Vermont Law: Plain-English Guides

Key Vermont facts

Security deposit 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); 9 V.S.A. 4461(c)

Eviction notice for unpaid rent

Written notice of termination at least 14 days after actual notice. The tenancy does not terminate if the tenant pays or tenders all rent due through the end of the rental period in which payment is made. 9 V.S.A. 4467(a)

Small claims limit

$10,000 for civil money claims (not slander or libel). A larger claim cannot be split into several small claims. 12 V.S.A. 5531

Small estate affidavit

Vermont does not use an out-of-court collection affidavit. Instead, a small estate (fair market value of $45,000 or less, consisting entirely of personal property, with no real estate other than a time-share) may be… 14 V.S.A. §§ 1901-1903

Cost of a protective order

No filing fee is required for a relief from abuse complaint. 15 V.S.A. § 1103(f)

Minimum wage

$14.42 per hour, effective January 1, 2026. The rate rises every January 1 by the smaller of 5% or the increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), and never goes down. 21 V.S.A. § 384(a)

Final paycheck if fired

Within 72 hours of discharge. 21 V.S.A. § 342(b)(2)

Time limit to sue on a debt

6 years. Vermont's general civil-action limitations period (six years after the claim accrues) applies to contract debts, written or oral. 12 V.S.A. 511