Vermont Tenant Rights Guide

Last updated: April 2026

Vermont has a landlord-tenant statute (9 V.S.A. Chapter 137) with moderate tenant protections. Security deposits must be returned within 14 days, landlords must give 60 days notice to terminate month-to-month tenancies, and tenants have habitability rights. Burlington enacted Good Cause Eviction protections.

Vermont at a Glance

Rent control: None
Statewide rent cap: None — landlords can raise rent by any amount
Preemption: Vermont does not preempt local rent control. No city has an active rent control ordinance, though Burlington has discussed it.

What Protections Vermont Tenants Do Have

Even without rent control, Vermont law gives renters meaningful rights in these areas:

Security Deposit

No statutory cap. Must be returned within 14 days of move-out with itemized statement (9 V.S.A. § 4461). Wrongful withholding entitles tenant to actual damages.

Notice to Terminate

Month-to-month tenancies require at least 60 days written notice from the landlord; 30 days from the tenant (9 V.S.A. § 4467).

Habitability

Landlords must maintain habitable conditions. Tenants may withhold rent or seek court remedies for serious violations (9 V.S.A. § 4457).

Anti-Retaliation

Landlords cannot retaliate against tenants for reporting code violations or exercising legal rights (9 V.S.A. § 4465).

Eviction

Landlords must provide written notice and obtain a court judgment before removing a tenant. Self-help eviction is prohibited (9 V.S.A. § 4463).

Check your address to see what tenant protections apply to your rental.

Major Cities in Vermont

Barre — No rent control; Vermont state protections apply.
Bennington — No rent control; Vermont state protections apply.
Brattleboro — No rent control; Vermont state protections apply.
Burlington — No rent control; Good Cause Eviction protections apply; Vermont state law applies.
Colchester — No rent control; Vermont state protections apply.
Essex — No rent control; Vermont state protections apply.
Essex Junction — No rent control; Vermont state protections apply.
Hartford — No rent control; Vermont state protections apply.
Milton — No rent control in Milton or anywhere in Vermont.
Rutland — No rent control; Vermont state law applies.
South Burlington — No rent control; Vermont state law applies.
Williston — No rent control; Vermont state protections apply.

Vermont Tenant Resources

These organizations offer free or low-cost help to Vermont renters:

Vermont Legal Aid — Free civil legal aid for low-income Vermonters, including eviction defense and housing matters.
Champlain Housing Trust — Affordable housing resources and tenant support in Chittenden County.
Vermont AG – Consumer Assistance — State resources for housing complaints.

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