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

Vermont sets no statutory cap on the security deposit amount. The deposit must be accounted for within 14 days after the tenancy ends (Vt. Stat. tit. 9, § 4461).

Is there a limit on late fees in Vermont?

Vermont sets no statutory late-fee cap; the fee must be stated in the lease.

How much notice must a landlord give before entering a rental in Vermont?

Landlord must give at least 48 hours' notice before entering, except in an emergency. (Vt. Stat. tit. 9, § 4460)

How do you end a month-to-month tenancy in Vermont?

Notice is 30 days where the tenant has lived there under two years, and 60 days for longer occupancies. (Vt. Stat. tit. 9, § 4467)

What happens if a tenant does not pay rent in Vermont?

Tenant has 14 days to pay rent or vacate before the landlord may file for ejectment. (Vt. Stat. tit. 9, § 4467) The case is filed as an ejectment in Superior Court. A landlord may never change the locks or remove a tenant's belongings without a court order.

Does a residential lease have to be in writing in Vermont?

A written lease is not always legally required, but it is what makes the terms enforceable and provable. A written lease is the practical way to document rent, deposits, and each party's obligations. Landy builds a lease specific to Vermont with the statutory citations printed in it.

Vermont Residential Lease Agreement

A lease that works in the State of Vermont has to respect Vermont landlord-tenant law: no statutory ceiling on the security deposit, accounted for within 14 days of move-out, and no statutory ceiling on late fees. Below is every number that governs a Vermont tenancy, with the statute it comes from.

Read the whole lease before you pay. $14.99 to download, or three for $29.

Vermont rental law at a glance

Each row is the rule Landy applies when it builds a Vermont lease. The citation is printed in the finished document too, so a tenant can check it.

Vermont landlord-tenant rules with statutory citations
Rule	Vermont	Citation
Security deposit limit	No statutory limitVermont sets no statutory cap on the security deposit amount.	No statute on point
Deposit return deadline	14 daysLandlord must return the deposit with a written statement of deductions within 14 days after the tenancy ends.	Vt. Stat. tit. 9, § 4461
Interest on deposits	Not requiredVermont does not require interest on security deposits.	Vt. Stat. tit. 9, § 4461
Late fee limit	No statutory limitVermont sets no statutory late-fee cap; the fee must be stated in the lease.	No statute on point
Grace period before rent is late	No statutory grace periodVermont sets no statutory grace period for rent.	No statute on point
Notice to pay or quit	14 daysTenant has 14 days to pay rent or vacate before the landlord may file for ejectment.	Vt. Stat. tit. 9, § 4467
Time to cure a lease violation	30 daysTenant generally receives 30 days' notice for a curable lease violation.	Vt. Stat. tit. 9, § 4467
Ending a month-to-month tenancy	30 days' noticeNotice is 30 days where the tenant has lived there under two years, and 60 days for longer occupancies.	Vt. Stat. tit. 9, § 4467
Notice before landlord entry	48 hoursLandlord must give at least 48 hours' notice before entering, except in an emergency.	Vt. Stat. tit. 9, § 4460

Disclosures a Vermont lease must carry

Missing a required disclosure is the most common way an otherwise fine lease creates a problem. Landy adds these automatically, plus any that apply only to your specific property.

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
Housing built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. Lead from paint, paint chips, and dust can pose health hazards if not managed properly. Lead exposure is especially harmful to young children and pregnant women. Before renting pre-1978 housing, landlords must disclose the presence of known lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards in the dwelling, provide any available records and reports to the tenant, and give the tenant the EPA-approved pamphlet "Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home." Tenant acknowledges receipt of this information by signing below.
42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 24 C.F.R. Part 35; 40 C.F.R. Part 745 · applies to housing built before 1978

If things go wrong in Vermont

Where eviction is filed

Superior Court, as an ejectment.

Governing law

Cited from the Vermont Statutes Annotated.

Never self-help

Changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities to force a tenant out is unlawful. A court order is the only route.

Vermont lease questions, answered

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Vermont?: Vermont sets no statutory cap on the security deposit amount. The deposit must be accounted for within 14 days after the tenancy ends (Vt. Stat. tit. 9, § 4461).
Is there a limit on late fees in Vermont?: Vermont sets no statutory late-fee cap; the fee must be stated in the lease.
How much notice must a landlord give before entering a rental in Vermont?: Landlord must give at least 48 hours' notice before entering, except in an emergency. (Vt. Stat. tit. 9, § 4460)
How do you end a month-to-month tenancy in Vermont?: Notice is 30 days where the tenant has lived there under two years, and 60 days for longer occupancies. (Vt. Stat. tit. 9, § 4467)
What happens if a tenant does not pay rent in Vermont?: Tenant has 14 days to pay rent or vacate before the landlord may file for ejectment. (Vt. Stat. tit. 9, § 4467) The case is filed as an ejectment in Superior Court. A landlord may never change the locks or remove a tenant's belongings without a court order.
Does a residential lease have to be in writing in Vermont?: A written lease is not always legally required, but it is what makes the terms enforceable and provable. A written lease is the practical way to document rent, deposits, and each party's obligations. Landy builds a lease specific to Vermont with the statutory citations printed in it.

Build a Vermont lease with these rules already in it.

Answer questions in plain English. Landy writes the Vermont lease around your answers, applies every limit above, and shows you the finished document before you decide to pay.

Lease laws in other states

This page summarizes Vermont law for general information and is not legal advice. Landy is a self-help document service, not a law firm. Cities and counties may impose additional requirements, and statutes change. Have a licensed Vermont attorney review your lease before you rely on it.