9 V.S.A. § ___ § 4468
Termination of tenancy; action for possession
Operative Text
If the tenant remains in possession after termination of the rental agreement without the express consent of the landlord, the landlord may bring an action for possession, damages, and costs under 12 V.S.A. chapter 169, subchapter 3. (Added 1985, No. 175 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
Under 9 V.S.A. ch. 137 § 4468, when a rental agreement has ended and the tenant continues to occupy the property without the landlord's explicit permission, Vermont law gives the landlord a legal avenue to pursue formal removal of the tenant through the courts. This provision does not automatically end the tenancy or remove the tenant; it establishes the legal mechanism a landlord may use. The action can include claims for possession of the property, monetary damages, and court costs, pursued under the procedures set out in 12 V.S.A. chapter 169, subchapter 3.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under 9 V.S.A. ch. 137 § 4468, compliant operators generally ensure that any continued occupancy after a rental agreement ends is either covered by a new or extended agreement or addressed promptly through the court process. Landlords who have not given express consent to a holdover tenant typically document the end of the tenancy and any communications with the tenant before initiating a court action for possession, damages, and costs. Filing under 12 V.S.A. chapter 169, subchapter 3 is the prescribed legal pathway, and operators generally avoid self-help measures such as changing locks or removing belongings outside of that process.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 4468 of 9 V.S.A. ch. 137 means that once a rental agreement ends, a tenant who stays without the landlord's express consent may face a court action for possession, damages, and costs. Tenants in this situation have the right to respond to any such court action and to raise applicable defenses, such as whether proper notice was given or whether the landlord implicitly consented to continued occupancy. Tenants facing a holdover proceeding may find it useful to review their rental agreement, gather documentation of any landlord communications, and consult a tenant-rights organization or Vermont Legal Aid for general information about their options.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
Rules and statutes cited by this regulation
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation