CVR 13-140-031 § 12
General Responsibilities
Operative Text
12.1 Owners: 12.1.1 No owner shall let to another for occupancy any dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house, rooming unit or mobile home lot which does not comply with the requirements of this code. It shall be the responsibility of the owner to maintain all premises in compliance with this code. 12.1.2 No owner shall cause any water, sewer, equipment, or utility which is required by this regulation to be removed, shut off or discontinued for any occupied dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house, rooming unit, or mobile home lot except for such temporary interruption as may be necessary while actual repairs or alterations are in process or during temporary emergencies. 12.1.3 No rental agreement containing any provision purporting to transfer responsibilities between owner and occupant other than as imposed herein, shall be effective for the purposes of this code. 12.2 Occupants: 12.2.1 No occupant shall use or occupy his or her dwelling unit, rooming unit or rented mobile home lot in such a way as to cause non-compliance with this code. 12.2.2 Every occupant shall exercise reasonable care in the use of his or her dwelling unit, rooming unit or rented mobile home lot and shall maintain it in such a manner that it does not create a health hazard for his or her neighbors. 12.3 Existing structures and premises that do not comply with the provisions of this code shall be altered or repaired to achieve compliance in accordance with this code and the currently adopted Vermont Fire & Building Safety Code.
CVR 13-140-031 § 12 establishes a dual framework of responsibilities for both property owners and occupants of rental housing in Vermont. Owners are prohibited from renting out dwellings that fail to meet code standards and cannot cut off required utilities or services except during genuine repairs or emergencies. Occupants, in turn, are required to use their units responsibly and avoid creating conditions that violate the code or endanger neighboring residents. Any lease clause that attempts to shift these legally assigned responsibilities between owner and occupant is unenforceable under this code.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under CVR 13-140-031 § 12, compliant property owners ensure that every dwelling unit, rooming unit, or mobile home lot meets code requirements before it is rented and throughout the tenancy. Operators maintain continuous access to required water, sewer, and utility services, limiting interruptions only to the duration of active repairs or genuine emergencies. Lease agreements that attempt to transfer the owner's code-compliance obligations to tenants are treated as void for purposes of this regulation, so compliant operators do not rely on such clauses as a substitute for direct maintenance obligations.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
CVR 13-140-031 § 12 gives occupants a clear baseline of protection: an owner cannot legally rent a unit that fails to meet Vermont's housing code standards, and cannot shut off required utilities except during actual repairs or emergencies. If an owner removes services or rents a non-compliant unit, tenants may raise a violation of § 12 as a defense in relevant proceedings or file a complaint with the appropriate Vermont housing or code-enforcement authority. Tenants also carry responsibilities under this section—using the unit with reasonable care and avoiding conditions that create health hazards for neighbors—so consulting a tenant-rights organization can help clarify how both sets of obligations apply in a given situation.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 26, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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