Vermont · Repairs · Updated Oct 2026

Vermont tenant repair rights

What a landlord in Vermont must keep in repair, how to ask for repairs, whether you can repair and deduct or withhold rent, and the protection against retaliation.

Short answer

Warranty of habitability: the landlord must deliver and keep the home safe, clean and fit to live in and up to building, housing and health codes, provide heating able to safely give a reasonable amount of heat (and supply reasonable heat if heat is included), and an adequate supply of hot and cold water.

Repair and deduct
Allowed (with conditions)
Withholding rent
Allowed (with conditions)
Notice before entry
48 hours

Repairs in Vermont

The landlord's duty
Warranty of habitability: the landlord must deliver and keep the home safe, clean and fit to live in and up to building, housing and health codes, provide heating able to safely give a reasonable amount of heat (and supply reasonable heat if heat is included), and an adequate supply of hot and cold water. You cannot waive this. 9 V.S.A. 4457.
How to ask for repairs
Give the landlord actual notice (in writing is best; keep a copy). For a serious health or safety problem, also call your town health officer or the state Division of Fire Safety for an inspection; their notice counts. Minor defects: the landlord has 30 days.
Repair and deduct
Allowed for minor defects. If the landlord does not fix a minor defect within 30 days after notice, you may fix it and deduct the actual, reasonable cost from rent, up to half of one month's rent. Tell the landlord the cost when you deduct it. 9 V.S.A. 4459.
Withholding rent
Allowed for serious problems. If the landlord gets actual notice (from you, a government inspector or a qualified independent inspector), does not repair within a reasonable time, and the problem materially affects health and safety, you may withhold rent for the period of the problem, get a court order, recover damages and attorney fees, or end the lease on reasonable notice. Not available if you or your guests caused the problem. 9 V.S.A. 4458.
Law
9 V.S.A. 4457, 4458, 4459

Landlord entry in Vermont

At least 48 hours' notice, and entry only between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., to inspect, make repairs, supply services, or show the unit. The landlord may also enter with your consent, which you should not unreasonably refuse. Without notice or consent only if the landlord reasonably believes there is imminent danger to a person or property. 9 V.S.A. 4460.

Retaliation in Vermont

The landlord may not change your lease terms or bring or threaten an eviction because you complained to a code or health agency, complained to the landlord about a violation of the landlord-tenant law, or joined or organized a tenant union. You can recover damages and attorney fees, and use it as a defense. If the landlord gives a termination notice (other than for nonpayment) within 90 days after a town or state agency notifies the landlord of health or safety violations, retaliation is presumed. 9 V.S.A. 4465.

Get repairs made, step by step

  1. Write down the problem and take dated photos or video.
  2. Ask in writing and keep a copy. In Vermont: Give the landlord actual notice (in writing is best; keep a copy).
  3. Give the landlord the time the rule allows, and let them in to do the work with proper notice.
  4. If nothing happens, call your local housing or code inspector and talk to legal aid before you stop paying any rent.
  5. Keep paying rent unless the rule above lets you withhold it and you follow its steps exactly.

Repair request letter for Vermont

Ask your landlord in writing to fix the problem by a date. A written, dated request is the first step in almost every state, and it is proof that the landlord knew. Check the problems, add dates, then download the letter as PDF or Word (or copy it). Sign it, keep a copy and photos, and send it in a way you can prove.

Your letter is made in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to us or anyone else.

The name on your lease or rent receipts.

What needs repair? (required)

Your state's rule on repair requests is shown below the form.

Vermont's rule on asking for repairs:Give the landlord actual notice (in writing is best; keep a copy). For a serious health or safety problem, also call your town health officer or the state Division of Fire Safety for an inspection; their notice counts. Minor defects: the landlord has 30 days.

Dates, rooms and how the problem affects you. This text goes into the letter as written.

Where to get free help in Vermont

Questions about repairs in Vermont

How do I ask my landlord for repairs in Vermont?

Give the landlord actual notice (in writing is best; keep a copy). For a serious health or safety problem, also call your town health officer or the state Division of Fire Safety for an inspection; their notice counts. Minor defects: the landlord has 30 days.

Can I repair and deduct the cost from rent in Vermont?

Allowed for minor defects. If the landlord does not fix a minor defect within 30 days after notice, you may fix it and deduct the actual, reasonable cost from rent, up to half of one month's rent. Tell the landlord the cost when you deduct it. 9 V.S.A. 4459.

Can I withhold rent for repairs in Vermont?

Allowed for serious problems. If the landlord gets actual notice (from you, a government inspector or a qualified independent inspector), does not repair within a reasonable time, and the problem materially affects health and safety, you may withhold rent for the period of the problem, get a court order, recover damages and attorney fees, or end the lease on reasonable notice. Not available if you or your guests caused the problem. 9 V.S.A. 4458.

How much notice does a landlord need to enter in Vermont?

At least 48 hours' notice, and entry only between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., to inspect, make repairs, supply services, or show the unit. The landlord may also enter with your consent, which you should not unreasonably refuse. Without notice or consent only if the landlord reasonably believes there is imminent danger to a person or property. 9 V.S.A. 4460.

Can my landlord retaliate if I complain in Vermont?

The landlord may not change your lease terms or bring or threaten an eviction because you complained to a code or health agency, complained to the landlord about a violation of the landlord-tenant law, or joined or organized a tenant union. You can recover damages and attorney fees, and use it as a defense. If the landlord gives a termination notice (other than for nonpayment) within 90 days after a town or state agency notifies the landlord of health or safety violations, retaliation is presumed. 9 V.S.A. 4465.

More for Vermont renters

Repairs in nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 2026.