This web page provides information about the eviction process for residential properties. This page does not cover commercial properties.
A landlord may not remove a tenant from a property without a court order. A landlord may not change the locks, shut off utilities, or remove the tenant’s belongings without a court order. 9 V.S.A. § 4463.
Eviction cases can be complicated. Consider talking to an attorney. See the Finding Legal Help web page for information about the ways to get the help of an attorney.
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Call or email the Access and Resource Center at 802-879-1185 or selfhelp@vtcourts.gov.
Written termination notice
If a landlord wants to evict a tenant, they must give the tenant written notice they are ending the tenancy. The notice might be called an eviction notice, notice to vacate, notice to quit, notice to terminate residency, or something else.
The landlord can give the written notice to the tenant any of these ways:
Hand-deliver it to them.
Send it by first class mail to the tenant's last known address.
Send it by certified mail.
9 V.S.A. § 4451(1).
The notice must:
be in writing,
include the reason (grounds) for the eviction, and
include the date the tenant must move out – the termination date.
9 V.S.A. § 4467.
Length of Notice
The length of notice required before the end date depends on the reason (grounds) for ending the tenancy.
Vermont’s landlord-tenant statute (9 V.S.A. § 4467) lists the statewide notice requirements for different situations.
There is a Summary of Notice Periods for Termination of Tenancy on the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity website.
Some cities and towns may require more notice. Check local laws.