closing
❌ Neighbors disagreeing about plowing costs
❌ Difficulty maintaining road in winter
❌ Problems reselling later
In these cases, an attorney may help create a simple new agreement everyone signs.
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Who Maintains Private Roads in NH?
Depends on the situation:
✔ Small group of homeowners
✔ Informal neighborhood arrangement
✔ HOA (if one exists)
✔ Sometimes a single owner of the entire road
But never the town unless it’s a public road.
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Bottom Line
A Road Maintenance Agreement protects buyers, sellers, and lenders by clarifying responsibilities for plowing, repairs, and upkeep on private roads.
In New Hampshire — especially rural areas — an RMA can be the difference between a smooth closing and a financing issue.
Jim Johnson — Real Estate Agent
58 NH Route 25A
Wentworth, NH 03282
P: (857) 249-7392
Licensed New Hampshire REALTOR® with Three Hills Real Estate Services
Broker Email: info@ThreeHillsRES.com
Broker Website: www.ThreeHillsRES.com
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