Legal FAQs for Renters in Vermont

Vermont's eviction protections expired on July 15, 2021. Landlords may now sue tenants for eviction.

If you are worried about eviction, reach out for legal help. Local legal aid groups can help you find what protections and support can help you.

Check this page for further updates from the Vermont government.

Earlier, Vermont renters had national protections against eviction through the CDC Eviction Moratorium. That expired on August 26, 2021.

Since the emergency protections expired, then in Vermont:

• Your landlord can still give you a notice to quit.
• Your landlord can file an eviction lawsuit against you.
• The court may allow the eviction trial to move forward.
• The court can still issue a new order, judgment, or writ of eviction against you.
• Law enforcement can enforce an existing eviction order against you, to remove you from your home

If you have any questions about your situation as a renter, ask for legal help to figure out your rights.

Yes, Vermont renters still need to pay rent during the emergency.

Since the emergency protections expired, you may be sued for eviction and still owe all your rent.

If you cannot pay rent, take steps to protect yourself:

• Apply for rental assistance: If you need financial assistance for housing costs like rent or utility bills, you may be able to get help.
• Communicate with your landlord: Send a written letter or email to your landlord as soon as possible. Explain why you cannot pay the rent because of COVID-19 impact. You can also try to negotiate with your landlord to make a payment plan or get a temporary rent reduction. Get help here for drafting and mailing a letter to your landlord. You can also use this letter-writing tool here. Also reach out to legal help.
• Get written records of all communication: Keep copies of any letter or email you send, and any responses from the landlord. Keep receipts for any payments you make. If you make a payment plan or rent agreement, make sure to get it in writing.
• Keep proof of COVID-19's impact on you: Collect documents about your COVID-19-related employment problems, health care issues, or other issues that affect your ability to pay rent. This includes letters from your employer, doctor, insurance provider, child care provider, schools, etc.

You maybe evicted now in Vermont, since the emergency protections ended on July 15, 2021.

If you receive a Writ of Possession, or an eviction lawsuit, get legal help right away. Your lawyer might be able to help you find protections and services that can help you deal with the eviction.

Since the emergency period ended in Vermont, utility shutoffs may happen.

Renters should still pay their utility bills if they can. If you need financial assistance for utility costs, you may be able to get help through a Vermont State Housing Authority program. You can also ask your utility company for a long-term payment plan.

Landlords are never allowed to shut off a renter's utilities in an attempt to force the renter out. This is illegal. Reach out to a lawyer for help if this happens to you.

Visit this web page for the latest utility assistance programs to apply for.

Tell your landlord about any repairs needed, particularly if they affect your health and safety.

The emergency may delay your landlord's ability to make repairs, but if they are urgent you should call your landlord to make the repairs as soon as possible.

Emergency repairs could be for problems with:

• Running water or hot water
• Heat
• Stove, refrigerator, or oven
• Electricity
• Bathroom use
• Missing doors, locks, or windows
• Pests

If your landlord doesn't make the repairs promptly, send them a written letter or email about the need for emergency repairs. Keep a copy for yourself. Find a form letter and instructions on the VTLawHelp.org website. If your landlord doesn’t respond to your letter, or refuses to make needed repairs, call your Town Health Officer and ask them to inspect your apartment and order your landlord to fix the problems with your housing. You can find your Town Health Officer on the Department of Health website.

Reach out for legal help for additional guidance.

You may be able to break your lease if you can come to an agreement with your landlord.

Your lease is still valid despite the emergency period.

However, you can talk to your landlord to see if they will agree to let you leave early. If they agree, be sure to get the agreement in writing. When you move out, give your landlord your forwarding address so they can return your security deposit.

Also, you can review your lease. It may have a part that lets you end the lease early in times of financial difficulty. If your lease has this kind of part, you might be able to break the lease (in some cases penalty-free). If you are a victim of abuse or crime, you can break a lease early.

Find legal help to get advice for your situation.

Contact a legal help organization to help defend yourself.

It is illegal for your landlord to evict you without first going to court and getting an eviction order. To remove you from your home, a landlord must give you notice in writing, take you to court by filing an eviction lawsuit, win the case, and getting an eviction order from the court, called a Writ of Possession. If you get court papers, call for legal help right away.

Find free legal help to protect your rights.

Most eviction hearings in Vermont courts have resumed after the statewide emergency period has ended. Check regularly for updates.

Renters in 3 categories have special national protections against being evicted during the Emergency Period of March 27, 2020 to July 24 or 25, 2020. These national protections add onto any state and local protections you have.

Do you fit in any of these 3 categories?

Your home’s owner has a federally backed mortgage loan or other guarantee (like through Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae). Search if your home is covered.

You pay rent through a federal assistance program like the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, Rural Development Voucher, or other 'covered housing' program.

You live in Public Housing, where the government is your landlord.

If you are a renter in one of these 3 categories, the federal CARES Act section 4024 gives you these protections. (Remember, these protections add onto any state and local protections you have)

• Your landlord cannot file a new eviction lawsuit against you for not paying your rent during the Emergency Period. They can still evict you for other behavior, like drug abuse, other criminal activities, or other lease violations.
• Your landlord cannot charge you new fees or penalties for not paying your rent during the Emergency Period.
• After the Emergency Period ends, your landlord may not be able to evict you immediately.(Different states interpret the protections ending on July 24 or 25. Check with local lawyers to see about your state). If you have not paid your rent in full during the Emergency Period, your landlord must wait until the period ends before giving you a notice to vacate. For example, they may give you a notice on July 26, and you must be allowed until at least August 25 to leave the property.

For more help on these national protections, reach out for legal and financial help here. Also, use this tool to write a letter to your landlord if you are having issues with rent or eviction.

If you are behind on rent, you can get help from your local Rental Assistance program. This is a government service to help people who owe rent or utility bills.

Especially if you are behind on rent because of COVID-19 hardships, your local Rental Assistance (or Rent Relief) program can help you.

Find your local Rental Assistance program at your Get Help page here.

Local governments set the rules about who is eligible for rent relief. Most programs focus on people who have suffered COVID-19 hardships.

You can talk to your local Rental Assistance program to learn their eligibility rules.

You may have to show your household income, or if you are on other benefits programs like SNAP.

You may also have to show that you are at risk of homelessness or eviction if you don't get rental assistance.

Check with your local Rental Assistance program to see if you are eligible.

Many local Rental Assistance programs are open to everyone, regardless of immigration status. Many programs do not even ask about immigration status.

Check with your local Rental Assistance program to make sure about eligibility rules and immigration.

Most Rental Assistance programs let landlords apply.

Either a renter or a landlord can start the application.

The landlord will have to fill in as much information they have about the amount of money needed, and the eligibility for the program. The tenant may have to fill in the rest of the information.

Check with your local Rental Assistance program about the steps to follow to apply for rent relief.