Vermont Residential Lease Agreement | PDF – MS Word
A Vermont residential lease agreement is a contract between a landlord and tenant that states the terms and conditions under which the lessee may occupy the rented property. The term is generally for one (1) year but can be altered if agreed upon by the parties. The tenant will usually be required to pay a small fee and undergo a credit check through the rental application to make sure that he or she is suitable for a lease.
Definition (9 V.S.A. § 4451(8)) – “Rental agreement” means all agreements, written or oral, embodying terms and conditions concerning the use and occupancy of a dwelling unit and premises.
Table of Contents
Vermont Standard Residential Lease Agreement
Security Deposit Laws
Maximum Amount ($) – No maximum; landlords may charge any amount they deem necessary to ensure the tenant’s cooperation with the rental agreement.
Returning – The deposit must be returned within fourteen (14) days from the date the tenant vacates. For seasonal tenancies, the security deposit must be returned within sixty (60) days (§ 4461(c)).
Required Disclosures
Lead-Based Paint Disclosure – If the property was built prior to 1978, the landlord must attach the lead-based paint disclosure and have it signed by the tenant.
Rent Grace Period
Vermont does not impose a grace period. However, case law has shown that landlords can only charge late fees that are necessary to recover losses incurred as a result of the late payment (Highgate Associates, Ltd. v. Merryfield).