(d) If the court finds the tenant is obligated to pay rent and has failed to do so, the
court shall order full or partial payment into court of rent as it accrues while the
proceeding is pending and rent accrued from the date of filing with the court the
complaint for ejectment or the date the summons and complaint for ejectment were served
on the tenant pursuant to Rule 3 of the Vermont Rules of Civil Procedure, whichever
occurs first.
(e) All funds paid into court shall be made payable to the court clerk by money order,
certified check, cash, or any other means that guarantees the availability of the
funds for distribution after a hearing on the merits. The funds shall be distributed
forthwith in accordance with the final order from the trial court.
(f) The landlord may at any time by motion apply to the court for disbursement of all
or part of the funds paid into court. The motion for disbursement shall be accompanied
by affidavit setting forth particular facts in its support. If the court finds that
the landlord is in actual danger of loss of the premises or other personal hardship
resulting from the loss of rental income, it may award all or any portion of the funds
under deposit to the landlord.
(g) The tenant may at any time by motion apply to the court to reduce the amount ordered
to be paid into court under this section. The motion for reduction shall be accompanied
by affidavit setting forth particular facts in its support.