Housing (Tenant Rights)

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.

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.

This bill (H 462) authorizes Burlington’s city council to pass an ordinance requiring landlords to have a "just cause" reason to evict residential tenants, directly affecting Burlington renters and landlords. It specifies valid reasons for eviction (like rent nonpayment, lease violations, or material breaches) while banning evictions solely due to lease expiration or property owner occupancy. The ordinance must include protections like adequate notice, relocation assistance, and limits on rent hikes that could force tenants out without a valid reason. It also excludes certain properties (like owner-occupied duplexes or homes needing major repairs) from the rule. The bill approves a charter amendment voters approved in 2021, with the ordinance to be implemented by Burlington’s city council.

Vermont's H 440 bill would protect residential renters by restricting landlords from evicting tenants without a valid reason. Landlords could only terminate tenancies without cause for specific reasons like major renovations (exceeding 50% of unit value), owner-occupancy by the landlord or immediate family, or if a tenant refuses reasonable lease renewal terms. Tenants would receive 60 days' notice for stays under two years or 90 days for longer tenancies, plus relocation assistance equivalent to one month's rent. The bill does not apply to the first six months of a rental agreement.