Vermont Small Claims Court for a Security Deposit
Limits: $10,000 (Superior Court Civil Division small claims only). Court: Superior Court (Civil Division) small claims. Limitation period listed in our state data: 6 years. Filing fees vary by county; service costs may be extra. See the table. E-filing verified in 0/18 counties. Typical demand-letter response window: 14 days.
County court coverage and fees
18 listed counties · E-filing: Yes 0, No 0, Not verified 18
Deposit return deadlines
- 14 calendar days after 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. ordinary (non-seasonal primary) dwelling unit.
- 60 calendar days after vacancy for seasonal occupancy. seasonal occupancy and rental of a dwelling unit not intended as a primary residence.
From a letter to court
- Send a Vermont security deposit demand letter stating the deposit amount supported by your records.
- Before you file: review the deposit return deadlines above and allow the typical response window of 14 days after your letter.
- Time limit to sue in Vermont: 6 years.
- Check the court's filing instructions. Keep your lease, payment records, photos, letter, and proof of delivery ready.
How to file
Forms: Court forms and filing information
File online: Yes
Statewide filing fee: If the claim is for $1,000 or less, the filing fee is $65.00. If the claim is for more than $1,000, the filing fee is $90.00.
How papers are served:
- constable or sheriff
- private process server
Attorneys allowed: Yes
Appeal window: 30 days
If the claim is for $1,000 or less, the filing fee is $65.00 If the claim is for more than $1,000, the filing fee is $90.00
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].
Key facts
| Small claims limit | $10,000 (Superior Court Civil Division small claims only) |
|---|---|
| Court | Superior Court (Civil Division) small claims |
| Limitation period listed in our state data | 6 years |
| Bad faith required | No |
| Itemization required | Yes |
What you can recover
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.
County small claims courts
| County | Court and city | Limit | Filing fee | E-filing | Court link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chittenden | Chittenden Superior Court, Civil Division, Burlington | $10,000 | Statewide filing fee: Confirm current filing and service fees with the Civil Division clerk. | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Rutland | Rutland Superior Court, Civil Division, Rutland | $10,000 | Statewide filing fee: Confirm current filing and service fees with the Civil Division clerk. | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Washington | Washington Superior Court, Civil Division, Montpelier | $10,000 | Statewide filing fee: Confirm current filing and service fees with the Civil Division clerk. | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Windsor | Windsor Superior Court, Civil Division, Woodstock | $10,000 | Statewide filing fee: Confirm current filing and service fees with the Civil Division clerk. | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Addison County | Vermont Superior Court, Addison Unit, Civil Division, Middlebury | $10,000 (Superior Court Civil Division small claims only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Bennington County | Vermont Superior Court, Bennington Unit, Civil Division, Bennington | $10,000 (Superior Court Civil Division small claims only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Caledonia County | Vermont Superior Court, Caledonia Unit, Civil Division, St. Johnsbury | $10,000 (Superior Court Civil Division small claims only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Chittenden County | Vermont Superior Court, Chittenden Unit, Civil Division, Burlington | $10,000 (Superior Court Civil Division small claims only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Essex County | Vermont Superior Court, Essex Unit, Civil Division, Guildhall | $10,000 (Superior Court Civil Division small claims only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Franklin County | Vermont Superior Court, Franklin Unit, Civil Division, St. Albans | $10,000 (Superior Court Civil Division small claims only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Grand Isle County | Vermont Superior Court, Grand Isle Unit, Civil Division, North Hero | $10,000 (Superior Court Civil Division small claims only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Lamoille County | Vermont Superior Court, Lamoille Unit, Civil Division, Hyde Park | $10,000 (Superior Court Civil Division small claims only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Orange County | Vermont Superior Court, Orange Unit, Civil Division, Chelsea | $10,000 (Superior Court Civil Division small claims only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Orleans County | Vermont Superior Court, Orleans Unit, Civil Division, Newport | $10,000 (Superior Court Civil Division small claims only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Rutland County | Vermont Superior Court, Rutland Unit, Civil Division, Rutland | $10,000 (Superior Court Civil Division small claims only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Washington County | Vermont Superior Court, Washington Unit, Civil Division, Montpelier | $10,000 (Superior Court Civil Division small claims only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Windham County | Vermont Superior Court, Windham Unit, Civil Division, Newfane | $10,000 (Superior Court Civil Division small claims only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Windsor County | Vermont Superior Court, Windsor Unit, Civil Division, Woodstock | $10,000 (Superior Court Civil Division small claims only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
Detailed guides for 18 counties
Statute says
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
Tenant resources
- Vermont Legal Aid - Security Depositslegal aid, 800-889-2047
- CVOEO Vermont Tenants Rights and Resourcestenant union in Burlington, 802-864-0099
- Vermont Attorney General - Consumer Assistance Programag consumer, 800-649-2424
- Vermont Judiciary - Small Claimscourt self help
FAQ
What is the small claims limit in Vermont?
$10,000 (Superior Court Civil Division small claims only)
What is the statute of limitations?
Limitation period listed in our state data: 6 years.
Can I recover more than my deposit?
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.
Which court handles the claim?
Superior Court (Civil Division) small claims
Should I send a demand letter first?
First listed deposit return deadline: 14 calendar days after 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. ordinary (non-seasonal primary) dwelling unit. Typical response window after a demand letter: 14 days.