Vermont Eviction Notice Law
Vermont's notice period for unpaid rent is 14 days (14-day notice of termination for nonpayment). For a lease violation it is 30 days, with no statutory chance to cure.
Last verified: · Researched and cited by MakeLease · not yet attorney-reviewed
Not legal advice. A defective notice can restart an eviction case; ask a Vermont attorney or court self-help center before serving one. See our disclaimer.
Vermont eviction notice rules at a glance
| Notice for unpaid rent | 14 days (14-day notice of termination for nonpayment)9 V.S.A. § 4467(a) |
|---|---|
| Notice for a lease violation | 30 days (no statutory cure period)9 V.S.A. § 4467(b) |
| Ending a month-to-month tenancy (no-fault) | Landlord 60 days · tenant 30 days9 V.S.A. § 4467(c), (e), (f), (h), 9 V.S.A. § 4456(d) |
What Vermont law says
What notice must a Vermont landlord give before filing an eviction for unpaid rent?
To end a tenancy for unpaid rent, give actual notice of a termination date at least 14 days away; the tenancy does not end if the tenant pays or tenders the rent due through the end of the rental period in which payment is made (9 V.S.A. § 4467(a)).
How much notice is required for a lease violation in Vermont?
To end a tenancy for breaking a material lease term or a tenant duty under chapter 137, give actual notice at least 30 days before the termination date; 14 days is enough for criminal activity, illegal drug activity or violence that threatens other residents (9 V.S.A. § 4467(b)).
How much notice ends a month-to-month tenancy in Vermont?
Without a written lease, a Vermont landlord must give at least 60 days' actual notice to end a monthly tenancy for no cause (90 days once the tenant has lived there over two years), while the tenant need give only one full rental period (9 V.S.A. §§ 4467(c)(1), 4456(d)) (9 V.S.A. § 4467(c), (e), (f), (h)).
How Vermont compares
37 of 49 verified jurisdictions use a shorter unpaid-rent notice.
None of Vermont's 3 neighbors follows the same rule.
| Unpaid rent · lease violation | States |
|---|---|
| 14 days · 30 days | Vermont |
| 14 days · no statewide rule | Massachusetts |
| 7 days · 30 days | New Hampshire |
| 14 days · 10 days, with cure | New York |
Local rules in Vermont
9 V.S.A. § 4461(g) lets towns adopt security-deposit ordinances that add to (but cannot weaken) the state rules, including requiring interest and letting a local housing board of review hear deposit disputes. Burlington and Barre are reported to have such ordinances (e.g., interest on deposits and Housing Board hearings); check the local code.
Other Vermont rules
| Security deposit limit | No state cap9 V.S.A. § 4461 (no amount limit) |
|---|---|
| Deposit return deadline | 14 days after move-out9 V.S.A. § 4461(c), (d) |
| Late-fee cap | No state cap9 V.S.A. Chapter 137 (no late-fee provision; read in full), 9 V.S.A. § 4455(a) (rent payable at time and place agreed) |
| Entry notice | 48 hours' notice9 V.S.A. § 4460 |
| Rent-increase notice | 60 days (The increase takes effect on the first day of the rental period following at least 60 days' actual notice. Certain privately owned age-restricted housing: written notice to residents and the Department of Housing and Community Development at least 60 days before the effective date, or the increase is unenforceable (§ 4468a). Burlington ordinance reported to require longer notice (ACCD: 3 rental periods))9 V.S.A. § 4455(b), 9 V.S.A. § 4468a |