Windham County, Vermont: Where to File a Security Deposit Claim and What It Costs

Listed court is Vermont Superior Court, Windham Unit, Civil Division in Newfane. Check venue on the court's official page or with the clerk. Filing fee: set by the court; see its fee table. Claims up to $10,000. Vermont return time: 14 calendar days or another period by condition. ACS two-bedroom rent: $1,191. Enter your dates below and send the dated letter first.

Court listed	Vermont Superior Court, Windham Unit, Civil Division
City	Newfane
Address	7 Court Street, Newfane, VT 05345
Phone	802-365-7979 (listed in the state court directory 2026-09-21; not confirmed by the court)
Hours	Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except during observed holidays. Closed the first Friday of each month, 8:00 a.m. to noon, for in service training.
Statewide filing fee	Current court fee schedule
Small claims limit	$10,000 (Superior Court Civil Division small claims only)
State 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. Applies when: ordinary (non-seasonal primary) dwelling unit. 60 calendar days after vacancy for seasonal occupancy. Applies when: seasonal occupancy and rental of a dwelling unit not intended as a primary residence.
Time limit to sue	6 years
Deposit statute	9 V.S.A. § 4461

Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk.

Details

Limits: $10,000 (Superior Court Civil Division small claims only).

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Details of the return rules

Vermont statutory deadlines
When it applies	Deadline	Starts from
My regular home	14 days	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
A seasonal rental that is not my main home	60 days	after vacancy for seasonal occupancy

Vermont return rule: 14 calendar days (ordinary (non-seasonal primary) dwelling unit). Check the dates you entered above.

Court listed for this county: Vermont Superior Court, Windham Unit, Civil Division. Check venue on the official court page or with the clerk.

Free dated DOCX by email. Print-ready state PDF kit: $29. Letter preparation and mailing: $49.

Who do you name in the claim?

Find and compare the legal names

Find and compare the legal names in these records:

The lease: the Landlord or Owner line and who signed.
The deposit receipt or the account your rent went to.
The owner of record in the property records of Windham County.
The Vermont business registry for an LLC or management company: its exact legal name and registered agent. Vermont Secretary of State

A registered agent receives court papers for a company; it is not the defendant.

This page shows where the names are recorded; it does not decide who is legally liable.

What to bring to the clerk

Your lease.
Deposit receipt or payment record.
The demand letter and proof of delivery.
Move-out photos and an inventory or condition report.

Check the Vermont filing procedure before you go.

Court forms

Service methods: constable or sheriff; private process server.

Procedure source (high confidence): 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

Is it worth filing here?

Illustration: a deposit equal to one month's ACS median gross rent (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) for a home in Windham County. This is calculated from rent, not measured deposits. The statutory amount requires the rule's conditions.

Bedrooms

Bedrooms	Deposit owed	Statutory amount	Total illustration	Limit check
1	$925	$925	$1,850	Fits under the $10,000 limit for this illustrated claim
2	$1,191	$1,191	$2,382	Fits under the $10,000 limit for this illustrated claim
3	$1,184	$1,184	$2,368	Fits under the $10,000 limit for this illustrated claim
4	$1,596	$1,596	$3,192	Fits under the $10,000 limit for this illustrated claim

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, tables B25064, B25031, B25003, B25070; accessed 2026-09-21. Penalty rule.

How does Windham County compare with other Vermont counties?

The two-bedroom median gross rent is $1,191: rank 8 of 18 counties with this metric in U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. 27.2% of households rent in Windham County.

Windham County two-bedroom rent $1,191, rank 8 of 18 counties

Nearby counties in the two-bedroom rent ranking
County	Median gross rent
Washington County	$1,232
Franklin County	$1,217
Windham County	$1,191
Lamoille County	$1,140
Orange County	$1,128
Windsor	$1,125

Ranking uses the same ACS metric and period within this state; ties share a rank. Coverage is 18 of 18 listed counties. Census source.

Places in Windham County

Bellows Falls
Jacksonville
Newfane
Saxtons River
Westminster

These are Census places in the county. Check the rental's address with the clerk to find the court.

U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census place-to-county relationship file

Free legal help

Vermont Legal Aid: Free civil legal help for eligible Vermonters, including evictions and landlord problems, through joint intake with Legal Services Vermont. At access, funding cuts mean no callbacks or phone advice for security-deposit disputes or private-market rent increases.
Legal Services Vermont: Free civil legal help and screening of requests for Vermont residents or Vermont legal issues; shared intake with Vermont Legal Aid handles eligible housing matters. At access, security-deposit disputes and private-market rent increases are excluded from callbacks and phone advice.

FAQ

How much does it cost to file in Windham County?

The court sets the fee. Check the current schedule. Court page

Where do I file a deposit claim in Windham County?

Vermont Superior Court, Windham Unit, Civil Division is listed. Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk. Court page

Who should I name in the claim?

Compare the legal names on the lease, deposit receipt, property records and business registry. A registered agent receives papers for a company; it is not the defendant.

What should I bring to the clerk?

Bring your lease, deposit receipt, demand letter, proof of delivery, photos and any move-out inventory.