9 V.S.A. § ___ § 4451
Definitions
Operative Text
As used in this chapter: (1) “Actual notice” means receipt of written notice hand-delivered or mailed to the last known address. A rebuttable presumption that the notice was received three days after mailing is created if the sending party proves that the notice was sent by first-class or certified U.S. mail. (2) “Building, housing, and health regulations” means any law, ordinance, or governmental regulation concerning health, safety, sanitation, or fitness for habitation or concerning the construction, maintenance, operation, occupancy, use, or appearance of any premises or dwelling unit. (3) “Dwelling unit” means a building or the part of a building that is used as a home, residence, or sleeping place by one or more persons who maintain a household. (4) “Landlord” means the owner, lessor, or where applicable, the sublessor of a residential dwelling unit or the building of which it is a part. (5) “Normal wear and tear” means the deterioration that occurs, based upon the reasonable use for which the rental unit is intended, without negligence, carelessness, accident, or abuse of the premises or equipment or chattels by the tenant or members of his or her household or their invitees or guests. (6) “Premises” means a dwelling unit, its appurtenances and the building, and the grounds, areas, and facilities held out for the use of tenants generally or whose use is promised to the tenant. (7) “Rent” means all consideration to be made to or for the benefit of the landlord under the rental agreement, not including security deposits. (8) “Rental agreement” means all agreements, written or oral, embodying terms and conditions concerning the use and occupancy of a dwelling unit and premises. (9) “Sublease” means a rental agreement, written or oral, embodying terms and conditions concerning the use and occupancy of a dwelling unit and premises between two tenants, a sublessor, and a sublessee. (10) “Tenant” means a person entitled under a rental agreement to occupy a residential dwelling unit to the exclusion of others. (Added 1985, No. 175 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2007, No. 176 (Adj. Sess.), § 44; 2015, No. 126 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
Section 4451 of Vermont's residential rental statute (9 V.S.A. ch. 137) establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout the chapter, giving precise legal meaning to everyday terms like "landlord," "tenant," "rent," "premises," and "normal wear and tear." These definitions set the boundaries of who and what is covered by Vermont's residential rental laws, and they govern how disputes, notices, and obligations under the chapter are interpreted. For example, the definition of "actual notice" establishes a rebuttable presumption that mailed notices are received three days after sending, which affects timing calculations throughout the chapter.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under 9 V.S.A. ch. 137 § 4451 should be familiar with how the statute defines key terms, since those definitions shape obligations throughout the entire chapter. The definition of "actual notice," for instance, means that compliant operators who send written notices by first-class or certified U.S. mail can rely on a presumption of receipt three days after mailing, though that presumption can be rebutted. Understanding the distinction between "normal wear and tear" and tenant-caused damage—as defined in this section—is also central to how security deposit deductions are evaluated under Vermont law.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Vermont's residential rental law at 9 V.S.A. ch. 137 § 4451 defines the terms that shape tenants' rights and landlords' obligations throughout the chapter, so understanding these definitions can be important when a dispute arises. The definition of "normal wear and tear," for example, is relevant to whether a landlord may lawfully withhold from a security deposit, since only damage beyond that standard is generally deductible. Tenants who believe a landlord has misapplied these definitions—such as by treating ordinary use as damage—may find it useful to consult a tenant-rights organization or review the full chapter for the specific provisions that apply to their situation.
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 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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