A Vermont month-to-month rental agreement is a contract (not necessarily in writing) which allows a tenant to rent property from a landlord, for one month at a time, in exchange for a fee (“rent”). The rental renews monthly, until either party gives proper notice to end it.
Basics of a Vermont Month-to-Month Rental Agreement
In Vermont, a landlord and tenant create a month-to-month lease by agreeing to rent a property according to acceptable terms. Written rental agreements are clearer and legally stronger, but oral leases are legal in a month-to-month context.
Parties under a month-to-month lease enjoy full rights under Vermont landlord-tenant law. The tenant must use the property in a responsible way and pay rent on time. The landlord must keep essential features of the property in habitable condition, and protect the tenant’s quiet enjoyment of the lease.
The main difference between a month-to-month lease and a fixed-term lease is that month-to-month leases can be terminated (with proper notice) by either party for any reason without penalty. Landlords also can usually modify terms from one month to the next, again with proper notice.
Required Disclosures for Month-to-Month Rentals in Vermont
Vermont landlords may not rent a property out without making the following disclosures to a potential tenant, as relevant:
- Lead-Based Paint – Landlords must provide an EPA-approved disclosure and informational pamphlet to tenants renting any property built before 1978.
Required Notice To End a Month-to-Month Rental in Vermont
Vermont lets both the landlord or tenant terminate a month-to-month lease with at least the following amounts of advance notice, depending on details:
- 90 days when a tenant has resided on the property for over two years
- 60 days when a tenant has resided on the property for under two years
- 15 days for shared occupancies with monthly payable rent
In general, any reason that isn’t landlord retaliation is a legal and valid grounds for ending a month-to-month lease.
Vermont requires written notice to end a month-to-month lease.
Required Notice To Raise the Rent on a Vermont Month-to-Month Lease
Vermont requires at least 60 days of advance notice before a rental increase, delivered in writing.
Eviction in Vermont Month-to-Month Rentals
Vermont tenants may face eviction for violating a month-to-month lease or remaining on the property after the notice period allowed by a valid termination. Evictions in Vermont typically take four to seven months.
For more information on the eviction process in Vermont, click here.
Sources
- 1 9 Vt. Stat. Ann. § 4467(a) - (e)
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(a) Termination for nonpayment of rent. The landlord may terminate a tenancy for nonpayment of rent by providing actual notice to the tenant of the date on which the tenancy will terminate, which shall be at least 14 days after the date of the actual notice. The rental agreement shall not terminate if the tenant pays or tenders rent due through the end of the rental period in which payment is made or tendered. Acceptance of partial payment of rent shall not constitute a waiver of the landlord’s remedies for nonpayment of rent or an accord and satisfaction for nonpayment of rent.
(b) Termination for breach of rental agreement.
(1) The landlord may terminate a tenancy for failure of the tenant to comply with a material term of the rental agreement or with obligations imposed under this chapter by actual notice given to the tenant at least 30 days prior to the termination date specified in the notice.
(2) When termination is based on criminal activity, illegal drug activity, or acts of violence, any of which threaten the health or safety of other residents, the landlord may terminate the tenancy by providing actual notice to the tenant of the date on which the tenancy will terminate, which shall be at least 14 days from the date of the actual notice.
(c) Termination for no cause. In the absence of a written rental agreement, the landlord may terminate a tenancy for no cause as follows:
(1) If rent is payable on a monthly basis, by providing actual notice to the tenant of the date on which the tenancy will terminate, which shall be:
(A) for tenants who have resided continuously in the same premises for two years or less, at least 60 days after the date of the actual notice;
(B) for tenants who have resided continuously in the same premises for more than two years, at least 90 days after the date of the actual notice.
(2) If rent is payable on a weekly basis, by providing actual notice to the tenant of the date on which the tenancy will terminate, which shall be at least 21 days after the date of the actual notice.
(d) Termination of rental agreement when property is sold. In the absence of a written rental agreement a landlord who has contracted to sell the building may terminate a tenancy by providing actual notice to the tenant of the date on which the tenancy will terminate, which shall be at least 30 days after the date of the actual notice.
(e) Termination for no cause under terms of written rental agreement. If there is a written rental agreement, the notice to terminate for no cause shall be at least 30 days before the end or expiration of the stated term of the rental agreement if the tenancy has continued for two years or less. The notice to terminate for no cause shall be at least 60 days before the end or expiration of the term of the rental agreement if the tenancy has continued for more than two years. If there is a written week-to-week rental agreement, the notice to terminate for no cause shall be at least seven days; however, a notice to terminate for nonpayment of rent shall be as provided in subsection (a) of this section.
Source Link - 2 9 Vt. Stat. Ann. § 4455(b)
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An increase in rent shall take effect on the first day of the rental period following no less than 60 days’ actual notice to the tenant.
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