Vermont eviction laws
Notices, deadlines, court and tenant rights in Vermont — in plain English.
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Overview
- The court case
- Ejectment action
- Court
- Vermont Superior Court, Civil Division, for the county where the property is located
- Main laws
- Residential Rental Agreements Act, 9 V.S.A. ch. 137 (esp. §§ 4451, 4467); Ejectment, 12 V.S.A. ch. 169 (esp. §§ 4851-4853a)
Just-cause protection
No statewide law
Vermont has no statewide just-cause law, but no-cause terminations require long notice (60 or 90 days for month-to-month, depending on how long the tenant has lived there). The termination date must be stated in the notice, and the landlord must file within 60 days after that date or the notice lapses. (9 V.S.A. § 4467(c), (e), (k))
Notices before filing, by reason
What a landlord must serve before filing — and what a tenant should expect to receive.
Unpaid rent — 14-Day Notice of Termination for Nonpayment of Rent
Give written notice terminating the tenancy for nonpayment at least 14 days after the date of actual notice. If the tenant pays or offers all rent due through the end of the rental period before the termination date, the tenancy continues.
14-Day Notice of Termination for Nonpayment of Rent
- Notice period
- 14 days
- Counting
- Termination date at least 14 calendar days after the date of actual notice (the date the tenant receives it; day of receipt not counted). If mailed, allow for delivery time before counting.
- Tenant can fix it?
- Yes, within the notice period
- Must include
- Tenant name(s) and address
- Amount of rent due
- The specific termination date
- Statement that the tenancy will not terminate if the tenant pays or tenders all rent due through the end of the rental period before the termination date
- Landlord name, date and signature
- How to serve
- Hand it to the tenant in person; First-class mail; Certified mail (return receipt). 'Actual notice' means written notice hand-delivered or mailed to the tenant's last known address. Keep proof (certificate of mailing or certified mail receipt).
- Law
- 9 V.S.A. §§ 4467(a), 4451(1)
- Partial payment does not waive the landlord's right to terminate (§ 4467(a)).
- After filing, the court can order the tenant to pay rent into court; failure to pay can lead to a quicker writ (12 V.S.A. § 4853a). The tenant may also redeem by paying all amounts before final judgment (12 V.S.A. § 4773).
- The ejectment must be filed within 60 days after the termination date or the notice becomes invalid (§ 4467(k)).
The tenant broke the lease or rules — 30-Day Notice of Termination for Breach of Rental Agreement
For failure to comply with a material term of the lease or the tenant's legal duties, give written notice at least 30 days before the termination date. The statute does not give a right to cure.
30-Day Notice of Termination for Breach of Rental Agreement
- Notice period
- 30 days
- Counting
- Termination date at least 30 calendar days after the date of actual notice.
- Tenant can fix it?
- No
- Must include
- Tenant name(s) and address
- The material term or obligation breached and the facts
- The specific termination date
- Landlord name, date and signature
- How to serve
- Hand it to the tenant in person; First-class mail; Certified mail (return receipt). Hand delivery or mail to the last known address.
- Law
- 9 V.S.A. § 4467(b)(1)
- Double-check with the court: The statute does not provide a cure right, but the lease or a housing program may.
The lease ended and the tenant stayed — Notice of Termination at End of Lease Term (No Cause)
Under a written lease, a landlord who does not want to renew must give written notice before the end of the term: at least 30 days if the tenant has lived there 2 years or less, 60 days if more than 2 years (7 days for a week-to-week written agreement).
Notice of Termination at End of Lease Term (No Cause)
- Notice period
- 30 days (week-to-week: 7 days)
- Longer notice
- 60 days before the end of the term if the tenancy has lasted more than 2 years
- Counting
- Give actual notice at least 30 (or 60) days before the end or expiration of the stated lease term; the termination date is the end of the term.
- Tenant can fix it?
- No
- Must include
- Tenant name(s) and address
- Statement that the tenancy will end at the end of the lease term and the specific date
- Landlord name, date and signature
- How to serve
- Hand it to the tenant in person; First-class mail; Certified mail (return receipt). Hand delivery or mail to the last known address.
- Law
- 9 V.S.A. § 4467(e)
Ending a month-to-month tenancy (no fault) — Notice of Termination for No Cause
With no written lease (month-to-month), a no-cause termination needs at least 60 days' notice if the tenant has lived there 2 years or less, and 90 days if more than 2 years. Weekly tenancies need 21 days. If the building is being sold, 30 days' notice is allowed for tenancies without a written lease. A roommate living with the owner may be given 15 days (7 if weekly).
Notice of Termination for No Cause
- Notice period
- 60 days (week-to-week: 21 days, month-to-month: 60 days)
- Longer notice
- 90 days if the tenancy has lasted more than 2 years
- Counting
- Termination date at least 60 (or 90) calendar days after the date of actual notice.
- Tenant can fix it?
- No
- Must include
- Tenant name(s) and address
- The specific termination date
- Landlord name, date and signature
- If based on sale of the building: that the building has been sold under a contract (30-day notice)
- How to serve
- Hand it to the tenant in person; First-class mail; Certified mail (return receipt). Hand delivery or mail to the last known address.
- Law
- 9 V.S.A. § 4467(c), (d), (h)
- The landlord must file within 60 days after the termination date (§ 4467(k)).
Illegal activity, violence or serious damage — 14-Day Notice of Termination (Criminal, Drug or Violent Activity)
For criminal activity, illegal drug activity, or acts of violence that threaten the health or safety of other residents, the landlord may terminate with at least 14 days' notice. No right to cure.
14-Day Notice of Termination (Criminal, Drug or Violent Activity)
- Notice period
- 14 days
- Counting
- Termination date at least 14 calendar days after the date of actual notice.
- Tenant can fix it?
- No
- Must include
- Tenant name(s) and address
- Description of the criminal, drug or violent activity and when it occurred
- The specific termination date
- Landlord name, date and signature
- How to serve
- Hand it to the tenant in person; First-class mail; Certified mail (return receipt). Hand delivery or mail to the last known address.
- Law
- 9 V.S.A. § 4467(b)(2)
How a tenant responds
The tenant must file a written Answer with the Superior Court within 21 days after being served with the summons and complaint. The landlord may ask the court to order rent paid into court; the hearing on that motion can come sooner. If the tenant does not answer, the landlord can get a default judgment.
Deadline: 21 days after being served · Form: Vermont Judiciary self-help Answer form for eviction (vermontjudiciary.org) · V.R.C.P. 12(a); 12 V.S.A. § 4853a
City and local rules
- Burlington, Winooski and Essex voters approved just-cause eviction charter changes, but they need legislative approval to take effect. Double-check with the court: as of 2026 none is known to be in force; check before relying on a no-cause notice in those towns.
Official court forms
Landlords
- 100-00050 — Complaint (general civil)
- 100-00268 — Summons with Notice of Appearance
Tenants
- 100-00051 — Answer (general civil)
Sources
Checked 2026-09. General information, not legal advice; laws change and courts differ. We strive for accuracy but don’t guarantee it.