Vermont Landlord-Tenant Law

Maximum deposit

Vermont state law sets no limit on the amount of a security deposit, though a town ordinance may add deposit rules (9 V.S.A. § 4461). (9 V.S.A. § 4461 (no amount limit))

Return deadline

Landlords must hand-deliver or mail the deposit with a written itemized statement within 14 days after the tenant vacates (or after the landlord discovers the unit was vacated or abandoned), or within 60 days for a seasonal rental that is not a primary residence (9 V.S.A. § 4461(c)-(d)). (9 V.S.A. § 4461(c), (d))

Itemized deductions

The deposit must be returned with a written statement itemizing any deductions (9 V.S.A. § 4461(c)). (9 V.S.A. § 4461(b)-(c))

Interest on deposits

Vermont state law does not require interest on security deposits, but a town ordinance may require it (9 V.S.A. § 4461(g)). (9 V.S.A. § 4461(g) ('The ordinance may authorize the payment of interest on a security deposit.'))

Penalty for wrongful withholding

A landlord who does not return the deposit with a statement within 14 days loses the right to keep any of it, and a willful failure makes the landlord liable for double the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney's fees and costs (9 V.S.A. § 4461(e)). (9 V.S.A. § 4461(e))

Late-fee limit

Vermont sets no statutory cap on residential late fees; a late fee should be written into the lease and reasonably related to the landlord's cost of collection rather than a penalty, and lease terms that circumvent the chapter are void (9 V.S.A. §§ 4454, 4455). (9 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))

Grace period

Vermont law sets no grace period before a late fee may be charged; rent is due at the time agreed in the lease (9 V.S.A. § 4455(a)). (9 V.S.A. § 4455(a))

Absent the tenant's consent, a Vermont landlord needs at least 48 hours' notice and may enter only between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., except when it reasonably believes there is imminent danger (9 V.S.A. § 4460). (9 V.S.A. § 4460)

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), 9 V.S.A. § 4456(d))

Vermont rent increases need at least 60 days' actual notice and can start only on the first day of a rental period after that window closes (9 V.S.A. § 4455(b)). (9 V.S.A. § 4455(b), 9 V.S.A. § 4468a)

Vermont has no rent control law; the Residential Rental Agreements chapter (9 V.S.A. ch. 137) regulates notice and procedure but not the amount of rent. (9 V.S.A. ch. 137)

Before the lease is signed, tell the tenant in a separate written notice whether the rental is in a FEMA special flood hazard area, and give the federal lead-paint disclosure for pre-1978 housing (9 V.S.A. § 4466; 42 U.S.C. § 4852d). (9 V.S.A. § 4466)

• Whether any part of the premises is in a FEMA-mapped special flood hazard area, on the state model form (In advance of the rental agreement, in a separate written document at or before lease signing) — 9 V.S.A. § 4466
• Lead-based paint disclosure and EPA pamphlet (Housing built before 1978) — 42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 40 CFR Part 745 Subpart F

• In effect since June 17, 2024.

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)). (9 V.S.A. § 4467(a))

Lease violations

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)). (9 V.S.A. § 4467(b))