27 V.S.A. § ___ § 1364
Protection against harassment
Operative Text
(a) No park owner or site owner may willfully cause, directly or indirectly, the interruption or termination of any utility service being supplied to a resident, except for temporary interruptions for emergency repairs. (b) No park owner or site owner may directly or indirectly deny a resident access to and possession of the resident’s rented or leased premises, except through proper judicial process. (c) No park owner or site owner may directly or indirectly deny a resident access to and possession of the resident’s property, except through proper judicial process. (d) Any resident who sustains damage or injury as a result of an illegal eviction may bring an action for injunctive relief, damages, costs, and reasonable attorney’s fees. (e) A court may award reasonable attorney’s fees to the park owner or site owner if, upon motion and hearing, it is determined that the action was not brought in good faith and was frivolous or intended for harassment only. (f) A park owner or site owner may not retaliate by establishing or changing terms of a rental agreement or by bringing or threatening to bring an action against a resident who has not elected to become a purchasing leaseholder or who has organized or become a member of a resident’s association or similar organization. (g) If a park owner or site owner acts in violation of this section, the resident is entitled to recover damages and reasonable attorney’s fees and has a defense in any retaliatory action for possession. (Added 1993, No. 97, § 1.)
Vermont law under 27 V.S.A. ch. 15 § 1364 prohibits park and site owners from cutting off utility services, blocking access to a resident's home or belongings, or retaliating against residents who join tenant organizations or decline to become purchasing leaseholders — except through lawful court proceedings. Residents harmed by illegal eviction tactics may seek injunctive relief, monetary damages, and attorney's fees in court. Courts may also award fees to a park or site owner if a resident's claim is found to be frivolous or brought solely to harass.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under 27 V.S.A. ch. 15 § 1364, compliant park and site operators maintain uninterrupted utility service to residents except during genuine emergency repairs, and they pursue any removal of a resident exclusively through the judicial process rather than through self-help measures. Operators also avoid changing lease terms or initiating legal action in response to a resident's decision to organize or join a residents' association. Keeping clear records of maintenance actions and any lease modifications helps demonstrate that decisions are made for legitimate operational reasons rather than retaliatory ones.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 1364 of Title 27 of Vermont law gives mobile home park and site residents the right to continued utility service, unobstructed access to their home and belongings, and protection from retaliation for organizing or joining a residents' association. If a park or site owner violates these protections, § 1364 allows a resident to pursue damages, attorney's fees, and injunctive relief in court, and to raise the violation as a defense in any eviction proceeding brought against them. Residents who believe their rights under this provision have been violated may wish to contact a Vermont tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand the options available to them.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation