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Vermont

A Vermont lease agreement is a legally binding document that establishes the relationship between a landlord and a tenant, allowing the landlord to rent out their property. This agreement includes essential details such as the names and addresses of both parties, rent payment terms, and rules regarding pets.

SimpleBasicLease_Vermont

SimpleBasicLease_Vermont

Rental Lease Laws Overview

In Vermont, there are no rent control laws, and landlords are not subject to a statutory limit on late fees. While late fees can be included in rental agreements, there is no grace period for late rent payments. Additionally, landlords do not require a license to operate.

Required Lease Disclosures

Landlords in Vermont must provide specific disclosures to tenants:

  • Lead-Based Paint Disclosure: For properties built before 1978, landlords must inform tenants about the potential presence of lead-based paint, which poses health risks.
  • Rent Increase Notice: Landlords are required to notify tenants at least 60 days in advance of any rent increase.

Security Deposit

Vermont law does not impose a maximum limit on the amount a landlord can request as a security deposit. Landlords are not required to provide receipts for these deposits or to pay interest on them, although some municipalities may allow interest payments. There is also no requirement for landlords to hold security deposits in a specific bank account.

Upon the termination of a lease, landlords must return the security deposit within 14 days. If any part of the deposit is withheld, landlords must provide a written statement detailing the deductions within the same timeframe. Failure to do so results in the forfeiture of the right to withhold any portion of the deposit. If a landlord willfully withholds a deposit, they may be liable to pay twice the amount wrongfully withheld, along with reasonable attorney’s fees.

Rent Payments

Tenants are obligated to pay rent at the time and place agreed upon in the lease. Although late fees must be reasonable, Vermont does not have a grace period for late payments, allowing landlords to issue a 14-day notice to quit for non-payment immediately after rent is late. If a tenant notifies the landlord of a minor repair issue, they must wait 30 days before taking action themselves and deducting the repair cost, which cannot exceed half of one month’s rent.

Landlord Right of Entry

Landlords may enter the rental property either with the tenant’s permission or by providing 48 hours’ advance notice for purposes such as inspections, repairs, or showing the property to prospective buyers or tenants. Landlords are prohibited from changing locks to deny access to tenants.

Property Repairs

Landlords are responsible for maintaining a rental unit that is safe, clean, and fit for human habitation, which includes ensuring access to heating and hot and cold water. They must comply with relevant health, housing, and building regulations. Tenants are required to avoid contributing to any non-compliance with these regulations and must not disturb other tenants or damage property fixtures.

If a tenant fails to comply with a material term of the lease, such as maintaining utilities, the landlord can terminate the lease after providing a 30-day notice to quit for non-compliance.

Terminating a Lease

For month-to-month tenancies, landlords must provide a 60-day notice to terminate if the tenancy has lasted less than two years, or a 90-day notice if it has lasted more than two years. If a tenant leaves personal property behind (excluding refuse, garbage, and trash), the landlord must notify the tenant that the property will be disposed of after 60 days, during which the landlord must store the property securely. Tenants can reclaim their property by providing a written description and paying storage costs; if not claimed within 60 days, the property becomes the landlord’s.

Statutes

FAQs

In Vermont, landlords must provide a Lead-Based Paint Disclosure for properties built before 1978 and a Rent Increase Notice at least 60 days prior to any rent increase.

Vermont law does not limit the amount a landlord may request as a security deposit from a tenant.

A landlord in Vermont must return a tenant’s security deposit within 14 days of the lease ending. If any deductions are made, a written statement itemizing those deductions must also be provided within the same timeframe.

Vermont does not have a specific statute limiting late fees, but they must be reasonable according to case law. There is no grace period, meaning landlords can issue a 14-day notice to quit for non-payment as soon as rent is late.

In Vermont, a landlord may enter a rental property with the tenant’s permission or by providing 48 hours’ advance notice to the tenant for purposes such as inspections, repairs, or showing the property.

A tenant must wait 30 days after notifying the landlord of a minor repair issue before they can seek the repair themselves and deduct the reasonable cost from their rent, which cannot exceed half of one month’s rent.

To terminate a month-to-month tenancy in Vermont, a landlord must provide a 60-day notice if the tenancy has lasted less than two years, or a 90-day notice if it has lasted more than two years.

If a tenant leaves property behind, the landlord must inform them that the property will be disposed of after 60 days. The landlord is required to store the property safely during this time.