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Vermont Landlord-Tenant Laws

Last Updated: 2026-02-12 | Effective: 1989-01-01

Security Deposit Limits in Vermont

⏰ Timeline

As specified by law

✅ Key Requirements
  • No statewide maximum on security deposit amounts
  • Burlington limits deposits to 1 month's rent (+ 0.5 month for pets)
  • Brattleboro limits deposits to 1 month's rent
  • Local ordinances may impose stricter limits than state law
  • Landlords must check municipal regulations

Security Deposit Storage in Vermont

⏰ Timeline

As specified by law

✅ Key Requirements
  • No statewide requirement for separate accounts
  • No statewide interest requirement
  • Burlington requires interest-bearing account with passbook rate
  • Brattleboro and Barre require interest on deposits
  • Interest belongs to tenant when deposit is returned
  • +1 more requirements

Security Deposit Return Timeline in Vermont

⏰ Timeline

14 days after lease termination or as specified

✅ Key Requirements
  • 14 days for standard residential rentals
  • 60 days for seasonal/vacation rentals
  • Must include written itemization of any deductions
  • Can be hand-delivered or mailed to last known address
  • Timeline starts when landlord discovers vacancy or receives notice
  • +1 more requirements

Security Deposit Deductions in Vermont

⏰ Timeline

As specified by law

✅ Key Requirements
  • Only four categories of permitted deductions
  • Cannot deduct for normal wear and tear
  • Cannot deduct for damage beyond tenant's control
  • Must provide written itemized statement
  • Deductions must be specific and documented
  • +1 more requirements

Penalties for Withholding Security Deposit in Vermont

⏰ Timeline

30 days after lease termination or as specified

✅ Key Requirements
  • Miss 14-day deadline = forfeit all withholding rights
  • Willful withholding = 2x damages + attorney fees + costs
  • Burlington/Brattleboro have Housing Board of Review option
  • Small claims limit is $5,000
  • Tenant must file within applicable deadlines
  • +1 more requirements

Move-In/Move-Out Inspections in Vermont

⏰ Timeline

As specified by law

✅ Key Requirements
  • Not required statewide, but required in Burlington
  • Both parties should sign and retain copies
  • Should document all pre-existing damage
  • Photos/video recommended as additional evidence
  • Critical for security deposit dispute prevention
  • +1 more requirements

Rent Increase Notice Requirements in Vermont

⏰ Timeline

As specified in lease or by statute

✅ Key Requirements
  • Minimum 60 days' written notice required
  • Increase must take effect on first day of rental period
  • Cannot increase during fixed-term lease without lease provision
  • No limit on amount of increase (no rent control)
  • Notice must be in writing
  • +1 more requirements

Application Fees Prohibited in Vermont

⏰ Timeline

As specified by law

✅ Key Requirements
  • Application fees completely prohibited for residential rentals
  • Landlords may charge actual cost of background/credit checks
  • Must accept tenant-provided credit reports
  • Must accept portable screening reports
  • Cannot duplicate screening if tenant provides recent reports
  • +1 more requirements

Late Rent and Late Fees in Vermont

⏰ Timeline

As specified by law

✅ Key Requirements
  • No statutory maximum on late fee amounts
  • Fees must be "reasonable" and related to actual costs
  • Industry standard: $20 or 20% after 5 days
  • Late fees must be specified in lease agreement
  • Rent is due on date specified in lease
  • +1 more requirements

Eviction for Nonpayment of Rent in Vermont

⏰ Timeline

14 days after lease termination or as specified

✅ Key Requirements
  • Minimum 14 days' written notice required
  • Notice must state amount owed and termination date
  • Tenant can pay anytime within 14 days to cure
  • Partial payment doesn't waive landlord's rights
  • Must file court action within 60 days of termination date
  • +1 more requirements

Eviction for Lease Violations in Vermont

⏰ Timeline

30 days after lease termination or as specified

✅ Key Requirements
  • Minimum 30 days' written notice for lease violations
  • Notice must specify the breach and termination date
  • No cure period required for most violations
  • Shorter notice for weekly tenancies
  • Must file court action within 60 days of termination date
  • +1 more requirements

Eviction for Illegal Activity in Vermont

⏰ Timeline

14 days after lease termination or as specified

✅ Key Requirements
  • 14 days' written notice required
  • Notice is unconditional (no opportunity to cure)
  • Applies to illegal/criminal activity on premises
  • Includes drug activity, violence, property destruction
  • Tenant must vacate within 14 days
  • +1 more requirements

No-Cause Lease Termination in Vermont

⏰ Timeline

30 days after lease termination or as specified

✅ Key Requirements
  • Written leases ≤2 years: 30 days before lease end
  • Written leases >2 years: 60 days before lease end
  • Oral month-to-month ≤2 years: 60 days
  • Oral month-to-month >2 years: 90 days
  • Notice must specify exact termination date
  • +1 more requirements

Eviction Process Overview in Vermont

⏰ Timeline

As specified by law

✅ Key Requirements
  • Must provide proper written notice first
  • Cannot use self-help eviction (lockouts, utility shutoffs)
  • Must file in Superior Court, Civil Division
  • Filing deadline: 60 days from termination date
  • Only sheriff/constable can physically remove tenant
  • +1 more requirements

Illegal Eviction Actions in Vermont

⏰ Timeline

As specified by law

✅ Key Requirements
  • Lockouts are illegal without court order
  • Utility shutoffs prohibited
  • Removing tenant property illegal
  • Only court can authorize eviction
  • Only law enforcement can remove tenants
  • +1 more requirements

Implied Warranty of Habitability in Vermont

⏰ Timeline

As specified by law

✅ Key Requirements
  • Safe, clean, and fit for habitation required
  • Must comply with all building/housing/health codes
  • Heating facilities must be safe and provide reasonable heat
  • Hot and cold running water required
  • Cannot waive habitability rights in lease
  • +1 more requirements

Tenant Remedies for Habitability Violations in Vermont

⏰ Timeline

As specified by law

✅ Key Requirements
  • Must materially affect health and safety
  • Landlord must receive actual notice of problem
  • Must allow reasonable time for repairs
  • Can withhold rent during noncompliance period
  • Can sue for damages, fees, and costs
  • +2 more requirements

Repair and Deduct Rights in Vermont

⏰ Timeline

30 days after lease termination or as specified

✅ Key Requirements
  • Only for minor defects, not major habitability issues
  • Must give written notice to landlord
  • Must wait 30 days before repairing
  • Deduction cannot exceed 1/2 month's rent
  • Must use actual and reasonable repair costs
  • +1 more requirements

Landlord Entry Rights in Vermont

⏰ Timeline

As specified by law

✅ Key Requirements
  • Minimum 48 hours' notice for non-emergency entry
  • Entry only between 9:00 AM and 9:00 PM with notice
  • Notice required for inspections, repairs, showings
  • Emergency entry allowed without notice for imminent danger
  • Tenant consent required outside these parameters
  • +1 more requirements

Lease Termination by Tenant in Vermont

⏰ Timeline

As specified by law

✅ Key Requirements
  • Month-to-month: one rental period notice required
  • Notice must be in writing
  • Fixed-term leases: typically expire without notice
  • Early termination: tenant liable for remaining rent
  • Landlord must attempt to mitigate damages by re-renting
  • +1 more requirements

Domestic Violence Protections in Vermont

⏰ Timeline

30 days after lease termination or as specified

✅ Key Requirements
  • 30 days' written notice required
  • Must provide documentation from approved source
  • Self-certification option available
  • Applies to victims of abuse, sexual assault, or stalking
  • Applies to parents/guardians of minor victims
  • +2 more requirements

Retaliation Protections in Vermont

⏰ Timeline

As specified by law

✅ Key Requirements
  • Cannot retaliate for exercising legal rights
  • Cannot retaliate for reporting violations
  • 6-month presumption period after protected activity
  • Landlord must prove non-retaliatory reason
  • Tenant can raise as defense to eviction
  • +1 more requirements

Discrimination Protections in Vermont

⏰ Timeline

As specified by law

✅ Key Requirements
  • 12 protected classes under state law
  • 7 protected classes under federal law
  • Cannot discriminate in advertising, showing, or renting
  • Must provide reasonable accommodations for disabilities
  • Source of income protection (public assistance)
  • +1 more requirements

Abandoned Property in Vermont

⏰ Timeline

As specified by law

✅ Key Requirements
  • Must store abandoned property for 60 days
  • Must notify tenant of abandoned items
  • Tenant can claim by paying storage costs
  • After 60 days, landlord can dispose or sell
  • Can deduct storage/removal costs from security deposit
  • +1 more requirements

Legal Remedies for Tenants in Vermont

⏰ Timeline

30 days after lease termination or as specified

✅ Key Requirements
  • Small claims for amounts up to $5,000
  • Superior Court for amounts over $5,000
  • Housing Board option in Burlington/Brattleboro/Barre
  • Can recover attorney fees in many cases
  • Legal Aid available for low-income tenants
  • +1 more requirements

Local Ordinances in Vermont

⏰ Timeline

As specified by law

✅ Key Requirements
  • Burlington, Brattleboro, Barre have stricter deposit limits
  • Interest requirements in these municipalities
  • Housing Boards of Review provide alternative dispute resolution
  • Local ordinances can add but not reduce protections
  • Landlords must comply with both state and local laws
  • +1 more requirements

Landlord Duty to Mitigate in Vermont

⏰ Timeline

As specified by law

✅ Key Requirements
  • Landlord must make reasonable efforts to re-rent
  • Tenant liable for rent until unit re-rented
  • Tenant liable for actual costs of finding new tenant
  • Once re-rented, original tenant's liability ends
  • Landlord cannot collect from both tenants simultaneously
  • +1 more requirements

Health and Safety Requirements in Vermont

⏰ Timeline

As specified by law

✅ Key Requirements
  • Must comply with Vermont Rental Housing Health Code
  • Smoke detectors required on all levels
  • Carbon monoxide detectors required
  • Safe heating, water, electrical, plumbing required
  • Town Health Officers can inspect and enforce
  • +1 more requirements

Required Disclosures in Vermont

⏰ Timeline

As specified by law

✅ Key Requirements
  • Lead paint disclosure required for pre-1978 properties
  • Must provide EPA lead pamphlet
  • Security deposit terms should be disclosed
  • New landlord must notify tenant of ownership change
  • Material defects affecting habitability should be disclosed
  • +1 more requirements

Reduce Your Risk Before Signing a Lease

Vermont landlords who screen tenants carefully before signing a lease significantly reduce their risk of ending up in eviction court. Understanding tenant screening in Vermont — including background checks, credit history, income verification, and rental references — is one of the most cost-effective steps you can take to protect your rental property. Before you ever need Vermont's eviction process, proper tenant screening can help you identify red flags early and avoid problem tenancies altogether.

Vermont Legal Forms

State-specific landlord forms powered by LawDepot. Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

⚖️ Eviction Notice

$29

Official eviction notice with proper legal language and state-specific requirements.

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📝 Lease Agreement

$29

Complete state-specific residential lease agreement with all required disclosures.

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📈 Rent Increase Letter

$19

Compliant notice of rent adjustment with correct timing requirements.

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🚪 Notice to Vacate

$19

Lease termination letter following proper state procedures and notice periods.

Get Form →

✅ Move-in Checklist

$9

Property condition documentation form to protect against deposit disputes.

Get Form →

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