Get Your Deposit Back

Start based on your situation

• Deposit not returned
• Unfair deductions
• Vermont 14-day deadline
• Avoid problems before move-out

What Vermont law is built around

Vermont generally requires the landlord to return the deposit and any written itemized deductions within 14 days using the statute's discovery-or-notice trigger.

That is not always just 14 days after move-out. The rule runs from when the landlord discovers the tenant vacated or abandoned the unit, or from the tenant's vacate date if the landlord received notice of that date.

If the landlord fails to return the deposit with the required statement on time, Vermont law says the landlord forfeits the right to withhold any portion of the deposit. If the failure is willful, the landlord can be liable for double the amount wrongfully withheld plus reasonable attorney's fees and costs.

Read the full law overview

This is a sequence, not one magic letter

One letter is sometimes enough, but often it is not.

1. Document your vacate date, possession, and where the landlord should respond before the dispute starts
2. Send a clear deposit-due notice after the Vermont deadline passes
3. Follow up with the deadline, forfeiture rule, deduction limits, and your records clearly stated
4. Send a final demand before deciding whether to file

Step 1 is preventive. It helps make the vacate-date notice and move-out record clear before the landlord decides what to do with your deposit.

You can handle this yourself

The free pages here explain the timing rule, deductions, evidence, demand-letter basics, and what small claims looks like.

The paid system is the shortcut: the letters, order, timing, and follow-up already organized so you do not have to piece it together while stressed.