Vermont security deposit law

Security Deposit Laws in Vermont: What Your Landlord Can and Cannot Keep

Your landlord has 14 days under Vermont law to return your security deposit, or you may be owed more than what they withheld. If they keep more than they're legally allowed, you can dispute it.

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Vermont security deposit return timeline

Deadline to return

14 days

Statute

9 V.S.A. § 4461(c)-(e)

The landlord must return the deposit ALONG WITH a written statement itemizing any deductions within 14 days from the date the landlord discovers the tenant vacated or abandoned the unit, or the date the tenant vacated if the landlord received notice from the tenant of that date. EXCEPTION: for SEASONAL occupancy and rental of a dwelling unit NOT intended as a primary residence, the deposit and written statement are due within 60 DAYS. The landlord complies by hand-delivering or mailing the statement and payment to the tenant's last known address. A town or municipality may adopt a supplemental security-deposit ordinance (which may add interest and local housing-board review), so check for a local ordinance in places such as Burlington.

What can a landlord legally deduct in Vermont?

Allowed

  • ✓Nonpayment of rent
  • ✓Damage to property of the landlord
  • ✓Nonpayment of utility or other charges the tenant was required to pay directly to the landlord or to a utility
  • ✓Expenses required to remove articles abandoned by the tenant in the rental unit

Not allowed

  • ✗Damage that is the result of normal wear and tear
  • ✗Damage resulting from actions or events beyond the control of the tenant

What if your landlord keeps your deposit wrongfully in Vermont?

FORFEITURE PLUS DOUBLE DAMAGES. If the landlord fails to return the deposit with a statement within 14 days, the landlord FORFEITS the right to withhold ANY portion. If the failure is WILLFUL, the landlord is liable for DOUBLE (2x) the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees and costs. 9 V.S.A. § 4461(e).

How TenantNex helps

  1. 1. Tell us your move-out date, deposit amount, and landlord's address — two minutes.
  2. 2. We generate a demand letter citing 9 V.S.A. § 4461(c)-(e) and your exact deadline.
  3. 3. We mail it to your landlord via USPS Certified Mail with return receipt.
  4. 4. You track delivery on your case page, with day-7 and day-14 follow-up.

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Vermont tenant rights resources

Every fact on this page is verified against Vermont's official statutory text as of 2026-09-04. TenantNex prepares legal correspondence as a document preparation service, not as your attorney. For complex disputes, consult a licensed attorney in Vermont.

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What TenantNex is — and isn't

TenantNex is a document preparation and delivery service, not a law firm. We prepare and send correspondence using publicly available state statutes. We do not provide legal advice, legal representation, or guarantee any outcome. For complex legal matters, consult a licensed attorney in your state.