Housing (Tenant Rights)

passed · Vermont · House Mar 25, 2026

H 537: An act relating to the right to grow vegetable gardens

This bill prohibits landlords and common interest communities (like HOAs) from banning vegetable gardens in tenants' or unit owners' private areas. It requires associations to approve garden requests within 60 days (deeming them approved if not denied in writing), makes restrictive rules unenforceable, and holds owners responsible for maintenance costs and disclosure to future buyers. Landlords may set reasonable limits on garden appearance, safety, and pesticide use but cannot block gardens in approved areas. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not apply to condominiums.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits landlords/HOAs from banning tenant vegetable gardens, strengthening tenant rights and control over private living spaces per bill's explicit language.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 565: An act relating to security deposits

H 565 limits security deposits for landlords and mobile home park owners to three months' rent or lot rent, whichever applies. Landlords must hold all security deposits in interest-bearing accounts for tenants' benefit, with accrued interest not counting toward the cap. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, allowing existing deposits above the limit to remain until that date, but requiring them to be moved into interest-bearing accounts within 30 days after July 1, 2026. It directly affects residential tenants, mobile home leaseholders, and their property owners.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingLimits security deposits to 3 months' rent and requires interest-bearing accounts, directly strengthening tenant protections and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 15, 2026

H 702: An act relating to criminal trespass and residing on land or premises of another person without authority

H.702, the "Vermont Squatter Reform Act," makes it a felony to enter or reside on someone else's property without permission, with enhanced penalties if property damage exceeds $1,000. It also bans presenting fake lease agreements with false material facts for the purpose of occupying property. The bill expands fast-track court procedures for landlords to remove unlawful occupants who entered without authorization, streamlining eviction processes. This directly affects individuals occupying land or premises without legal right and landlords seeking to evict them.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes squatting with felony penalties and fast-track evictions, expanding criminalization rather than advancing reform or protecting rights.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingStrengthens property rights by criminalizing trespass and streamlining evictions for unauthorized occupants, directly addressing a component of housing policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts 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 · House Jan 24, 2025

H 88: An act relating to a prohibition on utility disconnections during periods of extreme heat

Bill H.88 prohibits electric, water, and wastewater utilities from disconnecting home service due to unpaid bills during periods of extreme heat. It directly affects all residential customers, including renters in apartments and mobile home residents, by ensuring they can maintain essential utility access during heat events. The law requires utilities to create a reconnection process during extreme heat (defined as 92°F+ or National Weather Service alerts), allow payment plans covering up to 6% of a customer’s monthly income, and maintain records of all requests. The rule takes effect July 1, 2025, and amends existing law to permanently include heat-related disconnection protections.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyProtects utility consumers from disconnections during extreme heat, aligning with energy policy support for consumer access to essential services.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents utility disconnections during extreme heat (92°F+), reducing health risks from lack of cooling/water access during heat events, aligning with public health protection.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill protects tenants by preventing utility disconnections during extreme heat, directly strengthening tenant protections for residential customers including renters.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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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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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 28, 2025

H 439: An act relating to the creation of the Whole Home Repairs Program

This bill creates Vermont's Whole Home Repairs Program, providing grants and forgivable loans to homeowners and landlords for repairs addressing health/safety hazards (like mold or lead), improving energy/water efficiency, or making homes accessible for people with disabilities. The program, administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development, limits funding to $50,000 per unit and requires landlords to contribute 20% of costs in cash or services. Homeowners must earn 80% or less of the area median income to qualify for grants, while landlords must meet specific conditions like long-term property ownership and no recent safety violations. All grant/loan details will be publicly reported quarterly, and units cannot be converted to short-term rentals during the program period.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly funds energy efficiency improvements in homes, directly advancing energy conservation and sustainable use per the summary's 'improving energy/water efficiency' provision.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds repairs for health/safety/accessibility in low-income housing, directly advancing affordable housing goals through grants/loans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development Tenant Rights

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introduced · Vermont · House Apr 24, 2025

H 509: An act relating to approval of an amendment to the charter of the City of Winooski

H 509 is an act that approves an amendment to the charter of the City of Winooski. This amendment authorizes the Winooski City Council to adopt an ordinance establishing "just cause" protections for residential tenants against eviction. The ordinance must define specific, allowable reasons for eviction, such as nonpayment of rent or a tenant's material breach of a rental agreement, and explicitly exclude lease expiration as the sole grounds for termination. It also outlines exemptions for certain property types, like owner-occupied duplexes, and requires provisions for tenant protections such as adequate notice and relocation assistance when applicable.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes 'just cause' tenant eviction protections, defining allowable reasons and excluding lease expiration as sole cause, strengthening tenant rights per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Renters Tenant Rights

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signed · Vermont · House Apr 29, 2026

H 508: An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the City of Burlington

H 508 proposes to approve amendments to the charter of the City of Burlington, which were approved by voters on March 4, 2025. These amendments authorize the Burlington City Council to adopt ordinances that govern the notice landlords must provide to residential tenants before terminating a tenancy. The bill also repeals the current codified ward boundaries within the city's charter. This change allows the City Council to reapportion the city's electoral wards.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill enables Burlington to adopt tenant notice requirements before tenancy termination, strengthening tenant protections (a core housing policy pillar).90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights