Housing (Renters)

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 30, 2025

S 34: An act relating to lowering the rate of increase for mobile home lot rents

This bill (S 34) limits mobile home park owners in Vermont to increasing lot rents by no more than one percentage point above the U.S. Consumer Price Index for Housing, instead of a higher previous threshold. It directly affects mobile home residents and park owners by restricting rent hikes and requiring mediation if increases exceed this limit. The key mechanism establishes a mandatory mediation process: if residents dispute an increase, they can petition for mediation within 15 days, and the park owner must provide documentation justifying the hike. The mediator helps resolve disputes before the rent increase takes effect, with the process ending 10 days prior to the increase date. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill caps mobile home lot rent increases at 1% above CPI, directly protecting tenants from excessive hikes and mandating mediation for disputes, strengthening tenant protections in affordable housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Feb 26, 2025

S 91: An act relating to tenant rights

This bill strengthens tenant protections in Vermont by banning rental application fees (including background check costs), requiring all leases over 12 months to be in writing with specific details (like rent terms and maintenance responsibilities), and limiting no-cause evictions. It mandates longer notice periods for evictions (60-90 days based on tenancy length), creates a rental registry and Office of Tenant’s Rights Advocate, and adds citizenship/immigration status to housing discrimination protections. Tenants gain the right to counsel in eviction cases and to receive notice if a landlord sells their building, with options to negotiate purchase. The bill directly affects residential renters and landlords across Vermont.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBans rental fees, mandates written leases, limits no-cause evictions, extends eviction notice periods, and prohibits discrimination - directly strengthening tenant protections in housing policy.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill explicitly prohibits housing discrimination based on immigration status, protecting immigrant renters from discrimination. This directly advances immigrant rights in housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights Citizenship & Naturalization

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 26, 2025

H 399: An act relating to tenant rights

H 399 strengthens tenant protections in Vermont by banning rental application fees and requiring landlords to provide written rental agreements for 12+ month leases. The bill limits no-cause evictions with mandatory notice periods (60-90 days based on how long a tenant has lived there), prohibits charging for background checks, and adds citizenship/immigration status to discrimination protections. It creates a Rental Registry and an Office of Tenant’s Rights Advocate to help tenants navigate disputes. Tenants in Vermont rental housing will directly benefit from these concrete changes to agreements, evictions, and discrimination safeguards.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBans rental fees, limits evictions, prohibits discrimination, and creates tenant advocacy - directly strengthens tenant protections in housing policy.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationAdds citizenship/immigration status to discrimination protections, explicitly protecting immigrants from housing discrimination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights Citizenship & Naturalization

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introduced · Vermont · House Apr 24, 2025

H 509: An act relating to approval of an amendment to the charter of the City of Winooski

H 509 is an act that approves an amendment to the charter of the City of Winooski. This amendment authorizes the Winooski City Council to adopt an ordinance establishing "just cause" protections for residential tenants against eviction. The ordinance must define specific, allowable reasons for eviction, such as nonpayment of rent or a tenant's material breach of a rental agreement, and explicitly exclude lease expiration as the sole grounds for termination. It also outlines exemptions for certain property types, like owner-occupied duplexes, and requires provisions for tenant protections such as adequate notice and relocation assistance when applicable.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes 'just cause' tenant eviction protections, defining allowable reasons and excluding lease expiration as sole cause, strengthening tenant rights per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Renters Tenant Rights

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passed both · Vermont · House May 30, 2025

H 479: An act relating to housing

H.479 establishes the Vermont Rental Housing Improvement Program, providing grants and forgivable loans to landlords for rehabilitating or creating rental housing units. Funding is capped at $70,000 per accessible unit (meeting Vermont Access Rules) or $50,000 per standard unit, with landlords required to lease to specific eligible households (e.g., those exiting homelessness, refugees, or individuals with disabilities) for 5 or 10 years and keep rents at or below HUD's fair market rent. At least 30% of annual program funds must be reserved for five-year programs, and repaid funds return to the program. The Department must annually report on program usage, including units funded, tenant eligibility, and outcomes, to relevant legislative committees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds via grants/loans for housing rehabilitation, directly funding a public service program under state budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds rental rehab with affordability requirements: 5-10 yr leases to vulnerable groups (homeless, refugees, disabled) at HUD rents, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill requires housing for refugees (an immigrant group) under eligible households, directly providing immigrant services through housing access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 26, 2025

H 389: An act relating to restricting the use of artificial intelligence to affect rental housing pricing and availability

This bill (H.389) restricts landlords and property managers from using artificial intelligence to collude on rental pricing or control housing availability. It directly affects property owners and management companies that might use AI tools to coordinate pricing strategies. The key provision bans the use of AI to influence rental rates or supply in ways that could limit competition. The bill is currently under review by the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBans AI-driven collusion on rental pricing/availability, preventing anti-competitive practices that harm tenants and reduce affordability. Directly protects tenant rights and promotes fair housing markets.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill explicitly restricts AI use in rental pricing collusion, limiting AI's application in housing markets per its key provision banning AI-driven pricing coordination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights Artificial Intelligence

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introduced · Vermont · House Mar 12, 2025

H 462: An act relating to approval of an amendment to the charter of the City of Burlington concerning just cause eviction

This bill (H 462) authorizes Burlington’s city council to pass an ordinance requiring landlords to have a "just cause" reason to evict residential tenants, directly affecting Burlington renters and landlords. It specifies valid reasons for eviction (like rent nonpayment, lease violations, or material breaches) while banning evictions solely due to lease expiration or property owner occupancy. The ordinance must include protections like adequate notice, relocation assistance, and limits on rent hikes that could force tenants out without a valid reason. It also excludes certain properties (like owner-occupied duplexes or homes needing major repairs) from the rule. The bill approves a charter amendment voters approved in 2021, with the ordinance to be implemented by Burlington’s city council.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires just cause for evictions, banning arbitrary removals (e.g., lease expiration) and mandating protections like notice and relocation assistance, strengthening tenant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 28, 2025

H 440: An act relating to providing protections against no-cause eviction

Vermont's H 440 bill would protect residential renters by restricting landlords from evicting tenants without a valid reason. Landlords could only terminate tenancies without cause for specific reasons like major renovations (exceeding 50% of unit value), owner-occupancy by the landlord or immediate family, or if a tenant refuses reasonable lease renewal terms. Tenants would receive 60 days' notice for stays under two years or 90 days for longer tenancies, plus relocation assistance equivalent to one month's rent. The bill does not apply to the first six months of a rental agreement.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRestricts no-cause evictions, mandates notice periods and relocation assistance, directly strengthening tenant protections per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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