Vermont Security Deposit Law
Vermont rules on security deposits for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: No statutory cap. 9 V.S.A. 4461
The rules in Vermont
| Security deposit limit | No statutory cap. Section 4461 regulates return of deposits but sets no maximum amount. Source: 9 V.S.A. 4461 |
|---|---|
| Deposit return deadline | Within 14 days from the date the landlord learns the tenant vacated (or from the move-out date if the tenant gave notice of it); 60 days for seasonal rentals not intended as a primary residence. Statement and refund must be hand-delivered or mailed to the tenant's last known address. Source: 9 V.S.A. 4461(c) |
| Itemized deductions | Required: written itemized statement of the reasons for any amount withheld, sent with any balance within 14 days. Source: 9 V.S.A. 4461(c) |
| Interest on deposits | Not required by state law; a municipality may require interest by ordinance. Source: 9 V.S.A. 4461(g) |
| Penalty for withholding | A landlord who fails to return the deposit and statement within 14 days forfeits the right to withhold any portion; if the failure is willful, the landlord is liable for double the amount wrongfully withheld plus reasonable attorney's fees and costs. Source: 9 V.S.A. 4461(e) |
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- Security Deposit Deadline Calculator — See when your landlord must return your deposit, and the penalty your state sets if they don't.
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Related questions
- How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit?
- How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit?
- What can a landlord charge for at move-out (cleaning, painting, carpet)?
Vermont vs. neighboring states
| State | Security deposit limit | Deposit return deadline | Itemized deductions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | No statutory cap. 9 V.S.A. 4461 | Within 14 days from the date the landlord learns the tenant vacated (or from the move-out date if the tenant gave notice of it); 60 days for seasonal rentals not intended as a primary residence. 9 V.S.A. 4461(c) | Required: written itemized statement of the reasons for any amount withheld, sent with any balance within 14 days. 9 V.S.A. 4461(c) |
| Massachusetts | Security deposit may not exceed one month's rent. At or before the start of a tenancy a landlord (or the landlord's agent) may require only: first full month's rent, last full month's rent (at the same rate as the first), a security deposit of up to one month's rent, and the purchase and installation cost of a new lock and key. No other upfront charges (e.g., application, pet, or landlord-side broker fees) are allowed. G.L. c. 186, § 15B(1)(b) | 30 days after the tenancy ends (end of a tenancy at will or end of the lease term). The landlord must return the deposit, or whatever balance remains, with any accrued interest. G.L. c. 186, § 15B(4) | To keep any part of the deposit for damage, the landlord must give the tenant, within 30 days after the tenancy ends, an itemized list of the damage. The list must be signed under the pains and penalties of perjury, describe the damage and repairs in precise detail, and include written evidence such as estimates, bills, invoices, or receipts. G.L. c. 186, § 15B(4)(iii) |
| New Hampshire | One month's rent or $100, whichever is greater. RSA 540-A:6, I(a) | Within 30 days after the tenancy ends. RSA 540-A:7, I | Yes. Written, itemized list of damages beyond reasonable wear and tear, describing each repair with satisfactory evidence it was or will be done (receipts, estimates, invoices); unpaid rent or other charges must be itemized with the period covered. RSA 540-A:7 |
| New York | One month's rent N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108(1-a)(a) | 14 days after the tenant vacates N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108(1-a)(e) | Itemized statement showing the basis for any amount retained, within 14 days of move-out. Deductions limited to reasonable, itemized costs for unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, unpaid utilities, and moving/storage of tenant belongings. Tenant may request a pre-move-out inspection, after which the landlord must give an itemized list of proposed repairs/cleaning. N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108(1-a)(b), (d), (e) |
City rules that may add to state law
More Vermont rental law
- Vermont Eviction Laws
- Vermont Notice to Vacate Rules
- Landlord Entry Rules in Vermont
- Vermont Repairs & Tenant Remedies
- Vermont Rent Increase & Late Fee Laws
- Breaking a Lease in Vermont
- Squatters' Rights in Vermont
- Vermont Rental Fee Rules
- Vermont Section 8, Records & Right to Counsel
- Vermont Mold, Pests, Heat & AC Rules
- Vermont Privacy, Guests & Animal Rules
- Vermont Landlord Selling the House
- Vermont Lockouts, Utility Shutoffs & Retaliation
- Vermont Subletting, Lease Endings & Tenant Death
- All Vermont landlord-tenant rules
- Free legal help in Vermont
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Vermont Security Deposit Law FAQ
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Vermont?
No statutory cap. (9 V.S.A. 4461)
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Vermont?
Within 14 days from the date the landlord learns the tenant vacated (or from the move-out date if the tenant gave notice of it); 60 days for seasonal rentals not intended as a primary residence. (9 V.S.A. 4461(c))
Does a landlord in Vermont have to give an itemized list of deposit deductions?
Required: written itemized statement of the reasons for any amount withheld, sent with any balance within 14 days. (9 V.S.A. 4461(c))
Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Vermont?
Not required by state law; a municipality may require interest by ordinance. (9 V.S.A. 4461(g))
What happens if a landlord in Vermont wrongfully keeps a security deposit?
A landlord who fails to return the deposit and statement within 14 days forfeits the right to withhold any portion; if the failure is willful, the landlord is liable for double the amount wrongfully withheld plus reasonable attorney's fees and costs. (9 V.S.A. 4461(e))
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.