Which disclosures must a Vermont lease include?
Vermont landlord-tenant law is governed by 9 V.S.A. Chapter 137. Beyond the universal federal lead rule, the disclosures a Vermont landlord must give at or around lease signing are:
| Disclosure | Authority | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| Lead Essential Maintenance Practices (EMP) | Vermont lead law | Pre-1978 rentals |
| Lead-based paint hazard + EPA pamphlet | Title X (federal) | Housing built before 1978 |
The main Vermont lease disclosures
Lead Essential Maintenance Practices (EMP) (Vermont lead law): for pre-1978 rentals the owner must perform annual Essential Maintenance Practices and file a signed EMP Compliance Statement each year with the Vermont Department of Health and the property insurer.
Federal lead-based paint disclosure
Federal law overlays Vermont's own rules here. Any pre-1978 rental triggers Title X (42 U.S.C. § 4852d): the landlord must supply a signed lead-warning statement, disclose known lead hazards, share available inspection records, and give the tenant the EPA booklet Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home. Skipping it exposes the landlord to civil and, in serious cases, criminal liability.
What happens if a Vermont landlord skips a required disclosure?
Consequences depend on the disclosure:
- A missed 14-day deposit return forfeits the right to withhold; a willful violation costs double the wrongfully withheld amount plus attorney's fees (§ 4461).
- EMP noncompliance exposes the landlord to penalties under Vermont's lead law.
- A federal lead-paint violation carries civil and, in egregious cases, criminal penalties plus liability for tenant damages.
For the full set of Vermont lease rules — deposits, late fees, and notice periods — see What Must a Vermont Lease Agreement Include. Managing rentals in more than one state? Compare Vermont's list with our Maine and New Hampshire disclosure checklists, and see the baseline in What Every Residential Lease Agreement Must Include.
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Create your Vermont lease agreement →Frequently asked questions
What disclosures are required in a Vermont lease?
A Vermont lease must include lead essential maintenance practices (emp) (Vermont lead law), plus the federal lead-based paint disclosure for pre-1978 housing.
Does Vermont require a lead essential maintenance practices (emp) disclosure?
Yes. for pre-1978 rentals the owner must perform annual Essential Maintenance Practices and file a signed EMP Compliance Statement each year with the Vermont Department of Health and the property insurer (Vermont lead law).
Does Vermont require a lead-paint disclosure?
Yes, for pre-1978 housing. This is a federal requirement: the signed lead-warning disclosure, known records, and the EPA pamphlet.
Official sources
Primary statutes and official government references for this guide. Statutes change — always confirm against the current official text before you act.