Security Deposit Law in Vermont (9 V.S.A. § 4461): Deadline and Penalty
In Vermont, a landlord has 14 calendar days (ordinary (non-seasonal primary) dwelling unit) or 60 calendar days (seasonal occupancy and rental of a dwelling unit not intended as a primary residence) to return a security deposit. The deadline is measured from this trigger: 14 calendar days (ordinary (non-seasonal primary) dwelling unit): from the date the landlord discovers the tenant vacated or abandoned, or the date the tenant vacated if the landlord received notice of that date; 60 calendar days (seasonal occupancy and rental of a dwelling unit not intended as a primary residence): after vacancy for seasonal occupancy. The verified penalty formula is failure to return deposit with itemized statement within the applicable deadline: landlord forfeits right to withhold any portion; if the failure is willful, landlord also liable for double the amount wrongfully withheld plus reasonable attorney's fees and costs under 9 V.S.A. § 4461.
Key facts
| Deadline | 14 calendar days (ordinary (non-seasonal primary) dwelling unit); trigger: from the date the landlord discovers the tenant vacated or abandoned, or the date the tenant vacated if the landlord received notice of that date |
|---|---|
| Deadline (branch 2) | 60 calendar days (seasonal occupancy and rental of a dwelling unit not intended as a primary residence); trigger: after vacancy for seasonal occupancy |
| Penalty formula | failure to return deposit with itemized statement within the applicable deadline: landlord forfeits right to withhold any portion; if the failure is willful, landlord also liable for double the amount wrongfully withheld plus reasonable attorney's fees and costs |
| Bad faith required | No |
| Statute citation | 9 V.S.A. § 4461 |
Statute says
A landlord shall return the security deposit along with a written statement itemizing any deductions to a tenant within 14 days from the date on which the landlord discovers that the tenant vacated or abandoned the dwelling unit or the date the tenant vacated the dwelling unit, provided the landlord received notice from the tenant of that date. In the case of the seasonal occupancy and rental of a dwelling unit not intended as a primary residence, the security deposit and written statement shall be returned within 60 days. If a landlord fails to return the security deposit with a statement within 14 days, the landlord forfeits the right to withhold any portion of the security deposit. If the failure is willful, the landlord shall be liable for double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees and costs.
What this means
Read the deadline, trigger, and penalty together. Match the date you can prove to the trigger above, then compare the landlord's response to the rule in 9 V.S.A. § 4461.
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
Does Burlington have its own security deposit law?
Burlington caps the security deposit at one month's rent (plus an optional extra half-month pet deposit), requires passbook-equivalent interest, forbids using the deposit as last month's rent unless the written lease says so, and requires return with an itemized statement within 14 days, with forfeiture and possible double damages. Burlington security deposit rules
What is the small claims limit in Vermont?
See the applicable court limits and jurisdictions in the state court guide. Vermont small claims courts and filing fees
What happens if a landlord misses the Vermont deposit deadline?
The verified penalty formula is failure to return deposit with itemized statement within the applicable deadline: landlord forfeits right to withhold any portion; if the failure is willful, landlord also liable for double the amount wrongfully withheld plus reasonable attorney's fees and costs under 9 V.S.A. § 4461. Keep the move-out date, forwarding address records, and any itemized statement before you act.
Does a demand letter change the legal deadline?
No. The deadline is still 14 calendar days (ordinary (non-seasonal primary) dwelling unit) or 60 calendar days (seasonal occupancy and rental of a dwelling unit not intended as a primary residence). The deadline trigger is 14 calendar days (ordinary (non-seasonal primary) dwelling unit): from the date the landlord discovers the tenant vacated or abandoned, or the date the tenant vacated if the landlord received notice of that date; 60 calendar days (seasonal occupancy and rental of a dwelling unit not intended as a primary residence): after vacancy for seasonal occupancy. A letter documents the timeline and asks the landlord to resolve the deposit before the next step.
If the deadline passed
Send a letter that documents the demand and keeps your record tied to the verified Vermont deadline.
If the landlord stays silent, review landlord ignoring the deadline before choosing the next step.