CVR 13-140-031 § 8
Natural and Mechanical Ventilation
Operative Text
8.1 To ensure the health and safety of the occupants, the owner of residential rental dwelling units and rooming houses shall provide ventilation to the outdoors as follows, so as to not endanger the health and safety of the occupants: 8.1.1 Every habitable room shall include at least one window or door in good repair located on an outside wall that is capable of being opened to admit fresh air. 8.1.2 Screens shall be provided for all operable windows and for doors that are providing ventilation when a window is not available. All screens shall be maintained in good repair and be free from tears, holes, or other imperfections of either screen or frame that would admit insects such as flies or mosquitoes. 8.1.3 All hallways and stairways in common spaces shall be adequately ventilated. 8.1.4 Every bath, toilet or shower room shall be ventilated by direct access with the external air either by window, airshaft, or ventilation fan. If a ventilation fan is used, it shall be vented directly to the exterior of the building and be of sufficient size to prevent the buildup of moisture. 8.1.5 All clothing dryers shall be vented directly to the exterior of the building. 8.2 Use of vaporizers/humidifiers: Vaporizers/humidifiers shall not be used by dwelling or rooming house occupants or owners in such ways that cause an elevated relative humidity (Above 60%), promoting the growth of microorganisms and visible mold.
CVR 13-140-031 § 8 establishes ventilation standards for residential rental properties and rooming houses in Vermont. Every habitable room must have at least one openable window or exterior door, bathrooms must connect to outside air through a window, airshaft, or properly sized exhaust fan, and all dryers must vent directly to the building's exterior. Common areas like hallways and stairways must also be adequately ventilated, and window screens must be kept in good repair. Additionally, neither owners nor occupants may use vaporizers or humidifiers in ways that push indoor relative humidity above 60%, as that level can promote mold and microbial growth.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under CVR 13-140-031 § 8, compliant rental property operators routinely inspect all habitable rooms to confirm that at least one window or exterior door is operable and in good repair, and verify that window screens are intact and free of tears or holes that could admit insects. Owners also ensure that every bathroom has a functioning connection to outside air—whether through a window, airshaft, or an exhaust fan vented directly to the exterior—and that all dryers are ducted to the outside rather than into interior spaces. Maintaining records of inspections and repairs to ventilation equipment, screens, and exhaust fans supports ongoing compliance with this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
CVR 13-140-031 § 8 gives tenants in Vermont rental housing the right to habitable rooms with working openable windows or exterior doors, intact insect screens, properly ventilated bathrooms, and dryers that vent outside. If a rental unit lacks these features or if screens, exhaust fans, or other ventilation components are in disrepair, tenants may have grounds to raise a violation under this provision when communicating with their landlord or when pursuing remedies through Vermont's housing inspection or code enforcement processes. Tenant-rights organizations in Vermont can help residents understand the range of options available, including how this section may interact with habitability standards under state law.
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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