summary
Introduced
02/26/2025
02/26/2025
In Committee
02/26/2025
02/26/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Session
Bill Summary
This bill proposes to provide protections to tenants by making the charging of a rental application fee an unfair commercial practice, requiring certain rental agreements to be in writing, limiting no-cause evictions and annual rent increases, creating a rental registry, creating the Office of Tenant’s Rights Advocate, providing for the right to counsel in eviction proceedings and the expungement of eviction records, and affording tenants the right to receive notice of a landlord’s intent to sell an apartment building and to negotiate in good faith and purchase the building with a down payment revolving fund administered by the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board. The bill also proposes to add citizenship and immigration status to the existing discrimination prohibitions in public accommodations and unfair housing practices.
AI Summary
This bill provides comprehensive protections and rights for tenants in Vermont, addressing multiple aspects of rental housing. The bill requires written rental agreements with detailed terms for leases 12 months or longer, prohibits charging rental application fees, and limits rent increases to one percent above the Consumer Price Index or five percent, whichever is less. It establishes significant restrictions on no-cause evictions, requiring landlords to provide extended notice periods (up to 90 days) and limiting their ability to terminate tenancies without specific justifications. The legislation creates a State Rental Housing Registry to collect detailed information about rental properties and establishes an Office of Tenant's Rights Advocate to provide education, mediation, and legal services to tenants. The bill also provides tenants with the right to counsel in eviction proceedings and the ability to petition for expungement of eviction records after five years. Additionally, it introduces a new Tenant Right to Purchase Down Payment Assistance Program with $5 million in funding to help tenants and nonprofit organizations purchase rental properties. The bill also expands anti-discrimination protections to include citizenship and immigration status in public accommodations and housing regulations, with an effective date of July 1, 2025.
Committee Categories
Housing and Urban Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs Hearing (00:00:00 4/4/2025 ) (on 04/04/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/S.91 |
| BillText | https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/S-0091/S-0091%20As%20Introduced.pdf |
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