For Vermont tenants navigating rent increases in 2025, several key laws and protections are in place. Here’s what you should know:
Notice Requirements
Statewide: Landlords must provide at least 60 days’ written notice before a rent increase takes effect. This notice must be mailed or hand-delivered; verbal or email notice is not sufficient.
Burlington: Due to local ordinance, landlords must provide at least 90 days’ written notice before a rent increase.
Lease Terms: If you have a fixed-term lease, your rent cannot be increased until the lease ends, unless the lease specifically allows for increases during the term.
Rent Control and Increase Limits
No Statewide Rent Control: Vermont does not have a statewide rent control law or cap on how much landlords can raise rent. Landlords can technically increase rent by any amount, provided they give proper notice.
Burlington Exception: Burlington has a unique rent control ordinance. Here, annual rent increases are capped at a percentage based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), and landlords cannot raise rent more than once per year.
Reasonableness Standard: While there is no strict cap, rent increases must be reasonable and justified by market rates and landlord expenses. Excessive increases may be challenged by tenants.
Frequency of Rent Increases
No Legal Limit on Frequency: Outside Burlington, landlords can raise rent as often as they wish, as long as they provide at least 60 days’ notice before each increase.
Burlington: Only one rent increase is allowed per year, tied to the CPI.
Tenant Protections
Lease Stability: During a lease term, rent cannot be increased unless the lease specifically allows it.
Challenge Unreasonable Increases: Tenants can challenge rent increases they believe are excessive or unjustified. Factors like market rates, unit condition, and landlord costs may be considered.
Improper Notice: If a landlord does not provide the required notice, the rent increase is unenforceable.
Additional Considerations
Efforts for Change: There have been legislative proposals, such as House Bill 135, to cap annual rent increases at 6% or the inflation rate, but as of 2025, no such statewide cap is in effect.
Local Initiatives: Some municipalities have sought to implement “just cause” eviction protections and additional rent increase limits, but these require legislative approval and have not yet been enacted statewide.
Table
| Area | Notice Required | Rent Increase Cap | Frequency Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 60 days | None | None |
| Burlington | 90 days | CPI-based | Once per year |
Sources:
1. https://vtlawhelp.org/rent-increases
2. https://www.steadily.com/blog/rent-increase-laws-regulations-vermont
3. https://american-apartment-owners-association.org/landlord-tenant-laws/vermont/
