Rent increases in Vermont

At least 60 days' actual notice, meaning written notice hand-delivered or mailed to the tenant's last known address. The increase can only start on the first day of a rental period after the 60 days. Mailed notice (first-class or certified) is presumed received 3 days after mailing, and the 60 days run from receipt. (9 V.S.A. §§ 4455(b), 4451)

• The notice must be in writing.
• Mailed notice: add 3 days.
• The change can only start at the end of a rental period (on a rent day).

Earliest date the new rent can start, with rent due on the 1st, worked out from the Vermont rule above:

• For a month-to-month tenant of 1 year raising rent 5% or a month-to-month tenant of 3 years raising rent 12% or a week-to-week tenant raising rent 5%: Friday, January 1, 2027

If the rental agreement sets the rent for a fixed time (for example six months or a year), the landlord can't raise it during that time; the rent can go up when that term is ending, with proper notice. (Vermont Legal Aid, VTLawHelp.org — Rent Increases)

No Vermont statute found that either bars or authorizes local rent control. Burlington requires a longer notice period.

• Burlington: No rent increase may take effect without at least 90 days' advance written notice to the tenant.

A landlord may not retaliate by establishing or changing the terms of a rental agreement (including rent) because the tenant complained to a government agency about a health or safety code violation, complained to the landlord about a violation of the landlord-tenant law, or joined or organized a tenants' union. The tenant can recover damages and attorney's fees. The 90-day presumption of retaliation in the statute applies only to termination notices, not rent increases. (9 V.S.A. § 4465)

• A written rental agreement cannot shorten the 60-day notice (VTLawHelp).
• In subsidized housing the tenant's rent share can change when household income changes (VTLawHelp).
• Mobile-home lot rent increases follow separate rules (10 V.S.A. chapter 153).

Security deposit

No statutory limit. Return deadline: 14 days after move-out.

Tenant's notice to move out

1 rental period

Notice for unpaid rent

14 days (pay or move out)

How a written notice is delivered (eviction-notice rules)

Written notice hand-delivered or mailed (first-class or certified) to the tenant's last known address (9 V.S.A. § 4451(1); Vermont Judiciary, Eviction Process).

Notice for other lease violations

30 days (notice to vacate, no right to fix)

Small claims court limit

$10,000 — where most deposit and rent disputes are filed.

Repairs

Time to repair: A reasonable time. Repair and deduct: allowed with limits; withholding rent: allowed.

Deposit kept wrongly

A landlord who misses the 14-day deadline forfeits the right to withhold any of the deposit. If the failure is willful, the landlord owes double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees and costs (§ 4461(e)).

Lawful reasons to end a lease early

Domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking; Unit unlivable or landlord fails to repair

• 9 V.S.A. § 4455 Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• 9 V.S.A. § 4451 (definitions: actual notice) Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• 9 V.S.A. § 4465 Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• VTLawHelp.org — Rent Increases Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• City of Burlington — Ch. 18 ordinance amendments draft showing § 18-29a (2021) Retrieved October 15, 2026.

Laws change. This page was checked against the sources above on October 15, 2026. It is legal information, not legal advice; for a dispute, contact your state's legal aid. See our methodology.