12 V.S.A. § ___ § 4852
Mode of process; declaration; trial by jury
Operative Text
The process may issue as a summons or writ of attachment, requiring the defendant to appear and answer to the complaint of the plaintiff which shall state that the defendant is in the possession of the lands or tenements in question (describing them), which the tenant holds unlawfully and against the right of the plaintiff. A copy of the rental agreement, if any, and any notice to terminate the defendant’s tenancy shall be attached to the complaint. Either party shall have the right to a trial by jury. (Amended 1971, No. 185 (Adj. Sess.), § 139, eff. March 29, 1972; 1973, No. 249 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. April 9, 1974; 1999, No. 115 (Adj. Sess.), § 9.)
Vermont law under 12 V.S.A. ch. 169 § 4852 establishes the procedural framework for eviction (ejectment) actions in the state. A landlord initiating such a case must file a complaint that identifies the property, asserts the tenant's unlawful possession, and attaches copies of any rental agreement and any notice to terminate the tenancy. Either the landlord or the tenant has the right to request that the dispute be decided by a jury rather than a judge alone.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under 12 V.S.A. ch. 169 § 4852, landlords who pursue an eviction action must ensure their complaint is properly prepared: it must describe the property, allege unlawful possession, and include copies of the rental agreement (if one exists) and any termination notice that was served. Operators who maintain organized records of lease documents and written notices are generally better positioned to satisfy these filing requirements. Either party may elect a jury trial, so landlords should be aware that the case may proceed before a jury rather than a judge.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 12 V.S.A. ch. 169 § 4852, tenants named in an eviction action have the right to a jury trial if they choose to exercise it. The law also requires the landlord's complaint to include copies of the rental agreement and any termination notice, and a tenant may have grounds to raise procedural deficiencies if those documents are missing or inconsistent with the facts. Tenants facing eviction proceedings may benefit from contacting a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand the options available under this provision.
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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