9 V.S.A. § ___ § 4456
Tenant obligations; use and maintenance of dwelling unit
Operative Text
(a) The tenant shall not create or contribute to the noncompliance of the dwelling unit with applicable provisions of building, housing, and health regulations. (b) The tenant shall conduct himself or herself and require other persons on the premises with the tenant’s consent to conduct themselves in a manner that will not disturb other tenants’ peaceful enjoyment of the premises. (c) The tenant shall not deliberately or negligently destroy, deface, damage, or remove any part of the premises or its fixtures, mechanical systems, or furnishings or deliberately or negligently permit any person to do so. (d) Unless inconsistent with a written rental agreement or otherwise provided by law, a tenant may terminate a tenancy by actual notice given to the landlord at least one rental payment period prior to the termination date specified in the notice. (e) If a tenant acts in violation of this section, the landlord is entitled to recover damages, costs, and reasonable attorney’s fees, and the violation shall be grounds for termination under subsection 4467(b) of this title. (Added 1985, No. 175 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
Vermont law under 9 V.S.A. ch. 137 § 4456 sets out a range of obligations that tenants must meet while occupying a dwelling unit. These include not causing code violations, not disturbing neighbors' peaceful enjoyment, and not deliberately or negligently damaging the premises or its fixtures. The statute also establishes that a tenant who wishes to end a tenancy must generally give the landlord at least one full rental payment period of advance notice, and that violations of these obligations can expose a tenant to liability for damages, costs, and attorney's fees, as well as potential eviction.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under 9 V.S.A. ch. 137 § 4456, compliant property operators typically document the condition of a unit at move-in and throughout the tenancy so that any damage attributable to a tenant can be distinguished from normal wear and tear. When a tenant's conduct disturbs neighbors, creates code violations, or results in damage to the premises, operators generally keep records of incidents, communications, and repair costs, since the statute allows recovery of damages, costs, and reasonable attorney's fees. Operators also familiarize themselves with the notice requirements in subsection (d) so they can recognize when a tenant has or has not provided legally sufficient termination notice.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 4456 of Vermont's residential rental statute describes the conduct expected of tenants, including maintaining the unit in a code-compliant condition, avoiding disturbances to neighbors, and refraining from damaging the property. Tenants who wish to end their tenancy should be aware that § 4456(d) generally requires at least one full rental payment period of written notice to the landlord before the intended termination date, unless a written rental agreement or other law provides differently. Tenants who believe a landlord is improperly claiming a violation of this section may find it useful to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Vermont housing law to understand available defenses and options.
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 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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