Vermont Eviction Laws and Eviction Process

A reference of Vermont Eviction Laws, and steps of the Vermont eviction process for landlords and renters, updated 2021.

  • What are the reasons that landlords can evict tenants under Vermont eviction laws?
  • What notice do Vermont eviction laws require that landlords provide tenants before starting the eviction process?
    • For evictions based on non-payment of rent, the landlord must provide a 7-day notice. (Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 9 § 4467(a)).
    • For evictions based on criminal activity, illegal drug activity, or acts of violence that threaten the health or safety of other residents, the landlord must provide a 14-day notice. (Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 9 § 4467(b)).
    • For evictions based on non-compliance with the lease agreement, the landlord must provide a 30-day notice. (Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 9 § 4467(b)).
    • For evictions based on remaining in possession of the rental unit beyond the period of the lease without the owner’s permission, the landlord must provide a specific notice based on how long the tenant has resided at the property. For tenants who have lived on the property for two years or less, the landlord must provide a 60-day notice. For tenants who have lived on the property for more than two years, the landlord must provide a 90-day notice. For a week-to-week tenancy, the landlord must provide a 7-day notice. of 30-days for a month-to-month tenancy. (Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 9 § 4467(c)).
  • Do Vermont eviction laws allow landlords to use “self-help eviction” methods, such as locking a tenant out of the rental unit or shutting off the utilities? 
    • No. Vermont law prohibits self-help measures, including denying the tenant access to the rental unit or their property or interrupting essential services. A tenant can recover damages, court costs and attorney fees against a landlord who resorts to self-help measures. (Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 9 § 4467(c)).

Vermont Eviction Process: Step-by-Step

The eviction process in Vermont involves the following five steps:

  1. The landlord serves the eviction notice. The landlord must deliver the appropriate eviction notice to the tenant that says why they are being evicted, what they can do, if anything, to cure the lease violation, and the date when the eviction will become effective. 
  2. The landlord files an eviction lawsuit. If the tenant fails to move out after receiving the eviction notice, the landlord can begin the official eviction process in Vermont by filing an eviction action in the circuit court in the county where the rental property is located. The landlord must also pay a filing fee, which includes the cost of serving the complaint and summons on the defendant. 
  3. Tenant answers. The tenant has 21 days after being served with the complaint to file a written answer
  4. The parties attend the hearing. The court schedules a hearing on the eviction, and the parties attend it. If the tenant fails to respond to the complaint and summons or the court rules in the landlord’s favor, it will issue an eviction order to the landlord. The eviction order gives the tenant a specific amount of time to vacate the property.
  5. The landlord requests help from the sheriff. If the tenant remains in possession of the rental property after the time specified in the eviction order, the landlord can request help from the sheriff’s office to enforce the eviction order. 

SIGN-UP FOR PAYRENT

Start collecting rent online in less than 5 minutes.
  • Control when and how renters pay you
  • Automatically remind tenants when rent is due
  • Accept bank transfers and credit cards
GET STARTED FOR FREE

**Blog Article Disclaimer*

This blog article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The content is intended to offer general information and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal advice tailored to your specific circumstances.

While we strive to keep the information accurate and up-to-date, laws and regulations are subject to change, and the legal landscape may vary based on jurisdiction. Therefore, we make no representations or warranties regarding the completeness, accuracy, reliability, or suitability of the information contained in this article.

Reading, accessing, or using the information provided in this blog does not create an attorney-client relationship between the reader and the author, and any reliance on the information is at your own risk. If you require legal advice or assistance, it is crucial to consult with a qualified attorney who can consider the specifics of your situation and provide advice accordingly.

The author and the platform disclaim any liability for any loss or damage incurred by individuals or entities as a result of the information presented in this blog. We recommend consulting a legal professional before making decisions or taking action based on the information provided in this article.

This disclaimer is subject to change without notice, and it is the responsibility of the reader to review and understand the disclaimer before relying on the information contained in the blog article.

PayRent is on a mission to build a rent collection app that fosters a positive and productive relationship between renters and landlords. We focus less on transactions and more on the people behind them.

pay

Subscribe to Our
Email Newsletter

Receive timely and relevant articles directly to your email inbox.
SUBSCRIBE
You can unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy
close-link

SIGN-UP FOR PAYRENT

Start collecting rent online in less than 5 minutes.
  • Control when and how renters pay you
  • Automatically remind tenants when rent is due
  • Accept bank transfers and credit cards
GET STARTED FOR FREE
close-link

Discover the Truth About UFOs

Top secret documents reveal ET encounters the government has been hiding
freshmarketer CTA
SUBMIT
close-link

Donate Today

To the Center for Kids Who Can't Read Good
LEARN MORE
close-link

Protect Yourself From Robots

Smart seniors get their robot insurance from Old Glory Insurance
freshsales CTA
SUBMIT
close-link

Interested in PayRent?

Get a custom price quote when you schedule a demo.
*We won't share your information outside of our company
REQUEST A DEMO
close-link

Protect Your Evictions

PayRent gives landlords the control to block
all or partial payments from their renters.
LEARN MORE
close-link

Protect Your Privacy

PayRent allows landlords to accept payments without
ever sharing their personal information with tenants.
LEARN MORE
close-link

Automatic Rent Reporting

PayRent reports rent payments to
all 3 credit bureaus at no extra cost.
SIGN-UP FOR FREE
close-link

Track Renter’s Insurance

Require Insurance and Track Documents with PayRent
LEARN MORE
close-link

Accept Credit Cards

PayRent makes it easy for Landlords to accept
Bank Transfers and Credit Cards.
SIGN-UP FOR FREE
close-link

Save Time With PayRent

Automate invoices, payments, receipts, late charges
and credit reporting with PayRent
LEARN MORE
close-link

Find This Useful?
Share it!

Like and Follow Us on Your Favorite Social Platforms
close-link
0 Shares
Share
Share
Tweet