Vermont’s rent increase laws in 2025 remain largely unchanged at the state level, offering tenants certain procedural protections but no statewide cap on the amount or frequency of rent increases. For most renters in Vermont, landlords can raise rent by any amount and as often as they choose, provided they follow specific notice requirements and do not violate anti-discrimination or retaliation statutes.
Notice Requirements:
Statewide, landlords must provide tenants with at least 60 days’ written notice before any rent increase takes effect. This applies to both fixed-term leases (such as one-year leases) and month-to-month rental agreements. For tenants at will (those without a fixed lease), the law also requires a 60-day notice, though some sources mention 90 days in certain circumstances. The notice must be in writing and clearly state the new rent amount and the date the increase will begin. Verbal notice is not valid, and notices delivered by email may not satisfy legal requirements unless specifically allowed by the lease.
Lease Terms:
If you have a current lease, your landlord cannot raise the rent during the lease term unless the lease specifically allows for it. Once the lease expires, the landlord can increase the rent with proper notice. This means tenants are protected from rent hikes during the lease period, and any attempt to circumvent this by including a waiver of notice rights in the lease is void under Vermont law.
No Statewide Cap or Frequency Limit:
Vermont law does not limit how much a landlord can increase rent or how often increases can occur, as long as each increase is accompanied by the required notice. This means landlords could theoretically raise rent multiple times per year, but each increase must be preceded by a new 60-day written notice. However, rent increases must be “reasonable and justified”—exorbitant or retaliatory increases can be challenged by tenants, especially if they far exceed market rates or appear to be in response to tenant complaints or exercising legal rights.
Burlington’s Special Rules:
The city of Burlington is an exception. Burlington has a rent control ordinance that ties allowable rent increases to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), capping annual increases to a set percentage based on inflation. Burlington also requires a 90-day written notice for rent increases, and landlords there cannot raise rent more than once per year1. These local rules provide stronger protections for tenants than the rest of the state.
Tenant Protections:
Tenants can challenge rent increases they believe are excessive, retaliatory, or discriminatory. If a landlord fails to provide proper notice, the rent increase is unenforceable. Tenants may seek mediation or legal assistance if they believe an increase is unfair or violates their rights.
Future Legislation:
There is ongoing debate about establishing statewide rent caps. For example, House Bill 135 was introduced to limit annual increases to 6% or the average inflation rate, but as of July 2025, no such law is in effect.
Summary:
No statewide cap on rent increases or frequency, except in Burlington.
60 days’ written notice required statewide; 90 days in Burlington.
Increases must be reasonable and not retaliatory or discriminatory.
Lease terms protect tenants from increases during the lease period.
Burlington limits annual increases and ties them to inflation.
Tenants in Vermont should review their lease agreements, stay informed about local ordinances, and know their rights regarding notice and fairness in rent increases. If you receive a notice of a rent hike, verify that it complies with the law and consider seeking advice if you believe it is excessive or improperly delivered.
Sources
[1] https://www.hemlane.com/resources/vermont-rent-control-laws/
[2] https://www.steadily.com/blog/rent-increase-laws-regulations-vermont
[3] https://mywaynecountynow.com/vermont-rent-increase-laws-2025-what-tenants-should-know/
[4] https://www.steadily.com/blog/how-much-can-a-landlord-raise-rent-in-vermont
[5] https://www.reddit.com/r/vermont/comments/1lpcs35/question_about_rent_increase_laws_in_vt/
