How much notice does a landlord have to give before eviction in Vermont?

Vermont sets specific notice periods that depend on the reason for eviction: non-payment of rent, lease term breach, or end of lease term. Notice must generally be in writing and served correctly to be valid. The eviction section above details the required notice for each case in Vermont; in most situations, a landlord must go through the courts before removing a tenant, changing the locks, or shutting off utilities, but state-by-state exceptions can apply (e.g., abandonment statutes), so review the state guide below before acting.

What habitability standards must landlords meet in Vermont?

Under Vermont law, landlords are generally responsible for keeping the unit safe and livable: working heat, hot water, plumbing, electrical, locks, and a structurally sound building. If you report a serious habitability problem in writing and the landlord fails to fix it within a reasonable time, many states let you pursue remedies like repair-and-deduct, rent withholding, or lease termination, but the available remedies and the procedures to use them vary by state, and a few states do not recognize all of them. See the habitability section above for the procedures that apply in Vermont.

State Reference Guide · Northeast

Vermont
Tenant Rights.

This guide provides a detailed overview of the rights and responsibilities of tenants in the State of Vermont. Most residential tenancies in Vermont are governed by the Vermont Residential Rental Agreements Act (RRAA), found in Title 9, Chapter 137 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated.

Disclaimer: Information provided is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.

Security Deposit Limit

No State Limit

check local laws

Deposit Return Window

14 Days

strict

Notice to Enter

48 Hours

Rent Increase Notice

60 Days

What rights do tenants have in Vermont?

Tenants in Vermont are protected by state law that governs security deposit limits, the notice a landlord must give before eviction, basic habitability standards (heat, water, electrical, locks), and the deadline for returning your deposit after move-out. Local cities in Vermont sometimes add stronger protections on top of these state-wide rules.

MONEY

Security Deposits

Vermont law defines a security deposit as any advance money given to a landlord to secure the execution of a lease or as a security against damage.

Maximum Amount

Vermont state law does not set a limit on how much a landlord can charge for a security deposit. However, some municipalities (like the City of Burlington) may have local ordinances that limit deposits to one month's rent.

Return Deadline

A landlord must return the security deposit (plus any interest required by local ordinance) within 14 days of the date the tenant vacates the unit or the date the landlord discovers the tenant has vacated. (9 V.S.A. § 4461)

Itemization Requirements

If the landlord withholds any portion of the deposit, they must provide a written statement itemizing exactly why the money was withheld. This must be sent via mail or hand-delivered within the same 14-day window.

Permissible Deductions

Landlords can only deduct for: - Nonpayment of rent.Damage beyond "normal wear and tear."Nonpayment of utility or other charges the tenant was required to pay.Expenses required to remove the tenant's abandoned property.

Penalties

If a landlord fails to return the deposit or the itemized list within 14 days, they forfeit the right to keep any portion of the deposit. If the withholding is found to be "willful," the landlord may be liable for double damages, attorney’s fees, and court costs.

NOTICE

Eviction Notices

In Vermont, a landlord cannot simply lock a tenant out. They must follow a specific legal process starting with a written notice. (9 V.S.A. § 4467)

Nonpayment of Rent

Landlords must provide a 14-day notice to pay or quit. If the tenant pays the full amount due before the 14 days are up, the notice is void.

Lease Violation

For breaches of the rental agreement, the landlord must provide a 30-day notice to vacate. (Note: Unlike some states, Vermont does not strictly require a "right to cure" for general lease violations, though courts often look for it).

Illegal Activity

If the eviction is based on illegal activity, the notice period is only 14 days.

Termination of Month-to-Month Tenancy (No-Cause)

If the tenant has lived there for two years or less: 60 days' notice.If the tenant has lived there for more than two years: 90 days' notice.

Termination for Sale of Building

If the landlord has a contract to sell the building to a buyer who intends to live there, they can terminate the lease with 30 days' notice (if the lease is oral/month-to-month).

NOTICE

Landlord Entry Requirements

Vermont law protects a tenant’s right to privacy and "quiet enjoyment" of their home. (9 V.S.A. § 4460)

Notice Period

Landlords must provide at least 48 hours' notice before entering the premises.

Permissible Purpose

Entry is allowed for inspections, necessary repairs, or showing the unit to prospective tenants or buyers.

Time Constraints

Entry must occur between 9:00 AM and 9:00 PM.

Emergency Exception

A landlord may enter without notice if they have a reasonable belief that an emergency exists (e.g., a bursting pipe or fire) or if the entry is "practicable" under the circumstances to protect the property.

MONEY

Rent Control and Increases

Rent Control Status

There is no statewide rent control in Vermont. Furthermore, Vermont does not have a specific preemption statute, but most cities cannot implement rent control without a specific change to their city charter approved by the State Legislature.

Rent Increases

For a month-to-month tenancy, the landlord must provide at least 60 days' written notice before increasing the rent. (9 V.S.A. § 4455(b))

SAFETY

Habitability Warranty & Repairs

Every residential lease in Vermont contains an implied "Warranty of Habitability," meaning the landlord promises the unit is safe, clean, and fit for human habitation. (9 V.S.A. § 4457)

Requirements

The unit must meet all applicable building, housing, and health regulations. This includes functional heat (at least 65°F in winter), hot and cold water, working electricity, and a weather-tight structure.

Tenant Remedies

If a landlord fails to make repairs after being notified in writing: - Repair and Deduct: After providing notice and a reasonable time to fix the issue, the tenant may make the repair themselves and deduct the cost from the rent, up to one-half of one month's rent. (9 V.S.A. § 4459)Withholding Rent: Tenants may withhold rent if the habitability violation is serious, but this is legally risky. The tenant should place the rent in an escrow account and seek legal advice first.Injunction: The tenant can sue the landlord to force them to make repairs and for damages.

SAFETY

Retaliation Protections

Vermont law strictly prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who exercise their legal rights. (9 V.S.A. § 4465)

Protected Activities

Including, but not limited to: - Complaining to a government agency about a health or safety violation.Complaining to the landlord about a habitability issue.Joining or forming a tenants' union.

Prohibited Retaliation

A landlord cannot respond to these activities by increasing rent, decreasing services (like turning off utilities), or threatening/starting an eviction.

Presumption

Unlike some states, Vermont does not have a specific "presumption window" (e.g., 90 days), but courts will look at the timing of the landlord's actions to determine if they were retaliatory.

LEASE

Lease Requirements and Disclosures

Written vs. Oral

While oral leases are legal in Vermont, they are considered month-to-month tenancies by default. Written leases are highly recommended.

Late Fees

Vermont law does not explicitly allow late fees. In fact, Vermont courts have frequently ruled that late fees are unenforceable "penalties" unless the landlord can prove the fee represents a specific, actual cost incurred by the late payment.

Lead Paint Disclosure

In addition to federal law, Vermont has strict state lead paint laws. Landlords of "target housing" (pre-1978) must perform "Essential Maintenance Practices" (EMP) annually and provide a compliance statement to the tenant. (18 V.S.A. § 1759)

Fire Safety

Landlords must ensure the unit has working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as required by the Vermont Fire Safety Code.

Summary

Quick reference table.

Topic	Vermont Law Summary	Statute
Security Deposit Limit	No state limit (check local laws)	9 V.S.A. § 4461
Deposit Return Window	14 Days (Strict)	9 V.S.A. § 4461
Notice to Enter	48 Hours	9 V.S.A. § 4460
Rent Increase Notice	60 Days	9 V.S.A. § 4455
Eviction (Nonpayment)	14-Day Notice to Pay/Quit	9 V.S.A. § 4467
Repair & Deduct	Yes (Limit: 1/2 month's rent)	9 V.S.A. § 4459

Unique To Vermont

Protections you won't find everywhere else.

Summary Table: Vermont Tenant Rights

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal issues, contact Vermont Legal Aid or a private attorney.

Cities with local protections

These Vermont cities layer extra tenant protections on top of state law: Burlington, Colchester, South Burlington, Winooski.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked

Security deposit limits in Vermont are set by state law and typically apply per lease, not per tenant. The exact cap, allowed deductions, and the deadline for returning the deposit are defined in the Vermont statutes section above; deadlines vary by state, so check that section for the specific rule that applies to your lease. Always document the unit's condition with photos at move-in and move-out so you can dispute improper deductions.

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