Bill H.399 aims to strengthen tenant protections in Vermont by implementing several key changes to residential rental agreements and tenant rights. The bill prohibits rental application fees as an unfair commercial practice and mandates that rental agreements of 12 months or longer be documented in writing with specific terms. It also limits no-cause evictions and annual rent increases to a maximum of one percent above the U.S. Consumer Price Index or five percent, whichever is lower. Additionally, the bill establishes a rental registry, creates the Office of Tenants Rights Advocate, and grants tenants the right to counsel in eviction proceedings, along with the ability to expunge eviction records.

Moreover, the bill requires landlords to notify tenants of their intent to sell a property, allowing tenants the opportunity to negotiate for purchase through a down payment revolving fund managed by the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board. It expands discrimination prohibitions in housing to include citizenship and immigration status, and introduces penalties for landlords who fail to comply with tenant notification requirements. The bill also allocates $5 million for a Tenant Right to Purchase Down Payment Assistance Program and an additional $4 million for the Office of Tenants Rights Advocate and legal services, with the act set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 9-137, 9-4501, 9-4502, 9-4503