Renting in Vermont
Your rights as a tenant in Vermont
In Vermont, the landlord has 14 days to return your deposit. What state law says about your deposit, the notices you must get, repairs and eviction. Every rule comes with its citation and the text of the law.
Key numbers in Vermont
- To return your deposit
- 14 days
- 9 V.S.A. §4461(c)
- Notice for late rent
- 14 days
- 9 V.S.A. §4467(a)
- Month-to-month notice
- 60 days
- 9 V.S.A. §4467(c)-(e)
What the law says
The rules, one by one
The basic rules for renting in Vermont, answered with state law and its citation.
Tap “What the law says” to read the exact text and see where it comes from.
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When must they return my deposit?
14 days
In Vermont, the landlord must return your security deposit, with a written itemized list of any deductions, within 14 days. The 14 days run from when the landlord discovers you moved out or abandoned the unit, or from the day you moved out if you told the landlord that date. For a seasonal rental that is not a primary residence, the deadline is 60 days.
What the law says · 9 V.S.A. §4461(c)
“A landlord shall return the security deposit along with a written statement itemizing any deductions to a tenant within 14 days from the date on which the landlord discovers that the tenant vacated or abandoned the dwelling unit or the date the tenant vacated the dwelling unit, provided the landlord received notice from the tenant of that date. In the case of the seasonal occupancy and rental of a dwelling unit not intended as a primary residence, the security deposit and written statement shall be returned within 60 days.”
Source: Vermont General Assembly – Vermont Statutes Online (Title 9, Chapter 137) · Verified on October 24, 2026
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If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
14 days
In Vermont, if you do not pay rent, the landlord may end your tenancy with a written notice that states the termination date, and that date must be at least 14 days after you receive the notice. The tenancy does not end if you pay or offer to pay the rent due through the end of the rental period in which you make the payment.
What the law says · 9 V.S.A. §4467(a)
“The landlord may terminate a tenancy for nonpayment of rent by providing actual notice to the tenant of the date on which the tenancy will terminate, which shall be at least 14 days after the date of the actual notice. The rental agreement shall not terminate if the tenant pays or tenders rent due through the end of the rental period in which payment is made or tendered.”
Source: Vermont General Assembly – Vermont Statutes Online (Title 9, Chapter 137) · Verified on October 24, 2026
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How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
60 days
In Vermont, to end your tenancy for no cause when there is no written rental agreement and you pay rent monthly, the landlord must give you written notice of the termination date at least 60 days ahead if you have lived there two years or less, or 90 days ahead if you have lived there more than two years. With no written agreement and a contract to sell the building, the notice is at least 30 days. With a written agreement, the notice must come at least 30 days before the end of the agreement's stated term, or 60 days if the tenancy has lasted more than two years. If you pay weekly, the notice is 21 days with no written agreement or 7 days with a written week-to-week agreement.
What the law says · 9 V.S.A. §4467(c)-(e)
“(c) Termination for no cause. In the absence of a written rental agreement, the landlord may terminate a tenancy for no cause as follows: (1) If rent is payable on a monthly basis, by providing actual notice to the tenant of the date on which the tenancy will terminate, which shall be: (A) for tenants who have resided continuously in the same premises for two years or less, at least 60 days after the date of the actual notice; (B) for tenants who have resided continuously in the same premises for more than two years, at least 90 days after the date of the actual notice. (2) If rent is payable on a weekly basis, by providing actual notice to the tenant of the date on which the tenancy will terminate, which shall be at least 21 days after the date of the actual notice. (d) Termination of rental agreement when property is sold. In the absence of a written rental agreement a landlord who has contracted to sell the building may terminate a tenancy by providing actual notice to the tenant of the date on which the tenancy will terminate, which shall be at least 30 days after the date of the actual notice. (e) Termination for no cause under terms of written rental agreement. If there is a written rental agreement, the notice to terminate for no cause shall be at least 30 days before the end or expiration of the stated term of the rental agreement if the tenancy has continued for two years or less. The notice to terminate for no cause shall be at least 60 days before the end or expiration of the term of the rental agreement if the tenancy has continued for more than two years. If there is a written week-to-week rental agreement, the notice to terminate for no cause shall be at least seven days; however, a notice to terminate for nonpayment of rent shall be as provided in subsection (a) of this section.”
Source: Vermont General Assembly – Vermont Statutes Online (Title 9, Chapter 137) · Verified on October 24, 2026
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How much notice before a rent increase?
60 days
A rent increase can start only on the first day of the rental period that follows at least 60 days' notice that actually reached you.
What the law says · 9 V.S.A. §4455(b)
“(b) An increase in rent shall take effect on the first day of the rental period following no less than 60 days’ actual notice to the tenant.”
Source: Vermont General Assembly – Vermont Statutes Online (Title 9, Chapter 137) · Verified on October 31, 2026
Protections
Protections the law gives you
We show only what state law says, with its citation. Your city may give you more protections.
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Only a court order can remove you
Yes: state law says so
In Vermont, a landlord may not willfully cut off your utility service, except for temporary interruptions for emergency repairs. A landlord also may not keep you from your home or from your belongings except through proper court process.
What the law says · 9 V.S.A. §4463
“(a) No landlord may willfully cause, directly or indirectly, the interruption or termination of any utility service being supplied to the tenant, except for temporary interruptions for emergency repairs. (b) No landlord may directly or indirectly deny a tenant access to and possession of the tenant’s rented or leased premises, except through proper judicial process. (c) No landlord may directly or indirectly deny a tenant access to and possession of the tenant’s property, except through proper judicial process.”
Vermont General Assembly – Vermont Statutes Online (Title 9, Chapter 137)
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Protection from retaliation
Yes: state law says so
In Vermont, a landlord may not retaliate against you by setting or changing rental terms, or by suing or threatening to sue you, because you complained to a government agency about a health or safety violation at the home, complained to the landlord about a violation of the rental law, or organized or joined a tenants' union or similar group.
What the law says · 9 V.S.A. §4465(a)
“A landlord of a residential dwelling unit may not retaliate by establishing or changing terms of a rental agreement or by bringing or threatening to bring an action against a tenant who: (1) has complained to a governmental agency charged with responsibility for enforcement of a building, housing, or health regulation of a violation applicable to the premises materially affecting health and safety; (2) has complained to the landlord of a violation of this chapter; or (3) has organized or become a member of a tenant’s union or similar organization.”
Vermont General Assembly – Vermont Statutes Online (Title 9, Chapter 137)
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Protection related to immigration status
Yes: state law says so
In Vermont, it is unlawful to refuse to rent or sell you a home because of your citizenship or immigration status. It is also unlawful to discriminate against you or harass you for that reason in the terms of a rental or sale, or in the services that come with the home.
What the law says · 9 V.S.A. §4503(a)(1)-(2)
“(a) It shall be unlawful for any person: (1) To refuse to sell or rent, or refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of, or otherwise make unavailable or deny, a dwelling or other real estate to any person because of the race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, religious creed, color, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, or disability of a person, or because a person intends to occupy a dwelling with one or more minor children, or because a person is a recipient of public assistance, or because a person is a victim of abuse, sexual assault, or stalking. (2) To discriminate against, or to harass, any person in the terms, conditions, privileges, and protections of the sale or rental of a dwelling or other real estate, or in the provision of services or facilities in connection with a dwelling or other real estate, because of the race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, religious creed, color, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, or disability of a person, or because a person intends to occupy a dwelling with one or more minor children, or because a person is a recipient of public assistance, or because a person is a victim of abuse, sexual assault, or stalking.”
Vermont General Assembly – Vermont Statutes Online (Title 9, Chapter 139)
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Repair and deduct from the rent
Yes: state law says so
In Vermont, if the landlord does not fix a minor defect within 30 days after your notice, you may make the repair and deduct the actual and reasonable cost from rent, up to half of one month's rent. When you deduct it, you must give the landlord written notice of the cost of the repair.
What the law says · 9 V.S.A. §4459(a)
“If within 30 days of notice, the landlord fails to repair a minor defect in order to comply with this chapter or a material provision of the rental agreement, the tenant may repair the defect and deduct from the rent the actual and reasonable cost of the work, not to exceed one-half of one month’s rent. The tenant shall provide the landlord with actual notice of the cost of the repair when the cost is deducted from the rent.”
Vermont General Assembly – Vermont Statutes Online (Title 9, Chapter 137)
Eviction
How an eviction works in Vermont
Step by step, with the time periods the law sets. No landlord can skip the court.
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Written termination notice for nonpayment (at least 14 days)
at least 14 days
What the law says · 9 V.S.A. §4467(a)
“The landlord may terminate a tenancy for nonpayment of rent by providing actual notice to the tenant of the date on which the tenancy will terminate, which shall be at least 14 days after the date of the actual notice.”
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Complaint in the Superior Court Civil Division, no later than 60 days after the termination date
up to 60 days
What the law says · 9 V.S.A. §4467(k)
“A notice to terminate a tenancy shall be insufficient to support a judgment of eviction unless the proceeding is commenced not later than 60 days from the termination date set forth in the notice.”
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A sheriff serves you the complaint and summons
What the law says · 12 V.S.A. §4853
“The process shall be served and notice given as in other civil actions.”
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Your written answer to the court, generally within 21 days
up to 21 days
What the law says
“The tenant generally has 21 days after being served with the eviction complaint to respond by filing a written answer with the court. If the tenant does not file a written answer to the complaint, the landlord can ask the court for a default judgment.”
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If the landlord asks, hearing on paying rent into court (at least 14 days' notice)
at least 14 days
What the law says · 12 V.S.A. §4853a(b)
“A hearing on the motion shall be held any time after 14 days’ notice to the parties. If the tenant appears at the hearing and has not been previously defaulted, the court shall not enter judgment by default unless the tenant fails to file a written answer within 14 days after the hearing.”
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In a nonpayment case, paying rent, interest and costs into court ends the case (once in 12 months)
What the law says · 12 V.S.A. §4773
“Before a writ of possession is executed, if the defendant pays into court all rent due through the end of the current rental period, including interest and the costs of suit, the action shall be discontinued. A defendant may not defeat an ejectment action by payment of all rent in arrears, interest, and court costs more than one time in 12 months.”
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Judgment for possession; the writ of possession issues the same day
What the law says · 12 V.S.A. §4854
“If the court finds that the plaintiff is entitled to possession of the premises, the plaintiff shall have judgment for possession and rents due, damages, and costs, and when a written rental agreement so provides, the court may award reasonable attorney’s fees. A writ of possession shall issue on the date judgment is entered, unless the court for good cause orders a stay.”
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The sheriff may remove you no sooner than 14 days after serving the writ
at least 14 days
What the law says · 12 V.S.A. §4854
“The writ shall direct any sheriff to serve the writ upon the defendant and, not earlier than 14 days after the writ is served, to put the plaintiff into possession.”
Free or low-cost legal help
If you get a notice or a court case, look for help early: the deadlines are short. These are official pages or pages the state courts link to.
Where to file a housing discrimination complaint
The Vermont Human Rights Commission (HRC) can investigate claims of discrimination in housing, public accommodations and state government employment. Complaints must be submitted within one year of the most recent act of discrimination.
Vermont Human Rights Commission- Legal Services Vermontlegalservicesvt.org
- Vermont Legal Aidvtlegalaid.org
- Legal Help Request Form (Vermont Legal Aid and Legal Services Vermont)vtlawhelp.org
- VTLawHelp.orgvtlawhelp.org
- Vermont Free Legal Answersvt.freelegalanswers.org
- Association of Africans Living in Vermont (free immigration help)aalv-vt.org
- Recognized Organizations and Accredited Representatives Roster (EOIR, DOJ)justice.gov
- Vermont Judiciary: eviction process and formsvtcourts.gov
- Vermont Judiciary: Finding Legal Helpvtcourts.gov
Frequently asked questions
When must a deposit be returned in Vermont?
In Vermont, the landlord must return your security deposit, with a written itemized list of any deductions, within 14 days. The 14 days run from when the landlord discovers you moved out or abandoned the unit, or from the day you moved out if you told the landlord that date. For a seasonal rental that is not a primary residence, the deadline is 60 days. (9 V.S.A. §4461(c))
What notice is required for late rent in Vermont?
In Vermont, if you do not pay rent, the landlord may end your tenancy with a written notice that states the termination date, and that date must be at least 14 days after you receive the notice. The tenancy does not end if you pay or offer to pay the rent due through the end of the rental period in which you make the payment. (9 V.S.A. §4467(a))
How much notice ends a month-to-month rental in Vermont?
In Vermont, to end your tenancy for no cause when there is no written rental agreement and you pay rent monthly, the landlord must give you written notice of the termination date at least 60 days ahead if you have lived there two years or less, or 90 days ahead if you have lived there more than two years. With no written agreement and a contract to sell the building, the notice is at least 30 days. With a written agreement, the notice must come at least 30 days before the end of the agreement's stated term, or 60 days if the tenancy has lasted more than two years. If you pay weekly, the notice is 21 days with no written agreement or 7 days with a written week-to-week agreement. (9 V.S.A. §4467(c)-(e))
How much notice before a rent increase in Vermont?
A rent increase can start only on the first day of the rental period that follows at least 60 days' notice that actually reached you. (9 V.S.A. §4455(b))
A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.
Pending
What is left to verify
We have not yet verified these Vermont rules in the law with their citation, so we do not show them. If you need them today, ask for free legal aid.
- How much can they charge for a deposit? Not verified yet
- Are there limits on late fees? Not verified yet