Vermont Tenant Law: Security Deposits, Late Fees & Landlord Entry (2026)

Security deposits

Max

No statutory cap on the amount of a security deposit found in 9 V.S.A. chapter 137. A 'security deposit' is any advance, deposit or prepaid rent, however named, that is refundable to the tenant at the end of the tenancy; its function is to secure the tenant's obligations to pay rent and maintain the unit (§ 4461(a)). The landlord may retain it only for nonpayment of rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear (or beyond the tenant's control), unpaid utility or other charges the tenant had to pay directly, and expenses to remove articles the tenant abandoned (§ 4461(b)). 'Normal wear and tear' is defined in § 4451(5). A separate bill that would have capped deposits at two months' rent (H.772, 2026) failed in the Senate and did not become law.

Return deadline days

14 days

Itemization required

Yes

Interest required

No statewide interest or separate-account requirement found in chapter 137. A town or municipality may adopt a supplemental ordinance, which may authorize interest on deposits but may not limit how a deposit is held (§ 4461(g)).

Source: 9 V.S.A. § 4461(a)-(g); § 4451(5)

Late fees

Rule

No provision on residential late fees found in 9 V.S.A. chapter 137. Rent is payable without demand or notice at the time and place agreed (§ 4455(a)), so any late fee must come from the lease. Separately, a landlord may not charge an application fee to apply for a residential rental (§ 4456a(a)).

Source: 9 V.S.A. ch. 137 (no late-fee provision found); § 4455(a); § 4456a(a)

Landlord entry

Notice

A landlord may enter with the tenant's consent, which the tenant may not unreasonably withhold. Otherwise the landlord may enter only between 9:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M. on at least 48 hours' notice, and only to inspect the premises, make necessary or agreed repairs, alterations or improvements, supply agreed services, or show the unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workers or contractors. The landlord may enter without consent or notice only where there is a reasonable belief of imminent danger to a person or property. Illegal lockouts and utility shut-offs are prohibited (§ 4463).

Source: 9 V.S.A. § 4460(a)-(c); § 4463

Ending a month-to-month tenancy

Tenant

9 V.S.A. chapter 137 states no notice period for a tenant ending a tenancy (§ 4467 sets only the landlord's notice periods); follow the notice terms in the lease.

Landlord

No cause is needed only if there is NO written rental agreement and rent is monthly: at least 60 days' actual notice if the tenant has lived there continuously 2 years or less, at least 90 days if more than 2 years (§ 4467(c)(1)); weekly rent: 21 days (§ 4467(c)(2)). With a written rental agreement, a no-cause notice must be given at least 30 days before the end of the stated term if the tenancy has lasted 2 years or less, and at least 60 days before the end if more than 2 years (week-to-week written agreement: 7 days) (§ 4467(e)). Nonpayment of rent: at least 14 days' actual notice, and the tenancy does not end if the tenant pays the rent due through the end of the rental period (§ 4467(a)). Breach of a material term or of chapter duties: at least 30 days (§ 4467(b)(1)); criminal activity, illegal drug activity or violence threatening other residents: at least 14 days (§ 4467(b)(2)). Shared-home room rental: 15 days if rent is monthly, 7 days if weekly (§ 4467(h)). The notice must state the termination date (§ 4467(f)); 'actual notice' means written notice hand-delivered or mailed to the last known address, presumed received 3 days after mailing (§ 4451(1)). An eviction case must be started within 60 days after the termination date (§ 4467(k)).

Source: 9 V.S.A. § 4467(a)-(f), (h), (k); § 4451(1)

Rent increases

Rule

A rent increase takes effect on the first day of the rental period that follows at least 60 days' actual notice to the tenant (§ 4455(b)). For privately owned age-restricted residential property not licensed under 33 V.S.A. ch. 71 or 8 V.S.A. ch. 151, the owner must give 60 days' written notice on the state form to residents and the Department of Housing and Community Development; a rent increase without that notice is ineffective and unenforceable (§ 4468a).

Statewide rent control

No statewide rent cap found in 9 V.S.A. chapter 137. A bill with rent-increase limits (H.772, 2026) failed in the Senate and did not become law.

Source: 9 V.S.A. § 4455(b); § 4468a(a)-(c); § 4451(1)

Repairs & habitability

Rule

In every residential rental agreement the landlord is deemed to warrant and maintain, throughout the tenancy, premises that are safe, clean and fit for human habitation and that comply with building, housing and health regulations; the landlord must also ensure a reasonable amount of heat at all times and adequate water with hot and cold lines (heat and water duties do not apply to units rented for summer occupancy or as hunting camps). Waiver of the warranty is void (§ 4457). If the landlord, after actual notice from the tenant, a governmental entity or a qualified independent inspector, fails to make repairs within a reasonable time and the problem materially affects health and safety, the tenant may withhold rent for the period of noncompliance, seek an injunction, recover damages, costs and attorney's fees, or terminate on reasonable notice; these remedies are not available if the tenant or a person on the premises with the tenant's consent caused the problem (§ 4458). For minor defects, if the landlord fails to repair within 30 days after notice, the tenant may repair and deduct the actual reasonable cost, up to one-half of one month's rent, after giving the landlord actual notice of the cost (§ 4459).

Source: 9 V.S.A. § 4457; § 4458; § 4459

Retaliation

Rule

A landlord may not retaliate, by establishing or changing rental terms or by bringing or threatening an action, against a tenant who complained to a government agency about a health or safety violation of building, housing or health regulations, complained to the landlord of a violation of chapter 137, or organized or joined a tenants' union (§ 4465(a)). A tenant can recover damages and attorney's fees, and may raise it as a defense to an action for possession (§ 4465(b)). If the landlord serves a termination notice on any ground other than nonpayment of rent within 90 days after a municipal or state notice that the premises violate health or safety rules, there is a rebuttable presumption the termination is retaliatory (§ 4465(c)).

Source: 9 V.S.A. § 4465(a)-(c)

Clauses often unenforceable in Vermont

• Any lease provision that attempts to circumvent the obligations and remedies of chapter 137 (§ 4454)
• A waiver of the implied warranty of habitability (§ 4457(b))
• Charging an application fee to apply for a residential rental (§ 4456a(a))
• Requiring a Social Security number on the application or refusing an application for lacking one (the landlord must accept government ID, an ITIN or an SSN for a background or credit check) (§ 4456a(b))
• Shutting off utilities or denying access to the unit or the tenant's belongings without court process (§ 4463)
• Withholding any part of the deposit after missing the 14-day deadline: the landlord forfeits the right to withhold (§ 4461(e))