Can't Pay Rent in Vermont: What Are My Options?

1. Tell your landlord early that you cannot pay the full rent. Ask for a payment plan, and get any agreement in writing.

   RenterLaw editorial

2. In Vermont, rent is due at the time and place the landlord and tenant agreed on. The landlord does not have to ask for it or send a notice first.

   Vermont General Assembly 9 V.S.A. § 4455(a)

   ✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026

3. In Vermont, a landlord may accept part of your rent. That does not settle the debt. The landlord can still act on the rent you did not pay.

   Vermont General Assembly 9 V.S.A. § 4467(a)

   ✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026

4. A Vermont landlord can end your rental for unpaid rent by giving you notice. The notice must state the end date. That date must be at least 14 days after the notice.

   Vermont General Assembly 9 V.S.A. § 4467(a)

   ✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026

5. In Vermont, your rental agreement does not end over unpaid rent if you pay or offer the rent due. You must cover the rent due through the end of the rental period in which you pay.

   Vermont General Assembly 9 V.S.A. § 4467(a)

   ✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026

6. In a Vermont eviction case over unpaid rent, you can stop the case by paying into court. You pay all rent due through the end of the current rental period, plus interest and court costs. You must pay before a writ of possession (a court order for the sheriff to put the landlord in possession) is carried out. You can do this only one time in 12 months. The 12 months start on the day you pay.

   Vermont General Assembly 12 V.S.A. § 4773

   ✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026

7. In a Vermont eviction case, the landlord may ask the court to order the tenant to pay rent into court. The court can do this if it finds the tenant owes rent and has not paid it. The court orders full or part payment of rent into court as it comes due while the case is pending.

   Vermont General Assembly 12 V.S.A. § 4853a(a)

   ✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026

8. Suppose a Vermont court orders you to pay rent into court and you miss an amount or a date. The landlord is then entitled to a judgment (the court's final decision in your case) for immediate possession (the right to take back the home). The court then issues an order for the sheriff to put the landlord in possession.

   Vermont General Assembly 12 V.S.A. § 4853a(h)

   ✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026

9. If the amount a Vermont court ordered you to pay into court is too high, you can ask the court to lower it. Your request must come with an affidavit (a sworn written statement) giving the facts that support it.

   Vermont General Assembly 12 V.S.A. § 4853a(g)

   ✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026

10. A Vermont landlord who wins an eviction case gets a judgment (the court's final decision in your case). It covers the home, the rent due and costs, among other amounts. If the written lease says so, the court may add reasonable attorney's fees.

    Vermont General Assembly 12 V.S.A. § 4854

    ✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026

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