LOCAL RULES

Vermont rental inspection report requirements

Your Vermont rental inspection report has 2 rules to meet. ReportDraft puts every one on your checklist and checks your draft before you sign.

  • The 14-day return with a written itemized statement
  • 48 hours' notice and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for an inspection during the tenancy
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Vermont gives landlords one of the shortest deposit windows in the country: 14 days to return the deposit with a written statement itemizing any deductions. The move-out report has to be ready fast. Here is each rule with a link to the Vermont Statutes, and how walkthrough notes become that report the same day.

Last reviewed October 10, 2026 against the official sources listed below.

Rental inspectionVERMONT / SAMPLE

Sample notes, 87 words

Move-in inspection
Address: 22 Cedar Court, Unit 4B, Montpelier, VT
Date: 2026-09-30
Landlord: Pinecrest Property Management
Tenant: Jordan Lee and Priya Raman
...
FREE PREVIEW OF THESE NOTES
79%of your draft is ready from these notes

We sorted 13 items into 6 sections and flagged 5 to fix soon.

  • Fix soonLiving and dining areas

    Carpet has a stain near the sofa wall.

  • Fix soonKitchen

    Dishwasher not working.

  • Fix soonKitchen

    Counter chipped near the sink.

2 Vermont rules on your checklist, including the 14-day return with a written itemized statement.

Still to add

  • RecommendedNotes for entry and hallways
  • RecommendedNotes for laundry and utility

Filled in for you

Inspection typeMove-in
Rental unit address22 Cedar Court, Unit 4B, Montpelier, VT
Inspection dateSep 30, 2026
Landlord or property managerPinecrest Property Management
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What Vermont requires

  • The landlord may keep deposit money for unpaid rent, damage to the landlord's property that is not normal wear and tear or the result of events beyond the tenant's control, unpaid utility or other charges the tenant had to pay to the landlord or a utility, and removing articles the tenant abandoned9 V.S.A. s. 4461 (b)
  • The landlord returns the deposit with a written statement itemizing any deductions within 14 days after discovering the tenant vacated or abandoned the unit, or after the vacating date the tenant gave notice of; for a seasonal rental that is not a primary residence, within 60 days9 V.S.A. s. 4461 (c)
  • The statement and any payment are hand-delivered or mailed to the tenant's last known address9 V.S.A. s. 4461 (d)
  • Missing the 14 days forfeits the right to keep any of the deposit; a willful failure makes the landlord liable for double the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney's fees and costs9 V.S.A. s. 4461 (e)
  • A town or municipality may adopt a security deposit ordinance that adds to, but does not undercut, these protections9 V.S.A. s. 4461 (g)
  • Without the tenant's consent, the landlord may enter to inspect only between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. and on no less than 48 hours' notice, except for imminent danger9 V.S.A. s. 4460 (b) and (c)
  • The tenant may not deliberately or negligently damage or remove any part of the premises, its fixtures, mechanical systems or furnishings9 V.S.A. s. 4456 (c)

What can be deducted

The landlord may keep deposit money for unpaid rent, damage to the landlord's property, unpaid utility or other charges the tenant had to pay to the landlord or a utility, and the cost of removing articles the tenant abandoned. Damage does not count if it is normal wear and tear or the result of events beyond the tenant's control.

The tenant's duty is not to deliberately or negligently damage or remove any part of the premises, its fixtures, mechanical systems or furnishings.

14 days, with a written statement

The deposit comes back with a written statement itemizing any deductions within 14 days after the landlord discovers the tenant vacated or abandoned the unit, or after the vacating date the tenant gave notice of. For a seasonal rental that is not a primary residence, the window is 60 days. The statement and payment are hand-delivered or mailed to the tenant's last known address.

Missing the 14 days forfeits the right to keep any of the deposit, and a willful failure costs double the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney's fees and costs. Towns may add their own deposit ordinances on top.

Inspections during the tenancy

With the tenant's consent, which may not be unreasonably withheld, the landlord can enter any time agreed. Without it, an inspection takes no less than 48 hours' notice and happens between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., unless there is imminent danger to a person or property.

From walkthrough notes to a finished Vermont report

With 14 days on the clock, write the move-out report on the day of the walkthrough. Note each room, any damage and its cause if you know, and anything left behind. ReportDraft writes it up room by room with damage, wear and abandoned items as separate findings, ready for the itemized statement, and leaves lines for the landlord and the tenant to sign.

A move-in report in the same layout is what shows damage is new rather than wear.

Common mistakes

  • Working to a 30-day habit instead of Vermont's 14 days.
  • Deducting for damage caused by events beyond the tenant's control.
  • Charging for normal wear and tear.
  • Inspecting with less than 48 hours' notice, or outside 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Sending the deposit without an itemized written statement of deductions.

Sources

Last reviewed October 10, 2026. Next review due January 10, 2027. This page explains published rules to help you write your report. It is not legal advice; the official text linked above governs.