Vermont Guide
Vermont's 14-day deadline passed? The landlord may have forfeited the deposit.
Vermont has one of the shortest deposit windows in New England — 14 days under 9 V.S.A. § 4461. Miss it, and the landlord forfeits the right to withhold any of it. If that deadline has passed, a dated written demand is your next move.
Write it free below. If you'd rather not deal with the printer and post office, we mail it for you — first class for $10, or certified with delivery tracking for $19.
Best fit
- Deposit not returned within 14 days
- Need a written deductions statement
- Seasonal exception does not apply
- Want clean mailing proof
This is the letter you'll send
No guessing about wording. You fill in your details and the builder produces a clean, dated demand letter like this one — ready to download or have us mail.
Tyler Hodge 55 Church Street Burlington, VT 05401
May 29, 2026
Nancy Bouchard Green Mountain Rentals 88 Main Street Burlington, VT 05401
Re: Demand for Return of Security Deposit under 9 V.S.A. Sec. 4461
Dear Nancy Bouchard,
I am requesting the return of my security deposit for 12 Pearl Street, Apt 4, Burlington, VT. I vacated the property on April 30, 2026 and am providing my mailing address above for return of the deposit.
Under 9 V.S.A. Sec. 4461, a landlord must return the security deposit together with a written statement itemizing any deductions within the statutory deadline.
If you claim deductions, please send the written statement and any remaining balance immediately. Otherwise, please return the full deposit without delay.
Please send all correspondence and payment to the mailing address listed above.
Sincerely,
Tyler Hodge
How it works
Fill in your details
Your info, the landlord's mailing address, your move-out date, and the deposit amount. Takes a couple of minutes.
Download free, or let us mail it
Print and mail it yourself at no cost — or hand it off and skip the errand entirely.
We print, stamp, and send
First class for $10, or certified mail with tracking for $19 so you have proof it was delivered.
Why the 14-day rule matters
Vermont law, 9 V.S.A. § 4461, says the landlord must return the security deposit with a written itemized statement of deductions within 14 days after the landlord learns the tenant vacated or the tenant provides notice of that date. For seasonal occupancy that is not the tenant's primary residence, the deadline is longer.
If the landlord misses the 14-day deadline, the statute states the landlord forfeits the right to withhold any portion of the deposit. That is not just a penalty — it means the landlord can no longer legally keep any part of the money, regardless of what the deductions might have been.
Vermont has one of the shortest deposit return deadlines in New England. If the deadline has already passed, a written demand letter is the appropriate next move.
When the clock starts
The 14 days begin when the landlord learns you have vacated, or when you notify them of your move-out date — whichever comes first. If you moved out without telling the landlord, make sure they have written notice of the date now. That starts the window.
The seasonal occupancy exception applies to property that is not your primary home — vacation rentals and seasonal units. If this was your primary home, the 14-day rule applies and the exception does not.
What to put in your demand
- Your name and forwarding address
- The rental property address
- Your move-out date and how you notified the landlord
- The full deposit amount you paid
- A demand for full return, citing the expired 14-day window
- A specific response deadline — 7 to 10 days from the letter date
What to expect after sending
The landlord returns the deposit. Once a formal written demand arrives, many landlords act quickly. The letter shows you know the legal deadline has passed and are documenting the failure.
The landlord disputes the timeline. This is where your records matter. If you have written proof of when you vacated and when you notified the landlord, you have the stronger position. Keep every email, text, and dated notice.
No response. Vermont small claims court handles disputes up to $5,000. Bring the letter, proof of mailing, your lease, and your move-out documentation. If the 14-day window passed without a return or itemized statement, the forfeiture provision works in your favor.
Official source
General information only, not legal advice. Vermont security deposit law includes specific provisions that can depend on your tenancy type and circumstances. Consult a qualified attorney or Vermont Legal Aid for guidance.
Choose how it gets mailed
Writing and downloading your letter is always free. You only pay if you want us to handle the printing and mailing.
Ready to write it?
Open the Vermont security deposit demand template, add your move-out date and deposit details, then download it free or have Forman3D print and mail it.