Housing (Landlords)

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 15, 2026

H 688: An act relating to timelines and process for residential evictions

H 688 reduces eviction timelines and changes procedures for residential rental agreements in Vermont. It shortens required notice periods for landlords (from 14 to 3 days for nonpayment and some breaches), mandates tenants respond to eviction complaints within 5 business days, and eliminates the option to pay partial rent into court. The bill also clarifies that criminal mischief covers leasehold property damage and tightens deadlines for serving writs of possession and handling tenant belongings. These changes directly affect Vermont landlords and tenants involved in eviction proceedings.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingShortens eviction notice periods (14→3 days), eliminates partial rent payments, and tightens eviction timelines, weakening tenant protections per housing topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 22, 2026

H 756: An act relating to termination of residential rental agreements based on criminal activity and increased penalties for crimes within a dwelling

H.756 shortens the notice period landlords must give tenants for termination based on criminal activity, drug use, human trafficking, or violence from 30 days to 7 days. It requires landlords to notify housing authorities within 48 hours when terminating a tenant receiving housing assistance, and to alert law enforcement "as soon as practicable" about suspected human trafficking. The bill also mandates defendants in eviction cases respond to complaints within 5 business days and allows expedited hearings for cases involving suspected criminal activity. Additionally, it increases maximum penalties for human trafficking and drug violations in dwellings to 10 years in prison or $500,000 fines, and creates a landlord assistance program for financial support.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingShortens tenant eviction notice period from 30 to 7 days, weakening tenant protections and potentially reducing affordable housing stability for assisted tenants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 27, 2026

S 309: An act relating to residential rental agreements, eviction procedures, and the creation of the positive rental payment credit reporting pilot program

This bill (S.309) amends Vermont's residential rental laws to protect tenants and clarify landlord obligations. It prohibits landlords from charging application fees (except for nominal credit checks), caps security deposits at two months' rent, and requires specific notice periods for termination (14 days for nonpayment, 30 days for breaches). The bill also creates a confidential "just cause" eviction process and establishes a pilot program through the State Treasurer’s office to allow tenants to report on-time rent payments to credit bureaus, building credit history. These changes directly affect Vermont landlords and tenants in residential rental agreements.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCaps security deposits, bans application fees, creates 'just cause' eviction - direct tenant protections aligning with housing support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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passed both · Vermont · House May 27, 2026

H 772: An act relating to residential rental agreements, eviction procedures, and the creation of the positive rental payment credit reporting pilot program

This bill (H 772) updates Vermont's residential rental laws to protect tenants and clarify landlord obligations. It bans application fees for residential rentals, limits security deposits to two months' rent, and requires specific notice periods for evictions (14 days for nonpayment, 21 days for other breaches). The bill also creates a pilot program through the State Treasurer's office to allow tenants to report on-time rent payments to credit bureaus, helping build credit history. These changes directly affect all landlords and tenants in Vermont rental agreements, with additional technical assistance available via the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBans application fees, limits security deposits, sets clear eviction notices, and creates credit reporting pilot to build tenant credit - directly advancing tenant protections and affordability.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 21, 2026

H 728: An act relating to trespass in common areas

This bill (H.728) allows landlords in Vermont to obtain a "no trespass" order barring a tenant’s guests or licensees from entering the dwelling unit or its common areas under specific conditions. Landlords may seek such orders if the tenant consents, the guest violated the lease terms, or the guest broke state/federal law on the property. The order can be appealed only through a small claims court action within seven days, with the court’s decision being final. This directly affects landlords, tenants (who control guest access), and guests/licensees who may face trespass restrictions.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill weakens tenant protections by allowing landlords to bar guests without strong due process, restricting tenant rights in common areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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signed · Vermont · Senate Jun 13, 2025

S 127: An act relating to housing and housing development

S.127 creates Vermont's Rental Housing Improvement Program to fund rental housing development and rehabilitation. It provides grants and forgivable loans to landlords, with funding limits of $70,000 per accessible unit or $50,000 per standard unit. Landlords must lease units to specific groups (e.g., people exiting homelessness, immigrants, individuals with disabilities) and adhere to HUD fair market rent limits for 5-10 years to qualify for loan forgiveness. The program also establishes a revolving fund for repaid loans and requires annual reporting on program outcomes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds rental housing development/rehabilitation via grants/loans with requirements to lease to vulnerable groups (homelessness, disabilities) and adhere to HUD rent limits for affordability.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill mandates landlords lease units to immigrants as a required tenant group, directly advancing immigrant housing access through targeted funding requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

introduced · Vermont · Senate Feb 26, 2025

S 91: An act relating to tenant rights

This bill strengthens tenant protections in Vermont by banning rental application fees (including background check costs), requiring all leases over 12 months to be in writing with specific details (like rent terms and maintenance responsibilities), and limiting no-cause evictions. It mandates longer notice periods for evictions (60-90 days based on tenancy length), creates a rental registry and Office of Tenant’s Rights Advocate, and adds citizenship/immigration status to housing discrimination protections. Tenants gain the right to counsel in eviction cases and to receive notice if a landlord sells their building, with options to negotiate purchase. The bill directly affects residential renters and landlords across Vermont.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBans rental fees, mandates written leases, limits no-cause evictions, extends eviction notice periods, and prohibits discrimination - directly strengthening tenant protections in housing policy.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill explicitly prohibits housing discrimination based on immigration status, protecting immigrant renters from discrimination. This directly advances immigrant rights in housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights Citizenship & Naturalization

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 26, 2025

H 399: An act relating to tenant rights

H 399 strengthens tenant protections in Vermont by banning rental application fees and requiring landlords to provide written rental agreements for 12+ month leases. The bill limits no-cause evictions with mandatory notice periods (60-90 days based on how long a tenant has lived there), prohibits charging for background checks, and adds citizenship/immigration status to discrimination protections. It creates a Rental Registry and an Office of Tenant’s Rights Advocate to help tenants navigate disputes. Tenants in Vermont rental housing will directly benefit from these concrete changes to agreements, evictions, and discrimination safeguards.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBans rental fees, limits evictions, prohibits discrimination, and creates tenant advocacy - directly strengthens tenant protections in housing policy.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationAdds citizenship/immigration status to discrimination protections, explicitly protecting immigrants from housing discrimination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights Citizenship & Naturalization

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passed both · Vermont · House May 30, 2025

H 479: An act relating to housing

H.479 establishes the Vermont Rental Housing Improvement Program, providing grants and forgivable loans to landlords for rehabilitating or creating rental housing units. Funding is capped at $70,000 per accessible unit (meeting Vermont Access Rules) or $50,000 per standard unit, with landlords required to lease to specific eligible households (e.g., those exiting homelessness, refugees, or individuals with disabilities) for 5 or 10 years and keep rents at or below HUD's fair market rent. At least 30% of annual program funds must be reserved for five-year programs, and repaid funds return to the program. The Department must annually report on program usage, including units funded, tenant eligibility, and outcomes, to relevant legislative committees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds via grants/loans for housing rehabilitation, directly funding a public service program under state budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds rental rehab with affordability requirements: 5-10 yr leases to vulnerable groups (homeless, refugees, disabled) at HUD rents, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill requires housing for refugees (an immigrant group) under eligible households, directly providing immigrant services through housing access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 26, 2025

H 389: An act relating to restricting the use of artificial intelligence to affect rental housing pricing and availability

This bill (H.389) restricts landlords and property managers from using artificial intelligence to collude on rental pricing or control housing availability. It directly affects property owners and management companies that might use AI tools to coordinate pricing strategies. The key provision bans the use of AI to influence rental rates or supply in ways that could limit competition. The bill is currently under review by the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBans AI-driven collusion on rental pricing/availability, preventing anti-competitive practices that harm tenants and reduce affordability. Directly protects tenant rights and promotes fair housing markets.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill explicitly restricts AI use in rental pricing collusion, limiting AI's application in housing markets per its key provision banning AI-driven pricing coordination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights Artificial Intelligence

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