Vermont Security Deposit Deductions
In Vermont, deposit deductions are limited to the uses in the supplied statute. The landlord must give an itemized statement within 14 days. The record does not include a statutory definition of wear and tear. Ordinary wear is not a lawful charge. The table lists each supplied item rule and citation.
Wear and tear in this record
The supplied Vermont record does not include a statutory definition of wear and tear. Normal wear and tear is the expected aging of a rental from ordinary living, such as faded paint or carpet worn from walking. Damage is harm beyond that ordinary use, such as a large stain, a burn, or a hole. A landlord can usually charge for tenant-caused damage. A landlord cannot charge for ordinary wear.
Item rules
| Item | Allowed | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning | No | Section 4461(b) is a closed list of four retainable purposes. Cleaning is not among them. A landlord may retain the deposit only for unpaid rent; damage to property of the landlord unless the damage is normal wear and tear or beyond the tenant’s control; unpaid utility or other charges the tenant was required to pay; and expenses to remove articles abandoned by the tenant. (9 V.S.A. § 4461(b)) |
| Carpet replacement | Not stated | No item-specific rule; the general standard applies. No rule specific to this item. A deduction is lawful only for damage beyond normal wear and tear, or for amounts the deposit statute allows (9 V.S.A. § 4461). (9 V.S.A. § 4461) |
| Painting | Not stated | No item-specific rule; the general standard applies. No rule specific to this item. A deduction is lawful only for damage beyond normal wear and tear, or for amounts the deposit statute allows (9 V.S.A. § 4461). (9 V.S.A. § 4461) |
| Nail holes and wall damage | Not stated | No item-specific rule; the general standard applies. No rule specific to this item. A deduction is lawful only for damage beyond normal wear and tear, or for amounts the deposit statute allows (9 V.S.A. § 4461). (9 V.S.A. § 4461) |
| Pet damage | Not stated | No item-specific rule; the general standard applies. No rule specific to this item. A deduction is lawful only for damage beyond normal wear and tear, or for amounts the deposit statute allows (9 V.S.A. § 4461). (9 V.S.A. § 4461) |
| Unpaid rent and fees | Yes | The landlord may retain all or a portion of the security deposit for nonpayment of rent, and for nonpayment of utility or other charges that the tenant was required to pay directly to the landlord or to a utility. (9 V.S.A. § 4461(b)(1), (3)) |
Itemization duty
| Itemization required | Yes |
|---|---|
| Deadline | 14 days |
| Receipts required | No |
| Rule | The landlord shall return the security deposit along with a written statement itemizing any deductions within 14 days from the date the landlord discovers the tenant vacated or abandoned the unit, or the date the tenant vacated if the landlord received notice of that date. Seasonal occupancy of a unit not intended as a primary residence: 60 days. Receipts are not required. Missing the 14-day deadline forfeits the right to withhold any portion; willful failure yields double the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney’s fees and costs. |
| Citation | 9 V.S.A. § 4461(c), (e) |
Burden of proof
No standalone burden-of-proof sentence. Missing the 14-day itemized return forfeits the right to withhold any portion (9 V.S.A. § 4461(e)).
Statute says
The landlord may retain all or a portion of the security deposit for: (1) nonpayment of rent; (2) damage to property of the landlord, unless the damage is the result of normal wear and tear or the result of actions or
What this means
Source accessed: .
If it was deducted anyway
Use the Vermont demand letter page to ask for the itemized statement and the return of any amount that bills ordinary wear. Cite only a rule listed on this page.
Free Vermont template, built from verified state data
I rented [rental property address] from [lease start date] to [move-out date]. I paid a security deposit of $[amount]. I returned the keys on [date] and gave you my forwarding address in writing on [date]. Under Vermont law (9 V.S.A. § 4461), a landlord must return the deposit or respond in writing within [14 calendar days / 60 calendar days, see the note above] after [the event listed in the note above].
FAQ
What security deposit deductions are allowed in Vermont?
Only the uses in the supplied Vermont record. The table on this page lists each item with its rule and citation. A general wear-and-tear row is not an item-specific statute.
Does a Vermont landlord have to itemize deductions?
Yes. The landlord shall return the security deposit along with a written statement itemizing any deductions within 14 days from the date the landlord discovers the tenant vacated or abandoned the unit, or the date the tenant vacated if the landlord received notice of that date. Seasonal occupancy of a unit not intended as a primary residence: 60 days. Receipts are not required. Missing the 14-day deadline forfeits the right to withhold any portion; willful failure yields double the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney’s fees and costs.
Who has the burden of proof for a Vermont deduction?
No standalone burden-of-proof sentence. Missing the 14-day itemized return forfeits the right to withhold any portion (9 V.S.A. § 4461(e)).