Housing (Landlords)

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.

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.

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.