Free Vermont Security Deposit
Return Letter Template

Vermont Security Deposit Return Letter

When a tenancy ends, a Vermont landlord has a set time to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions. Here’s what Vermont’s statute says.

Vermont rules at a glance

Security deposits in Vermont

Vermont doesn’t cap the amount of a security deposit — defined as any refundable advance, deposit, or prepaid rent, however named (§4461(a)). What it does impose is one of the shortest refund deadlines in the country, with a harsh penalty for missing it.

• Allowed deductions — Unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, unpaid utility charges, and the cost of removing items the tenant abandoned (§4461(b)).
• 14-day refund — The deposit and a written statement itemizing deductions are due within 14 days from when the landlord discovers the tenant vacated or abandoned the unit — or from the move-out date, if the tenant gave notice of it. The clock doesn’t run from the lease end date (§4461(c)).
• Seasonal rentals — For a seasonal rental that isn’t the tenant’s primary residence, the deadline is 60 days (§4461(c)).
• Delivery — The statement and any refund must be hand-delivered or mailed to the tenant’s last known address (§4461(d)).
• Forfeiture & double damages — Miss the deadline and the landlord forfeits the right to withhold any of the deposit; a willful failure makes the landlord liable for double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney’s fees and costs (§4461(e)).
• Local rules — Deposits pass to a new owner on sale, who must notify the tenant (§4461(f)), and towns may adopt their own deposit ordinances (§4461(g)).

Required disclosures in Vermont

Beyond these, Vermont’s rental chapter doesn’t require a long list of state-specific lease riders.

• Lead-safe maintenance (pre-1978) — Unless exempt, owners of pre-1978 rental housing must follow the state’s lead-safe maintenance requirements and file a compliance statement with the Department of Health. Before entering into a lease, they must give the tenant Department-approved lead-hazard information and a copy of the most recent compliance statement (18 V.S.A. §1759).
• Lead-based paint (federal) — Federal warning, pamphlet, and known-hazard disclosure for housing built before 1978 (42 U.S.C. §4852d).
• Deposit statement — An itemized statement of any deposit deductions at move-out (§4461(c)).

Vermont Security Deposit Return Letter FAQs

More Vermont landlord documents

• Vermont Residential Lease Agreement
• Vermont Eviction Notice
• Vermont Rent Increase Notice
• Vermont Notice to Vacate
• Vermont Application Approval Letter
• Vermont Application Denial Letter
• Vermont Background & Credit Check Authorization
• Vermont Rental Application
• Vermont Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
• Vermont Bed Bug Addendum
• Vermont Mold & Mildew Addendum
• Vermont No-Smoking Addendum
• Vermont Parking & Storage Addendum
• Vermont HOA & Community Rules Addendum
• Vermont Crime-Free Housing Addendum
• Vermont Utilities & Services Addendum
• Vermont Early Termination Addendum
• Vermont Lease Extension Addendum
• Vermont Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
• Vermont Military Clause (SCRA)
• Vermont Pet Addendum
• Vermont Cash for Keys Agreement
• Vermont Mutual Lease Termination Agreement
• Vermont Lease Renewal Agreement
• Vermont Notice of Non-Renewal
• Vermont Late Rent Notice
• Vermont Lease Violation Notice
• Vermont Notice of Entry
• Vermont Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
• Vermont Rent Receipt
• Vermont Rent Verification Letter
• Vermont Tenant Welcome Letter
• Vermont Property Management Agreement
• Vermont Commercial Lease
• Vermont Rent-to-Own Agreement
• Vermont Short-Term Rental Agreement
• Vermont Room Rental Agreement
• Vermont Roommate Agreement
• Vermont Spanish Lease Agreement
• Vermont Sublease Agreement
• Vermont Lease Amendment

Security Deposit Return Letter in other states

• Alabama Security Deposit Return Letter
• Alaska Security Deposit Return Letter
• Arizona Security Deposit Return Letter
• Arkansas Security Deposit Return Letter
• California Security Deposit Return Letter
• Colorado Security Deposit Return Letter
• Connecticut Security Deposit Return Letter
• Delaware Security Deposit Return Letter
• District of Columbia Security Deposit Return Letter
• Florida Security Deposit Return Letter
• Georgia Security Deposit Return Letter
• Hawaii Security Deposit Return Letter
• Idaho Security Deposit Return Letter
• Illinois Security Deposit Return Letter
• Indiana Security Deposit Return Letter
• Iowa Security Deposit Return Letter
• Kansas Security Deposit Return Letter
• Kentucky Security Deposit Return Letter
• Louisiana Security Deposit Return Letter
• Maine Security Deposit Return Letter
• Maryland Security Deposit Return Letter
• Massachusetts Security Deposit Return Letter
• Michigan Security Deposit Return Letter
• Minnesota Security Deposit Return Letter
• Mississippi Security Deposit Return Letter
• Missouri Security Deposit Return Letter
• Montana Security Deposit Return Letter
• Nebraska Security Deposit Return Letter
• Nevada Security Deposit Return Letter
• New Hampshire Security Deposit Return Letter
• New Jersey Security Deposit Return Letter
• New Mexico Security Deposit Return Letter
• New York Security Deposit Return Letter
• North Carolina Security Deposit Return Letter
• North Dakota Security Deposit Return Letter
• Ohio Security Deposit Return Letter
• Oklahoma Security Deposit Return Letter
• Oregon Security Deposit Return Letter
• Pennsylvania Security Deposit Return Letter
• Rhode Island Security Deposit Return Letter
• South Carolina Security Deposit Return Letter
• South Dakota Security Deposit Return Letter
• Tennessee Security Deposit Return Letter
• Texas Security Deposit Return Letter
• Utah Security Deposit Return Letter
• Virginia Security Deposit Return Letter
• Washington Security Deposit Return Letter
• West Virginia Security Deposit Return Letter
• Wisconsin Security Deposit Return Letter
• Wyoming Security Deposit Return Letter