CVR 13-140-031 § 10
Structural Elements
Operative Text
10.1 Every owner of a dwelling or rooming house shall provide and maintain the foundation, floors, walls, doors, windows, ceilings, roof, staircases, chimneys and other structural elements of his or her dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house, or rooming unit so that it is weathertight, watertight, rodent proof and in good repair. 10.2 Every occupant of a dwelling or rooming house shall exercise reasonable care in the use of the structural elements of the building to maintain it in good working condition. 10.3 Every dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house, or rooming unit shall be maintained to be free from the regular or periodic appearance of standing water or excessive moisture, which may result in visible mold growth.
CVR 13-140-031 § 10 establishes shared responsibilities for the physical integrity of residential buildings in Vermont. Owners must keep structural components—such as foundations, roofs, walls, windows, and staircases—weathertight, watertight, rodent-proof, and in good repair. Occupants, in turn, are expected to use those structural elements with reasonable care. Additionally, all covered dwellings and rooming units must be kept free from recurring standing water or excessive moisture that could lead to visible mold growth.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under CVR 13-140-031 § 10, compliant property owners routinely inspect and repair foundational elements, roofing, windows, doors, and other structural components to ensure they remain weathertight, watertight, and rodent-proof. Operators generally document maintenance activities and address moisture intrusion promptly to prevent the conditions that lead to standing water or mold growth. Keeping records of inspections and repairs can help demonstrate ongoing compliance with the structural maintenance standards set out in this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
CVR 13-140-031 § 10 gives tenants a basis to expect that their dwelling's structural elements—roof, walls, windows, floors, and more—are kept weathertight, watertight, and rodent-proof by the owner. If recurring standing water, excessive moisture, or visible mold appears, this provision may be relevant to a housing complaint or raised as a defense in certain legal proceedings. Tenants who believe these standards are not being met may consider contacting a local housing authority, a tenant-rights organization, or Vermont Legal Aid to understand available enforcement paths.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 26, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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