9 V.S.A. § ___ § 4463
Illegal evictions
Operative Text
(a) No landlord may willfully cause, directly or indirectly, the interruption or termination of any utility service being supplied to the tenant, except for temporary interruptions for emergency repairs. (b) No landlord may directly or indirectly deny a tenant access to and possession of the tenant’s rented or leased premises, except through proper judicial process. (c) No landlord may directly or indirectly deny a tenant access to and possession of the tenant’s property, except through proper judicial process. (Added 1985, No. 175 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
Vermont law under 9 V.S.A. ch. 137 § 4463 prohibits landlords from using self-help tactics to remove or pressure tenants outside of the formal court process. Specifically, the provision bars cutting off utility services (except for genuine emergency repairs), blocking a tenant's access to their rented space, and denying a tenant access to their personal property — all without going through proper judicial proceedings. The rule reflects a legislative determination that evictions must follow an established legal process rather than informal or coercive means.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under 9 V.S.A. ch. 137 § 4463, compliant property owners in Vermont pursue formal court proceedings whenever they seek to remove a tenant or regain possession of a rental unit. Operators generally ensure that utility services remain uninterrupted throughout a tenancy, limiting any shutoffs strictly to documented emergency repair situations. Changing locks, removing doors, or otherwise physically blocking access to a unit or a tenant's belongings — outside of a court order — are the kinds of actions this provision is designed to prohibit.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 4463 of Title 9 of the Vermont Statutes gives tenants protection against so-called "self-help" evictions, meaning a landlord cannot lawfully shut off your utilities, lock you out, or withhold your personal property without going through the courts. If a landlord takes any of these actions, tenants may have grounds to raise a violation of § 4463 as a legal defense or as the basis for a complaint. Tenants experiencing these situations can explore options such as contacting a local tenant-rights organization, reaching out to Vermont Legal Aid, or consulting with an attorney familiar with Vermont landlord-tenant law.
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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