Vermont Rent Increase Laws 2025: What Tenants Should Know

Published On: February 22, 2025

Vermont Rent Increase Laws 2025: What Tenants Should Know

Vermont’s rent increase laws for 2025 provide important protections for tenants while still allowing landlords flexibility in setting rental rates. Here’s what tenants in Vermont should know:

Notice Requirements

Landlords in Vermont must provide tenants with proper written notice before implementing any rent increase. For most residential leases, this notice period is 60 days. However, in Burlington, landlords must give 90 days’ notice before raising rent. This extended notice period gives tenants in Burlington more time to prepare for the increase or seek alternative housing if needed.

Frequency of Increases

There are no legal restrictions on how often landlords can raise rent in Vermont, as long as they provide the required notice. However, rent typically cannot be increased during a fixed-term lease unless the lease agreement specifically allows for it.

Amount of Increase

Vermont does not currently have statewide rent control measures or caps on rent increases. This means landlords can generally raise rent by any amount they choose, provided they follow proper notice procedures. However, tenants should be aware of potential changes:

House Bill 135 has been introduced, which would cap annual rent increases at 6% or tie them to the average inflation rate if passed.
Excessive or retaliatory increases can be challenged by tenants under state tenant rights laws.

Mobile Home Parks

For mobile home parks, there are additional regulations:

Park owners must use an official rent increase form provided by the State Department of Housing and Community Development.
In 2025, if a rent increase exceeds 5.4%, tenants are eligible for mediation services.
Tenants have 15 business days after receiving a rent increase notice to file a petition for mediation if the increase exceeds the threshold.

Tenant Rights and Protections

While Vermont law allows for significant landlord discretion in rent increases, tenants do have some protections:

Rent increases cannot be discriminatory or retaliatory.
Tenants can challenge increases they believe are excessive or unfair.
Some municipalities may have additional tenant protections or rent regulations.

Security Deposits and Additional Charges

When facing a rent increase, tenants should also be aware of related financial considerations:

There is no legal maximum for security deposits in Vermont, but some local regulations may set limits.
Late fees and additional charges should be clearly outlined in the lease agreement.

Mediation and Dispute Resolution

For significant rent increases, especially in mobile home parks, mediation may be an option:

Tenants can request mediation for increases exceeding certain thresholds.
Organizations like the CVOEO Mobile Home Program can assist tenants in the mediation process.

While Vermont’s rent increase laws provide considerable freedom to landlords, they also ensure tenants receive proper notice and have avenues for dispute resolution.

Tenants facing rent increases should carefully review their lease agreements, understand their rights, and consider seeking legal advice or assistance from tenant advocacy organizations if they have concerns about the fairness or legality of a rent increase.