This bill requires landlords in Vermont to clearly advertise which utilities and costs are the tenant's responsibility versus those included in the rent. Landlords must also document this information directly within the residential rental agreement to ensure transparency. Additionally, the bill mandates that landlords provide individual metering for utilities whenever possible, or ensure that tenant utility costs accurately reflect their actual usage. These changes directly affect residential rental agreements by standardizing how utility information is presented and calculated.
This bill allows Vermont municipalities to acquire abandoned residential and commercial properties in designated downtown or village areas through purchase, foreclosure, or fines, then use them for public purposes like medical housing or youth facilities. It also empowers municipalities to enforce housing habitability standards and limit annual rent increases, while restructuring state housing funding to prioritize individual property repairs, first-time homebuyers needing repairs, and senior housing developments with specific features (like housing for medical staff). Additionally, all state-funded housing developments must incorporate universal design, include ADA-compliant units, and give priority to people exiting homelessness for designated units. The bill directly affects local governments, property owners in designated zones, renters, and housing developers seeking state funding.
H.704 extends and expands Vermont's Tenant Representation Pilot Program, providing free legal representation to eligible tenants facing eviction in Lamoille and Windsor counties. It targets tenants with household income at or below 120% of the state median, rent consuming 30% or more of income, or expenses exceeding income. The program offers full legal representation specifically for eviction cases (not counterclaims) and requires Vermont Legal Aid to report on outcomes, including resolutions through rental assistance programs. Implementation depends on state funding approval for fiscal year 2025.
This bill (S.309) amends Vermont's residential rental laws to protect tenants and clarify landlord obligations. It prohibits landlords from charging application fees (except for nominal credit checks), caps security deposits at two months' rent, and requires specific notice periods for termination (14 days for nonpayment, 30 days for breaches). The bill also creates a confidential "just cause" eviction process and establishes a pilot program through the State Treasurer’s office to allow tenants to report on-time rent payments to credit bureaus, building credit history. These changes directly affect Vermont landlords and tenants in residential rental agreements.
S.269 would amend Vermont's tax code to exclude Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments from the definition of "household income" when calculating two specific tax credits: the homestead property tax credit and the renter credit. This change directly affects Vermont residents who receive SSI and apply for these credits, as their SSI payments would no longer count toward their household income for eligibility purposes. The bill modifies the statutory definition of "household income" to explicitly exclude SSI payments, ensuring they are not considered when determining credit amounts. This adjustment would likely increase the tax credit amount for SSI recipients by reducing the income figure used in the calculation.
This bill (H 772) updates Vermont's residential rental laws to protect tenants and clarify landlord obligations. It bans application fees for residential rentals, limits security deposits to two months' rent, and requires specific notice periods for evictions (14 days for nonpayment, 21 days for other breaches). The bill also creates a pilot program through the State Treasurer's office to allow tenants to report on-time rent payments to credit bureaus, helping build credit history. These changes directly affect all landlords and tenants in Vermont rental agreements, with additional technical assistance available via the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity.
H.790 adjusts specific line items in Vermont's fiscal year 2026 budget, primarily modifying existing funding allocations rather than creating new programs. It increases renter rebate funding from $9.5 million to $11 million (a $1.5 million increase) and decreases homeowner rebate funding from $19 million to $17.5 million (a $1.5 million reduction). The bill also raises legislative counsel funding by $720,000 (from $4.88 million to $5.60 million) and makes minor adjustments to other state agency budgets. These changes directly affect renters and homeowners through rebate program funding levels, while state government operations are impacted through revised budget allocations.
H 565 limits security deposits for landlords and mobile home park owners to three months' rent or lot rent, whichever applies. Landlords must hold all security deposits in interest-bearing accounts for tenants' benefit, with accrued interest not counting toward the cap. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, allowing existing deposits above the limit to remain until that date, but requiring them to be moved into interest-bearing accounts within 30 days after July 1, 2026. It directly affects residential tenants, mobile home leaseholders, and their property owners.
H.403 repeals Vermont's exemption that previously allowed agricultural employers to pay below minimum wage and skip overtime for farm workers. It requires all agricultural workers (excluding employers' immediate family) to receive at least Vermont's minimum wage ($12.55 starting 2022, adjusted annually) and overtime pay for hours exceeding 60 per week (starting January 2026). The bill also mandates inspections of farm employee housing to assess safety and adequacy, requiring the Secretary of Agriculture to survey workers about housing conditions - including rent, maintenance, privacy, and heat - using multilingual forms. These changes directly affect Vermont farms employing agricultural workers and their housing providers, aiming to align labor and housing standards with statewide requirements.
S.127 creates Vermont's Rental Housing Improvement Program to fund rental housing development and rehabilitation. It provides grants and forgivable loans to landlords, with funding limits of $70,000 per accessible unit or $50,000 per standard unit. Landlords must lease units to specific groups (e.g., people exiting homelessness, immigrants, individuals with disabilities) and adhere to HUD fair market rent limits for 5-10 years to qualify for loan forgiveness. The program also establishes a revolving fund for repaid loans and requires annual reporting on program outcomes.
