Vermont Landlord Guide — Get Your Action Plan in 60 Seconds

Tenant behind on rent? Damage beyond wear and tear? Holding over after the lease ended? Describe the situation in your own words and get a plain-English breakdown, severity rating, step-by-step next steps, and ready-to-send notices — specific to Vermont law.

Vermont landlord law, at a glance

• Security deposit: you must return it within 14 days of move-out, with an itemized statement for deductions.
• Tenant entry: Landlords must generally give 48-hour notice before entering, except in emergencies.
• Eviction: you must go through the courts. Self-help eviction is illegal.

Vermont landlords must return the deposit with a written statement of deductions within 14 days of the tenant vacating — 60 days for seasonal or secondary residences (9 V.S.A. § 4461); missing the deadline forfeits the right to withhold anything, and willful violations can cost double. Entry requires at least 48 hours' notice and is restricted to 9 a.m.–9 p.m. (§ 4460). Rent is late the day after it is due with no statutory grace period, and illegal self-help eviction carries statutory remedies (§ 4464).

Free legal help in Vermont

• Vermont Tenants (CVOEO) — (802) 864-0099 — Statewide tenant hotline: rights consultations, habitability issues, referrals.
• VTLawHelp.org — Vermont's free statewide legal-help site; housing and renter rights.
• Call or text 211 for free local referrals.

Common questions