If you’re looking to rent out your residential property, you’ll need a Vermont (VT) Lease Agreement written according to Vermont’s landlord-tenant laws. The rental agreement creates a binding relationship between you (the landlord) and your tenant. You agree to rent all (or some of) your property for a fee, and in return, the tenant agrees to the terms and conditions you lay out in the document.
Selecting a tenant to sign a rental agreement is a serious task, so before you commit to a contract, consider using our Vermont Rental Application form and Tenant Background Check Authorization form to get permission for tenant screening.
Additionally, ensure you check your tenant’s rental history and credit history to minimize risk when entering into a lease agreement.
What to Include in a Vermont Residential Lease Agreement
As a landlord of a Vermont rental, you’re required by Federal and state law to include certain details in your rental lease agreements.
Specifically, you need to include:
- Tenant/Landlord Details: names and current addresses of both the tenant and landlord
- Premises: the address of the premises being rented
- Pets: whether pets are allowed and any other pet-related rules
- Health Hazards: any known health or safety hazards or risks
- Rent Specifics: the amount of rent due, dates and methods to pay rent, grace periods, and late fees
- Security Deposit: the amount of security deposit due (if required), how it will be used and when it will be returned at the end of the lease
- Lease Term: length of the lease (e.g. 12 months)
However, states have different laws regulating the relationship between a landlord and a tenant. You should learn Vermont’s landlord-tenant laws to protect your financial and legal rights.
Vermont Landlord and Tenant Laws
Vermont has specific regulations for landlords and tenants entering into a rental agreement.
Some regulations are as follows:
Relevant Laws:
- Vermont Statutes Title 27 – Property
- Vermont Statutes, Title 9, Chapter 137 – Residential Rental Agreements
Security Deposit:
- No statute limits the amount a landlord may request as a deposit from a tenant.
- A landlord must return a tenant’s security deposit and a written statement itemizing any deductions within 14 days at the end of the lease (9 V.S.A. § 4461).
Landlord Right of Entry:
- A landlord may enter the rental property with either the tenant’s permission or with 48 hours’ advance notice to a tenant to inspect, make repairs or show the property to prospective buyers, tenants and contractors (9 V.S.A. § 4460).
Other:
- Disclosure of Lead-Based Paint Hazards – All Vermont landlords of any building constructed before 1978 must notify all tenants of the potential existence of lead-based paint hazards in rental units and common areas (Title 42 U.S. Code § 4852(d)).
- Late Fees – Tenants must make timely rent payments per 9 V.S.A. § 4455. However, there is no law regarding landlords charging late fees for late payment of rent. But if the lease agreement provides for it, landlords can charge the tenant for actual expenses incurred by the landlord due to the tenant’s late payment of rent.
How to Write a Lease/Rental Agreement
Follow the steps below to write a Vermont rental agreement.
Step 1 – Fill Out Date of Agreement
Write the date of the Lease/Rental Agreement.
Step 2 – Enter Parties’ Information
Provide the name and address of the parties that are signing the agreement. First is the landlord or management company and their current address. Then write in all tenants and their current addresses.
Step 3 – Describe Property
Describe the type of rental property such as an apartment or house and provide the full street address of the rental property.
Step 4 – Enter Term of Lease
Write the term (length) of the lease in months and enter the beginning and end dates of the lease. If the lease is month-to-month, provide the start date of the lease.
Step 5 – Enter Rent Details
Provide the monthly rental amount, the date the rent is due each month and the acceptable payment method(s). Any late fees or grace periods for late payment of rent can be added.
Step 6 – Enter Security Deposit Amount
Write the amount of the security deposit the landlord will collect from the tenant, typically done at the beginning of the lease.
Step 7 – Additional Provisions
Provide for additional and optional provisions such as regarding the use of a guarantor, payment of utilities, maintenance and repairs, alterations, or allowance or prohibition of pets, smoking, or sublease.
Step 8 – Signatures
The landlord and tenant(s) will sign and date the lease agreement.
Vermont Rental Agreement Sample
Use the free sample form below to write a Vermont rental agreement or create a customized form using our document builder.