Vermont Section 8, Records & Right to Counsel
Vermont rules on section 8, records & right to counsel for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: Yes. It is unlawful to refuse to rent, set discriminatory terms, harass, or advertise a preference because a person receives public assistance, defined to include any federal, state, or local government assistance, including housing assistance. 9 V.S.A. § 4503(a); § 4501(6)
The rules in Vermont
| Statewide ban on refusing Section 8 / source of income | Yes. It is unlawful to refuse to rent, set discriminatory terms, harass, or advertise a preference because a person receives public assistance, defined to include any federal, state, or local government assistance, including housing assistance. Definition: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/09/139/04501. The statute does not name Section 8 vouchers specifically; voucher-program requirements were not analyzed. Victims of abuse, sexual assault, or stalking are also a protected class. Source: 9 V.S.A. § 4503(a); § 4501(6) |
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Related questions
- Can a landlord refuse Section 8?
- Can an eviction be removed from your record?
- Do tenants get a free lawyer for an eviction?
Vermont vs. neighboring states
| State | Statewide ban on refusing Section 8 / source of income | Eviction record sealing | Right to a lawyer in eviction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | Yes. It is unlawful to refuse to rent, set discriminatory terms, harass, or advertise a preference because a person receives public assistance, defined to include any federal, state, or local government assistance, including housing assistance. 9 V.S.A. § 4503(a); § 4501(6) | Not verified yet | Not verified yet |
| Massachusetts | Yes. It is unlawful to discriminate against a recipient of public assistance or a tenant receiving housing subsidies, including rental assistance or rental supplements, because of that status or because of any requirement of the assistance or subsidy program. This covers Section 8 and MRVP. G.L. c. 151B, § 4(10) | Yes, by petition on a trial-court form signed under penalty of perjury. No-fault evictions: the court must seal at any time after the case ends and appeals are exhausted. Cases dismissed or won by the tenant: may be sealed at any time, without notice to the other parties. Nonpayment cases: must be sealed if the case ended at least 4 years earlier, there have been no nonpayment or lessor actions against the petitioner in those 4 years, and the petitioner certifies the nonpayment was due to economic hardship. Fault cases: must be sealed after 7 years with no new fault or lessor actions. Consumer reporting agencies may not report sealed records and must remove them within 30 days. Rental applications that ask about evictions must state that an applicant with a sealed record may answer 'no record'. G.L. c. 239, § 16 | No statewide right to counsel in eviction cases found in G.L. c. 239. The trial court must report monthly how many landlords and tenants received legal representation through on-site court diversion programs. G.L. c. 239, § 15(c)(ix) |
| New Hampshire | No. New Hampshire's fair housing law covers age, sex, gender identity, race, religion, color, marital status, familial status, physical or mental disability and national origin (and sexual orientation in advertising), but not source of income or housing vouchers. RSA 354-A:10 | No statute provides for sealing eviction court records. Related protection: no-fault terminations (such as non-renewal of a 12+ month lease, effective July 1, 2026) may not be considered evictions for rental applications or tenant screening reports. RSA ch. 540 and 540-A (no sealing provision); RSA 540:2, VIII | No statewide statutory right to counsel in eviction cases found. RSA ch. 540 (no counsel provision) |
| New York | Yes, statewide. Refusing to rent, or setting different terms, because of a person's 'lawful source of income' is an unlawful discriminatory practice. The definition includes child support, alimony, foster care subsidies, Social Security, any federal, state, or local public assistance or housing assistance, including Section 8 vouchers (whether or not paid directly to the landlord), and any other lawful income. N.Y. Exec. Law § 296(5)(a); § 292 (definition of 'lawful source of income') | Not verified yet | Not verified yet |
City rules that may add to state law
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Compare section 8, records & right to counsel in all 50 states and DC →
Vermont Section 8, Records & Right to Counsel FAQ
Is it illegal for a landlord to refuse Section 8 vouchers in Vermont?
Yes. It is unlawful to refuse to rent, set discriminatory terms, harass, or advertise a preference because a person receives public assistance, defined to include any federal, state, or local government assistance, including housing assistance. (9 V.S.A. § 4503(a); § 4501(6))
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.