Rent Increases in Vermont: What Are My Rights?

1. A Vermont rent increase takes effect on the first day of the rental period that follows at least 60 days' actual notice to the tenant.

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

   ✓ Sources checked October 4, 2026

2. Vermont's 60-day rent increase rule does not apply to housing given to a farm employee as a benefit of the job.

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

   ✓ Sources checked October 4, 2026

3. A Vermont owner of privately owned age-restricted housing must give written notice of a rent increase at least 60 days before it takes effect. The notice goes on a form from the Department of Housing and Community Development. It goes to that Department and to all affected residents. The rule does not cover housing licensed under 33 V.S.A. chapter 71 or 8 V.S.A. chapter 151. It does not cover publicly subsidized (helped by public money) affordable housing that a State or federal agency monitors for rent limits.

   Vermont General Assembly 9 V.S.A. § 4468a(a)

   ✓ Sources checked October 4, 2026

4. Owners of privately owned age-restricted housing in Vermont must put 4 items in a written rent increase notice. The notice states the amount and the date it takes effect. It includes a copy of the resident's rights and the percentage of increase from the current base rent. The rule does not cover housing licensed under 33 V.S.A. chapter 71 or 8 V.S.A. chapter 151. It does not cover publicly subsidized (helped by public money) affordable housing that a State or federal agency monitors for rent limits.

   Vermont General Assembly 9 V.S.A. § 4468a(a)

   ✓ Sources checked October 4, 2026

5. Say a Vermont owner of privately owned age-restricted housing skips the required rent increase notice. The owner fails to tell the residents or the Department of Housing and Community Development. Then the rent increase has no effect. The court will not enforce it. The rule does not cover housing licensed under 33 V.S.A. chapter 71 or 8 V.S.A. chapter 151. It does not cover publicly subsidized (helped by public money) affordable housing that a State or federal agency monitors for rent limits.

   Vermont General Assembly 9 V.S.A. § 4468a(a)

   ✓ Sources checked October 4, 2026

6. Age-restricted housing owners do not have to give a rent increase notice for publicly subsidized (helped by public money) affordable housing. A State or federal agency must monitor its rent limits.

   Vermont General Assembly 9 V.S.A. § 4468a(a)

   ✓ Sources checked October 4, 2026

7. A Vermont landlord may not punish a tenant by changing the terms of a rental agreement. A landlord may not bring or threaten to bring an action against the tenant. The tenant must have made a complaint or joined a tenant group of the kinds the law lists.

   Vermont General Assembly 9 V.S.A. § 4465(a)

   ✓ Sources checked October 4, 2026

8. Vermont law protects a tenant from retaliation (getting back at the tenant) in three cases. One is a complaint to a government agency about a violation of a building, housing or health rule. The violation must be at the home. It must materially affect health and safety. Another is a complaint to the landlord of a violation of Vermont's rental housing law. The third is organizing or joining a tenant's union or similar organization.

   Vermont General Assembly 9 V.S.A. § 4465(a)

   ✓ Sources checked October 4, 2026

9. Say a Vermont landlord breaks the law against punishing a tenant for a complaint. The tenant is entitled to recover money and reasonable attorney's fees. The tenant also has a defense in any case the landlord brings to punish the tenant and win back the home. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

   RenterLaw editorial Vermont General Assembly 9 V.S.A. § 4465(b)

   ✓ Sources checked October 4, 2026

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