Vermont Landlord-Tenant Laws (2026)

Vermont landlord-tenant rules at a glance

Security deposits in Vermont

The deposit rule in Vermont is: No statewide limit (Burlington and some towns cap deposits locally). After the tenancy ends, the landlord must return the deposit within 14 days, typically with an itemized statement for any amounts withheld. Deductions are limited to unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, and other charges the statute or lease allows, routine repainting and carpet aging from ordinary use generally cannot be charged to the tenant. Both parties should document the unit's condition at move-in and move-out; disputes usually turn on that evidence.

Landlord entry and tenant privacy

Vermont's entry rule is: 48 hours' notice. Entry is generally limited to legitimate purposes such as repairs, inspections, and showings, and emergencies allow immediate entry everywhere. Where the statute is silent or vague, courts fall back on the tenant's right to quiet enjoyment, so landlords should give written notice and enter at reasonable hours regardless of the statutory minimum.

Rent increases and rent control

Rent control status in Vermont: Local allowed in limited form, Burlington voters approved just-cause eviction protections. Even without rent control, a landlord cannot raise rent mid-lease unless the lease allows it, and periodic tenancies require proper advance notice of an increase, commonly the same notice period used to terminate (60 days from landlord (90 days after 2+ years); tenants typically give one rental period in Vermont). Retaliatory increases after a tenant exercises a legal right are prohibited in most states.

Eviction process overview

For unpaid rent, Vermont requires: 14-day notice to terminate for nonpayment. If the tenant does not pay or leave, the landlord files an eviction case (the name varies: unlawful detainer, summary process, forcible entry and detainer), serves the tenant, and attends a hearing. Only a court judgment followed by a sheriff or constable can remove a tenant, lockouts and utility shutoffs are illegal in every state. Timelines vary from a few weeks to several months depending on court backlog and whether the tenant contests the case.

Late fees

Vermont's late fee rule: No statutory cap, fees must reflect actual costs to the landlord. Even where no statutory cap exists, courts can strike down fees that operate as penalties rather than reasonable estimates of the landlord's actual cost, and the fee must appear in the written lease to be enforceable.

Ending a lease or month-to-month tenancy

To end a month-to-month tenancy in Vermont, the required notice is: 60 days from landlord (90 days after 2+ years); tenants typically give one rental period. Fixed-term leases end on their own schedule unless renewed, though some states and cities require just cause or additional notice even at lease end. Notice should always be written, dated, and delivered by a method the statute recognizes.

Is Vermont landlord-friendly or tenant-friendly?

Vermont is generally considered tenant-friendly. Vermont requires 14-day deposit returns, 48-hour entry notice, long 60-90 day termination notices, and a deliberate court eviction process.

Official source

The governing law is the Vermont Residential Rental Agreements Act (9 V.S.A. Ch. 137). Read the current text at the state's official legislative site: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/chapter/09/137.

Vermont landlord-tenant law FAQs

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Vermont?

Security deposits in Vermont are governed by the Vermont Residential Rental Agreements Act (9 V.S.A. Ch. 137). The deposit rule is: No statewide limit (Burlington and some towns cap deposits locally). After the tenancy ends, the landlord must return the deposit (minus properly documented deductions) within 14 days. Landlords who miss the deadline or take undocumented deductions can owe the tenant damages, so both sides should document the unit's condition at move-in and move-out and keep an itemized statement of any charges. Deposit rules are amended fairly often, so verify the current statute before relying on a specific number.

How much notice does a landlord have to give before evicting for unpaid rent in Vermont?

For nonpayment of rent, Vermont requires: 14-day notice to terminate for nonpayment. That notice is only the first step, a landlord cannot legally remove a tenant without then filing an eviction case and winning a court judgment, and self-help evictions (changing locks, shutting off utilities) are prohibited. Local courts and city ordinances can add procedural steps, so check the Vermont Residential Rental Agreements Act (9 V.S.A. Ch. 137) and local rules before starting an eviction.

Can a landlord enter a rental property without permission in Vermont?

Vermont's entry rule is: 48 hours' notice. Genuine emergencies (fire, flooding, gas leaks) are a standard exception in every state, and lease clauses can add detail but generally cannot strip a tenant's right to quiet enjoyment. For ending a month-to-month tenancy, Vermont requires 60 days from landlord (90 days after 2+ years); tenants typically give one rental period of notice. When in doubt, put entry requests and termination notices in writing and confirm the current rule in the Vermont Residential Rental Agreements Act (9 V.S.A. Ch. 137).

Compare nearby states

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