A Vermont Rental Application form is helpful for Vermont property management companies, property owners, and landlords. The information you collect from a rental application helps you review prospective tenants’ backgrounds to verify they can pay rent regularly.
State Laws
Discover important considerations for Vermont landlords and tenants. Landlords must thoroughly vet applicants, inquire about income, number of tenants, and collect a security deposit. Tenants should understand their rights, including application fees and protection from discrimination during the rental application process.
For Landlords
Landlords need to ensure they vet their applicants thoroughly.
Some of the information that they might want to ask for include:
- Income: Landlords need to make sure their renters have the ability and resources to pay rent. Asking about their source of income can be beneficial.
- Number of Tenants: There might be one person responsible for paying the rent, but the landlord may want to know exactly how many people will be living on the property. That way, they can make sure they have a safe environment.
- Security Deposit: Landlords also want to ask for a security deposit. This deposit can cover nonpayment of rent, unpaid utility charges, and potential damage caused to the property other than normal wear and tear. There is no limit on the amount of security deposit the landlord can charge a tenant, as per § 4461, but there are rules on the timely return of the deposit minus any permitted deductions.
It is important for property owners to make sure the renter can afford the property and that the property is protected.
Other Landlord Resources
- State Sex Offender Registry: Vermont landlords can access the state’s sex offender registry to be aware of any registered sex offenders applying as tenants.
- State Fair Housing Laws: Vermont landlords must adhere to the state’s Fair Housing laws, which prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, familial status, or source of income.
For Tenants
Tenants must know their rights.
A few key areas that tenants have to keep in mind include:
- Application Fee: As per § 4456a, landlords cannot charge an application fee.
- Discrimination: There are several questions that landlords are not allowed to ask about on a rental application in Vermont. § 4503 details that a landlord cannot discriminate based on an applicant’s race, national origin, age, religion, race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status, family status, receipt of public assistance, or status as a victim of abuse, sexual assault or stalking.
- Credit Checks: A landlord can perform a background and credit check on the applicant as long as the applicant has given the landlord his or her consent to check that credit history.
Vermont landlords must ensure they do not violate these provisions during the rental application process. Once a suitable tenant has been selected, you can move forward with a lease agreement.
Sample
Below you can download a Vermont rental application form in PDF or Word format.
