moves out, together with a written statement itemizing any deductions. If the landlord fails to return the entire deposit or the written statement within the 14-day period, the landlord forfeits the right to keep any portion of the deposit and must return the entire deposit. The 14-day period begins to run on the day the landlord becomes aware that the tenant has moved out. This is not necessarily the last day of the lease or the day the tenant and the landlord agreed that the premises would be vacated. A tenant who does not receive his or her deposit back or who disagrees with some of the deductions may go to small claims court. To begin a small claims suit contact the superior court for your county, found in the phone book under State of Vermont - Courts.


If the landlord willfully withholds or fails to return the security deposit and written statement, the landlord may, at a judge’s discretion, be ordered to pay the tenant two times the amount of security, plus reasonable attorney’s fees and costs if the tenant goes to court.


If the landlord returns a check for only part of the deposit, and the tenant feels he or she should get more back, the tenant may cash the check and still pursue his or her right to contest the balance of the deposit.


If the building is sold, the former owner must transfer the deposit to the new owner, and the new owner must give the tenant his/her name and address and state that the deposit has been transferred. The new landlord then becomes responsible for returning the deposit. Some municipalities have separate security deposit laws that require that interest be paid on security deposits and that the deposit be kept in a separate account. As an alternative to small claims court, some municipalities have housing boards that can hear security deposit disputes.


Privacy and Access


Your landlord will need to come into the rental unit on occasion. However, the landlord must respect your privacy. State law clearly sets out when and under what circumstances a landlord may enter the tenant’s apartment. A landlord may enter with the tenant’s permission at any time they both agree upon and the tenant may not unreasonably withhold permission. A landlord may also enter without the tenant’s permission, but only after no less than 48 hours notice, only between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., and only for the following reasons:


• to inspect the premises; • to make repairs, alterations, or improvements to the apartment;


40 On Your Own, 2008 Edition


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