Steps of the Eviction Process | Average Timeline |
---|---|
Issuing an Official Notice | 7-90 days |
Issuance and Service of Summons and Complaint | 60 days |
Court Hearing and Judgment | A few days to a few weeks |
Tenant Files an Answer | 21 days |
When can a landlord evict a tenant in Vermont?
If tenants participate in illegal activity in the rental unit or on rental property grounds, under Vermont law, the landlord can evict the tenant after giving 14 days’ notice. Violent acts that affect the health/safety of other residents.
How long does it take for a landlord to evict a tenant?
Some states won’t forcibly remove the tenant unless the landlord specifically asks the court to have the tenant removed, while in others, tenants have from 24 hours to several days after the eviction order is delivered to actually move out before law enforcement returns to the unit to physically remove them. This can take 24 hours to several days.
What are the steps of the eviction process in Vermont?
Below are the individual steps of the eviction process in Vermont. Landlords in Vermont can begin the eviction process for several reasons, including: Nonpayment of Rent – Once rent is past due, written notice must be served giving the tenant the option to pay rent in order to avoid eviction.
What happens if a tenant does not pay rent in Vermont?
This notice gives the tenant the option to pay the past due amount in full within 14 days of the due date, in order to avoid eviction. If the tenant does not pay the rent due by the end of the notice period and remains on the property, the landlord may proceed with the eviction process. Generate an official Vermont notice for nonpayment of rent.

How much notice does a landlord have to give a tenant to move out in Vermont?
If there is a written rental agreement requiring payment of those items, failure to pay could be breach of rental agreement and a cause for termination, but the landlord must give 30 days' notice for termination due to breach other than non-payment. [See “Termination for cause,” below.]
Can you evict someone in Vermont right now?
The CARES Act moratorium cannot start an eviction solely for non-payment of rent or other fees or charges. cannot charge any late fees or penalties for late payments of rent, or. cannot give a tenant a 30-day notice to vacate for any reason.
When can you evict a tenant in VT?
Grounds for eviction The tenant has not paid rent. The tenant is in breach of the rental agreement. The property has been sold and there is no written rental agreement. The tenant has subleased without permission, and there is a written lease forbidding subtenants.
Can you kick someone out of your house in Vermont?
Yes, you can kick someone out of your house in Vermont. However, you may be required to follow Vermont's Entry and Detainer process, which is different from the landlord/tenant eviction process.
Can a landlord evict you without a court order?
No, your landlord usually cannot evict you without a court order. As long as you haven't abandoned your home, your landlord cannot change the locks, install a deadbolt, take off doors, or do anything to stop you from entering your home.
How much notice does a landlord need to give to end a tenancy?
Your landlord only needs to give 'reasonable notice' to quit. Usually this means the length of the rental payment period – so if you pay rent monthly, you'll get one month's notice.
Do you have to give 30 days notice without a lease?
Doing an eviction without a lease requires that you give the appropriate notice for your state. While we are using 30 days as the standard since this is the case in many states, some states or localities might default to a different notice period for tenancy-at-will situations.
Can a landlord enter without permission in Vermont?
Your landlord can come in without consent or notice if the landlord has a reasonable belief that there is imminent danger to any person or to the property. 9 V.S.A. § 4460(c). For example, the landlord can come in if there appears to be a fire or a gas leak.
Are there squatters rights in Vermont?
After a certain amount of time residing on a property, a squatter can gain legal ownership of the property through the process of adverse possession. In Vermont, a squatter must possess the property continuously for a period of 15 years before they can make an adverse possession claim (Vt.
Is Vermont a landlord friendly state?
Vermont is not considered a very landlord-friendly state. Even though there is currently no rent control policies, landlords must provide significantly more amenities and have stricter notification procedures for evictions and entry.
How long does a no trespass order last in VT?
A Police Issued No-Trespass Notice will expire no later than thirty days from its date of issuance.
Can landlords raise rent during Covid in Vermont?
Vermont has no legislation limiting the amount that landlords may charge for rent.
Can a landlord evict you immediately in Vermont?
Can a landlord evict you immediately in Vermont? No, a landlord cannot evict you immediately in Vermont, and must give you at least 7 days’ written...
Can you evict a tenant without a lease in Vermont?
Can you evict a tenant without a lease in Vermont? Yes, you can evict a tenant without a lease in Vermont; however, tenants must receive 21, 60, or...
How much does it cost to evict someone in Vermont?
How much does it cost to evict someone in Vermont? It costs $295 to evict someone in Vermont, regardless of where the rental unit is located, or th...
Can you kick someone out of your house in Vermont?
Can you kick someone out of your house in Vermont? Yes, you can kick someone out of your house in Vermont. However, you may be required to follow V...
Can a landlord evict someone for no reason in Vermont?
Can a landlord evict someone for no reason in Vermont? Yes, a landlord can evict tenants without a lease for no reason in Vermont. However, landlor...
Can you kick someone out without an eviction notice in Vermont?
No. A landlord can be sued for forceful evictions. Consequences can include being sued for court costs and attorneys’ fees as well as damages, whic...
Can a tenant be evicted in the winter in Vermont?
Yes, a tenant can be evicted in the winter in Vermont as long as the reason for eviction is valid and the landlord follows the correct eviction pro...
What is a self-help eviction?
Examples of illegal “self-help” evictions include changing the locks, taking the tenant’s belongings, removing the front door, or turning off the h...
What other laws should I be aware of?
A landlord must be aware of an update regarding COVID-19 Eviction Policies. There may be a strong COVID-19 assistance response from the government...
How long does it take to evict a tenant?
The landlord can evict the tenant for a lease violation. The landlord must provide the tenant a 30-Day Notice to Quit, which gives the tenant 30 days to vacate the property.
How long does it take to get evicted from a rental property?
The written notice must indicate that the property is up for sale. Should the tenant remain in the rental property after 30 days, then the landlord may continue to file for an eviction lawsuit.
Why do landlords evict tenants?
The most common reason to begin an eviction process is the failure to make a timely rent payment. A landlord can evict a tenant for failing to pay the rent due.
What is an eviction notice?
An eviction notice is usually a form that is filled out by the landlord that details their violation and whether or not a tenant can fix the issue. Another term for an eviction notice is a written notice of termination.
What happens if you don't pay rent?
In cases of nonpayment of rent, the landlord can file a motion that tells the tenant they must pay overdue rent. A Rent Escrow Hearing is then scheduled so that the court can determine the amount to be paid and how often the tenant will have to pay it.
How long does it take to get evicted for nonpayment of rent?
Before a landlord can start with the eviction action for non-payment of rent, the landlord must provide the tenant a written notice called a 14-Days' Notice to Pay. This written notice of termination informs the renters that they are required to move out of the property or pay the rent due in 14 days in order to avoid eviction.
What does a landlord have to provide in order to win a court case?
A landlord has to provide a strong argument backed up by solid evidence against their tenant in order to win. Should the tenant fail to show up to the hearing, the landlord may win by default.
What are the rights of an eviction?
You have rights. They include the right to raise defenses to the eviction and the right to have the landlord follow the proper legal steps. To keep your rights, you have to make a written response to just about every court paper you get from the landlord or the landlord's lawyer.
How long does it take to get a response from a court?
Everything that requires a written answer or response has a deadline. It can be as short as five days or as long as 30 days. Do not wait to ask for help. The worst thing you can do is ignore court papers.
How to contact landlord about moving out?
If you get a Summons and Complaint for eviction, contact us right away for legal help. Fill out our form and we will call you back or call us at 1-800-889-2047. Updated: Apr 16, 2021. Print.
Can a landlord file a court case against you?
Your landlord cannot file a court case against you until your landlord has given proper written notice that your tenancy is terminated. In order to be evicted, your landlord must have legal grounds to evict you. See our Notice to Terminate Tenancy page for details. Your landlord must follow the proper legal steps.
How long does the Eviction Process Take in Vermont?
If the tenant fails to appear during the court proceedings despite receiving adequate tenant notice, the court may issue a writ of possession in only a few days. However, if the tenant objects to the eviction and wishes to defend his position in court, the court will need more time to render a decision. This process can take weeks or months.
How to Stop The Eviction Process?
In eviction cases caused by non-payment of rent, for instance, the tenant will have to pay rent in order to avoid eviction.
What happens if a tenant fails to respond to a complaint?
Failure to do so will entitle the landlord to request a writ of possession by default.
What happens if a tenant doesn't respond to a notice to quit?
If the tenant fails to respond to the Notice to Quit or to rectify their violations of the lease agreement within a reasonable time, as stated in the notice to quit, the landlord may file an eviction claim in court.
How to initiate eviction?
To initiate the eviction process, the landlord must first issue a notice to the tenant that the landlord is seeking to repossess the rented or leased property. This notice called a “Notice to Quit,” must state the intention to initiate eviction, together with the reasons for eviction. The landlord must request this document from the court, and must also include the exact name and address of the tenant, as well as the exact rental unit number and floor of the tenant’s residence. It must also be signed by the landlord.
Why is it necessary to serve documents to a tenant?
This step is required in order to respect the tenant’s procedural due process rights. Either a sheriff or process server must personally serve these documents to the tenant or their authorized representative.
Can a landlord issue an unconditional notice to quit?
In some cases, however, the landlord may issue an Unconditional Notice to Quit, especially when the violation is so serious that it endangers the economic interests and physical safety of the landlord and/or their property. In this case, the tenant is not given the opportunity to remedy the situation. They must leave the premises.
What happens if a tenant does not move out on their own?
If the tenant does not move out on their own after the ruling, the landlord can deliver the Writ of Possession to the Sheriff’s office, who will serve the Writ on the tenant and forcibly remove them from the property if necessary.
Do landlords and tenants have to appear in court?
Both the landlord and tenant appear in court on the hearing date. It is important to bring copies of all documents that have been filed with the court to the hearing, including the lease agreement and original eviction notice.
What happens if a tenant challenges an eviction?
If the tenant wants to challenge the eviction, you and the tenant will appear in front of a judge. At the trial, the burden of proof is on you to show that the tenant violated the terms of the lease and that you correctly served notice, so be sure to follow these instructions carefully while documenting everything. If the judge rules in your favor, the tenant may be responsible for paying you unpaid rent, attorney’s fees and process fees.
Can you evict someone in Vermont?
In Vermont, you can evict someone for breaking the terms of the rental agreement, breaking the law, or not paying rent. You cannot evict anyone as a form of retaliation or for a reason that could be considered discriminatory.
How long does it take to serve a motion to pay rent?
If you are also serving a Motion to Pay Rent into Court and a notice of that hearing, it must be served at least 14 business days before the hearing. It is your responsibility to keep track of these deadlines and make sure that the sheriff serves the documents in time. If a deadline is coming up and the sheriff has not served the documents, you may ask the court for an extension.
How to send a notice to a tenant?
Hand-deliver it to the tenant. Send it by first class mail to the tenant's last known address. The court will presume that the tenant got the notice three days after you mailed it, but the tenant may prove that they did not receive it. Send it by certified mail.
What happens if you don't leave your rental property?
If the tenant does not leave the rental property by the end date, you can start an eviction case. You cannot file the complaint until after the end date listed in your notice to the tenant.
How to pay rent to court?
If your tenant owes you rent, you can ask the court to order your tenant to make rental payments to the court. You can do this by filing a Motion to Pay Rent Into Court. The court will usually hold that money until the case is done.
What is the name of the tenant?
The name of the tenant (or tenants) The date the tenant began renting. Whether the agreement is written or oral. The rental amount and when payments are due. A description of any other parts of the agreement that are relevant to your claims in this case. The ground or grounds for the eviction.
What is Vermont law help?
Vermont Law Help offers a form for filing counterclaims and more detailed information about what you would need to prove various counterclaims.
What proof do you need to show a tenant received a notice?
Proof that the tenant received the notice, if you have any (such as a return receipt for certified mail signed by the tenant).
How long does it take to get an eviction?
This varies depending on the state, of course, but in general, an eviction can take a couple of weeks to several months. We examine the factors that affect how long an eviction takes.
How to evict a tenant?
Typically, the eviction process follows the steps below, though this can vary depending on the state in which the rental unit is located: 1 Written eviction notice is given to the tenant 2 Eviction case is filed with the court after notice period expires 3 Tenant files a response 4 Hearing is held 5 Order for eviction is issued 6 Tenant is removed from rental unit
How long does it take to remove a tenant from a house?
Some states won’t forcibly remove the tenant unless the landlord specifically asks the court to have the tenant removed, while in others, tenants have from 24 hours to several days after the eviction order is delivered to actually move out before law enforcement returns to the unit to physically remove them.
How long after eviction notice can you have a hearing?
The hearing may not be held for several days to several weeks after the eviction notice is given to the tenant, depending on the state. Read more.
Why is my eviction case dismissed?
It’s a landlord’s worst nightmare—you’ve filed your eviction complaint with the court, paid the filing fee, and sent documents to the tenant, only to learn that your eviction case is going to be dismissed because you missed something along the way.
Where do you file an eviction case?
In most states, once the eviction notice has been given to the tenant, and the compliance deadline on the notice has passed, the landlord may file an eviction case with the appropriate court for the rental unit’s location.
What are some actions that can prolong the eviction process?
Actions that Prolong the Eviction Process – Some things cause the eviction process to take longer, such as requesting a jury trial. Speeding Up the Process – Several states have an expedited/emergency eviction process.

Step 1 – Send Eviction Notice to Tenant
Step 2 – Wait For Tenant Response
Step 3 – File in Court
Step 4 – Serve The Tenant
Step 5 – Appear in Court
Step 6 – Obtain Writ of Possession
- If the court rules in favor of the landlord it will automatically issue a Writ of Possession.22 The Writ establishes a time frame for the tenant to move out from the date of the ruling, usually five (5) days.23 It also gives the Sheriff the authority to forcibly remove the tenant from the property if necessary.24
Step 7 – Repossess The Property
Sources