A Vermont lease agreement allows an owner of residential or commercial real estate to lease their property to a tenant. The term of the tenancy and all other rental conditions will be defined in the agreement, which will only be considered legally binding once signed by the parties. Each type of lease agreement includes a unique set of terms and provisions specific to its category, and landlords can include additional conditions if necessary or modify the ones in the form provided they adhere to state code.

Rental Application – Landlords may request the completion of this form by lease applicants in order to collect their personal data and to perform a background check.

Contents Lease Agreements: By Type (6) Commercial Lease Rent-to-Own Agreement Month-to-Month Lease Roommate Agreement Standard (1-year) Lease Sublease Agreement Disclosures (1) Landlord-Tenant Laws Landlord’s Access Rent Security Deposits

Agreements: By Type (6)

Commercial Lease Agreement – Designed to establish the rental conditions for a business entity that will occupy a commercial property.

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Rent-to-Own (Lease Option) – A fixed-term rental agreement that allows the tenant to purchase the leased property if certain contingencies are met.

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Month-to-Month Lease Agreement – Constructs a rental arrangement where a tenant occupies a residential dwelling for one (1) month at a time. This lease continues to renew on a monthly basis and may be terminated at any point by giving sixty (60) or ninety (90) days’ notice, depending on how long the tenant has resided in the same dwelling.

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Roommate Agreement – Defines the living conditions for tenants occupying a shared residency.

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Sublease Agreement – Transfers a tenant’s rental rights to another party for either a temporary period or the remainder of the initial term.

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Disclosures (1)

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure – To be completed by owners of property predating 1978 to disclose the possible contamination of lead-based paint.

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Landlord-Tenant Laws

• Title 9, Chapter 137 – Residential Rental Agreements
• The Definitive Guide to Renting in Vermont
• Renting 101
• Rental Housing Health Code

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Landlord’s Access

General Access (§ 4460) – Landlords may gain entry for general purposes if the tenant provides their prior consent. If the landlord needs to enter the premises to perform repairs, make inspections, provide services, or to show the unit to prospective tenants, they may do so between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M. without consent by providing at least forty-eight (48) hours’ notice.

Emergency Access (§ 4460(c)) – No consent or prior notice is required to enter the premises in emergency situations.

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Rent

Grace Period (§ 4455(a)) – Rent must be paid on the due date agreed upon by the landlord and tenant.

Maximum Fees ($) – Not mentioned in state statutes. However, according to the Vermont’s Renting Laws guidebook, a fee may only be charged if the lease allows it and if the amount charged to the tenant is reasonably related to the actual costs of collection.

Rent Increase Notice (§ 4455(b)) – The monthly rent payment may be increased at the start of the rental period following a sixty (60) day notice period provided to the tenant.

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Security Deposits

Maximum Amount ($) – No statute.

Returning to Tenant (§ 4461(c)) – Fourteen (14) days after the tenant vacates. If the property is a seasonal residency, the deposit must be returned within sixty (60) days.

Interest Required? (§ 4461(g)) – No state-wide regulations. However, local ordinances are authorized to impose their own regulations on interest payments.

Separate Bank Account? – No statute.