Landlord laws
Vermont landlord-tenant law
Vermont Residential Rental Agreements Act, 9 V.S.A. ch. 137 (§§ 4451–4475), plus 9 V.S.A. § 4503 (official text, legislature.vermont.gov)
Last verified Oct 2026
General information only. Not legal advice. RentToolkit is not a law firm. Laws and local ordinances change, so check the statute and consult a licensed attorney in your state before acting.
| Topic | Rule (plain English) | Statute | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security deposit cap | Not specified in state statute. No statute caps the security deposit. We checked every section of 9 V.S.A. ch. 137. | 9 V.S.A. § 4461 | Not in statute |
| Deposit return deadline | Return the deposit with a written statement itemizing any deductions within 14 days after you learn the tenant has vacated or abandoned the unit. If the tenant gave notice of the move-out date, the 14 days run from that date. For seasonal rentals that aren't a primary residence, the deadline is 60 days. Hand-deliver or mail it to the tenant's last known address. Deductions are limited to unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, unpaid utility or other charges, and the cost of removing abandoned items. Missing the deadline forfeits your right to withhold anything. A willful failure costs double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus attorney's fees and costs. | 9 V.S.A. § 4461(b)–(e) | Verified |
| Deposit holding and interest | Not specified in state statute. No state statute requires interest or a separate account. Towns may adopt deposit ordinances, which can require interest, so check yours. Note: Any interest requirement comes from a local ordinance, not state statute. | 9 V.S.A. § 4461(g) | Not in statute |
| Late fee cap and grace period | Not specified in state statute. Vermont statutes set no residential late-fee cap and require no grace period. We checked every section of 9 V.S.A. ch. 137. Note: Late-fee limits, if any, come from the lease and contract case law, not statute. | 9 V.S.A. ch. 137 | Not in statute |
| Landlord entry notice | Enter with the tenant's consent, which they may not unreasonably withhold. Without consent, you may enter only between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., on at least 48 hours' notice, to inspect, make repairs or improvements, provide agreed services, or show the unit. You may enter without consent or notice only if you reasonably believe there is imminent danger to a person or property. | 9 V.S.A. § 4460 | Verified |
| Rent increase notice | A rent increase takes effect on the first day of the rental period that follows at least 60 days' actual notice to the tenant. | 9 V.S.A. § 4455(b) | Verified |
| Rent control status | Not specified in state statute. No statewide rent control, and no state statute bans local rent limits. We checked 9 V.S.A. ch. 137. Note: Whether a municipality may adopt rent limits depends on its charter and other law outside this chapter. | 9 V.S.A. ch. 137 | Not in statute |
| Eviction notice: nonpayment | Give actual notice of a termination date at least 14 days after the notice. 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. Accepting a partial payment doesn't waive your remedies. You must start the eviction case within 60 days after the termination date in the notice. | 9 V.S.A. § 4467(a), (k) | Verified |
| Eviction notice: lease violation | For failure to comply with a material term of the rental agreement or with the tenant's duties under the chapter, give actual notice at least 30 days before the termination date. If the breach is criminal activity, illegal drug activity, or violence that threatens other residents' health or safety, 14 days' notice is enough. The statute gives no right to cure. | 9 V.S.A. § 4467(b) | Verified |
| Required disclosures | Before signing, disclose in a separate written document, in substantially the state's model form, whether any part of the rental is in a FEMA-mapped special flood hazard area (4466). If the property changes owners, the new landlord must notify the tenant of their name and address and that the deposit was transferred (4461(f)). For pre-1978 housing, give the federal lead-paint disclosure (40 CFR 745.113). | 9 V.S.A. §§ 4466, 4461(f); 40 CFR 745.113 | Verified |
| Fair housing beyond federal law | Vermont adds sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, citizenship, immigration status, receipt of public assistance, and being a victim of abuse, sexual assault, or stalking. It also protects people who intend to live with minor children. Its other classes match federal law. | 9 V.S.A. § 4503(a) | Verified |
Last verified Oct 2026 · Sources are official state legislature sites. Federal rules also apply.
Tools for Vermont landlords
Late fee calculator
Model grace periods and fees.
Open →Prorated rent calculator
Mid-month move-ins.
Open →Rent increase calculator
New rent and annual impact.
Open →General information only. Not legal advice. RentToolkit is not a law firm. Laws and local ordinances change, so check the statute and consult a licensed attorney in your state before acting.