Legal Services Vermont hosts clinics in Addison, Chittenden, Franklin, Rutland, and Washington counties to help tenants on the day of their rent escrow hearing. Clinics are held in person, by phone, or by WebEx, depending on court operations. See the Help from Attorneys section of the Finding Legal Help web page for the clinic schedule.
The Agency of Commerce and Community Development provides Landlord Tenant Education Materials on their website.
Forms
Asking to Waive Fees
See the Application to Waive Filing Fees and Service Costs web page for information and forms.
General Civil Forms
The plaintiff must have these documents served on the defendant by a sheriff:
Complaint, including any attachments filed, including:
A copy of the lease, if it is written.
A copy of the written termination notice given to the tenant.
Summons signed by the court clerk or plaintiff’s attorney.
Declaration of Compliance with CARES Act (form 100-00031).
Blank Answer form.
Blank Notice of Appearance for Self-Represented Litigant (form 100-00265).
Most of these forms are for civil cases generally, not eviction cases specifically. See the Starting a court case section above for information about what an eviction complaint should include.
Complaint(100-00050)
Instructions for Filing Complaints(100-00055)
Summons with Notice of Appearance(100-00268)
Notice of Appearance for Self-Represented Litigant(100-00265)
Declaration of Compliance with CARES Act(100-00031)
Answer and Counterclaim
The Vermont Law Help website has an eviction answer form and eviction counterclaim form.
Or, use these forms which are for civil cases generally, not evictions cases specifically:
Instructions for Answers and Counterclaims(100-00056)
Answer(100-00051)