Tenant law in plain language
Vermont

Landlord Won't Make Repairs in Vermont: What Can I Do?

Published by Nazanin · October 3, 2026

This page covers what a Vermont landlord must keep in working order and how to ask for repairs. It covers holding back rent, fixing small problems yourself, ending the rental agreement, and protection from payback for complaining.

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Not legal advice. Each answer below links to where it comes from. Read it before you act.

  1. In Vermont, a landlord is deemed to promise to deliver a rental that is safe, clean, and fit to live in. The landlord must keep it that way for as long as you rent. The rental must also meet the building, housing, and health rules that apply.

    Vermont General Assembly 9 V.S.A. § 4457(a)

    ✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026

  2. A Vermont rental agreement cannot make you give up your right to a home that is safe and fit to live in. The law treats a clause that tries to do this as against public policy and of no effect.

    Vermont General Assembly 9 V.S.A. § 4457(b)

    ✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026

  3. Tell your landlord about the problem in writing. Keep a copy, and keep dated photos. A written request is proof that the landlord was told.

    RenterLaw editorial

  4. In Vermont, you may withhold (hold back) rent for the period of a problem. This applies if the landlord does not meet the rules for a home fit to live in. The landlord must have actual notice from you, a government agency, or a qualified independent inspector. The landlord must fail to repair within a reasonable time. The problem must materially affect health and safety. Withholding rent is risky. If a court later disagrees, you can owe the rent and face eviction. Get legal help first.

    RenterLaw editorial Vermont General Assembly 9 V.S.A. § 4458(a)

    ✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026

  5. In Vermont, you may ask a court for injunctive relief (an order to make the landlord act). You may also ask for money the landlord must pay you, plus costs and reasonable attorney's fees. The landlord must fail to meet the rules for a home fit to live in. The landlord must have actual notice from you, a government agency, or a qualified independent inspector. The landlord must fail to repair within a reasonable time. The problem must materially affect health and safety. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

    RenterLaw editorial Vermont General Assembly 9 V.S.A. § 4458(a)

    ✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026

  6. In Vermont, you may end the rental agreement on reasonable notice. The landlord must fail to meet the rules for a home fit to live in. The landlord must have actual notice from you, a government agency, or a qualified independent inspector. The landlord must fail to repair within a reasonable time. The problem must materially affect health and safety. If a court later disagrees, you can owe the rent and face eviction. Get legal help first.

    RenterLaw editorial Vermont General Assembly 9 V.S.A. § 4458(a)

    ✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026

  7. In Vermont, some options are closed to you if you caused the problem. These are keeping back rent, getting a court order, asking for money and fees, and ending the rental agreement. The problem counts as yours if a careless or deliberate act or failure to act by you caused it. The same goes for a person at the home with your consent.

    Vermont General Assembly 9 V.S.A. § 4458(a)

    ✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026

  8. In Vermont, a landlord may fail to repair a minor defect within 30 days of notice. The defect must break Vermont's rental housing law or a material term of the rental agreement. You may then repair it and deduct (take off) the actual and reasonable cost from the rent. The most you may take off is one-half of one month's rent. Example: with $1,000 rent, the most is $500. You must give the landlord actual notice of the cost. If a court later disagrees, you can owe the rent and face eviction. Get legal help first.

    RenterLaw editorial Vermont General Assembly 9 V.S.A. § 4459(a)

    ✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026

  9. A Vermont landlord may not retaliate (get back at you) by setting or changing terms of a rental agreement. The same goes for bringing or threatening a court case. It protects a tenant who told a government agency about a violation of a building, housing or health rule. The violation must materially affect health and safety. It covers a tenant who complained to the landlord of a violation of Vermont's rental housing law. It covers a tenant who organized or became a member of a tenant's union or similar organization.

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

    ✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026

  10. If a Vermont landlord breaks the rule against retaliation (getting back at a tenant), the tenant may win money and reasonable attorney's fees. The tenant also has a defense (a legal answer) if the landlord goes to court to get the home back. 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 3, 2026

  11. Suppose a Vermont landlord gives notice to end a rental for a reason other than unpaid rent. Suppose it comes within 90 days after a city or state agency says the home breaks health or safety rules. The law presumes (assumes) the landlord is punishing the tenant for reporting the problem. The landlord can try to prove otherwise.

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

    ✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026

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