Bill > H0509

This bill approves a charter amendment for the City of Winooski, which was approved by voters on March 4, 2025, authorizing the City Council to adopt an ordinance governing residential tenant evictions. The proposed ordinance would establish specific "just cause" requirements for eviction, including material breaches of rental agreements, violations of tenant statutes, nonpayment of rent, and failure to accept reasonable lease renewal terms. The ordinance must exclude rental agreement expiration as the sole grounds for eviction and would provide exemptions for certain property types like owner-occupied duplexes and triplexes, properties being withdrawn from the rental market, and properties needing substantial renovations. Additionally, the ordinance must include provisions to mitigate potential negative impacts on tenants, such as requiring adequate notice, reasonable relocation expenses, a probationary period after initial occupancy, and limitations on rent increases that could result in de facto evictions. The bill also mandates that landlords include just cause and legal requirement notices in rental agreements, with clear definitions of what constitutes "reasonable" and "adequate" notice. The amendment aims to provide more protection for residential tenants in Winooski while maintaining a balanced approach that considers the interests of both tenants and property owners.

Government Affairs

https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.509