9 V.S.A. § ___ § 4475
Limitation of liability; enforcement
Operative Text
Except in the case of gross negligence or willful misconduct, a landlord is immune from liability for damages to a protected tenant if he or she acts in good faith reliance on: (1) the provisions of this subchapter; or (2) information provided or action taken by a protected tenant pursuant to the provisions of this subchapter. (Added 2019, No. 48, § 2.)
Vermont law under 9 V.S.A. ch. 137 § 4475 establishes a liability shield for landlords who act in good faith when following the rules of this subchapter or when relying on information or actions provided by a protected tenant under the same subchapter. This immunity does not apply if the landlord's conduct rises to the level of gross negligence or willful misconduct. The provision effectively draws a line between honest mistakes made while following the law and conduct that is reckless or intentional.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under 9 V.S.A. ch. 137 § 4475, landlords who operate in good faith—whether by following the subchapter's requirements or by acting on information supplied by a protected tenant—generally benefit from immunity against damage claims brought by that tenant. Compliant operators typically document their reliance on tenant-provided information and maintain records showing adherence to the subchapter's procedures. This protection does not extend to conduct that could be characterized as grossly negligent or willfully improper, so careful, well-documented practices remain important.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 4475 of 9 V.S.A. ch. 137 limits a landlord's liability exposure when they act in good faith under this subchapter, but it does not protect landlords whose conduct amounts to gross negligence or willful misconduct. Tenants who believe a landlord's actions crossed that threshold may have grounds to pursue a claim, and consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service can help clarify whether the immunity provision applies to a particular set of facts. Tenants should consider keeping records of any information they provide to their landlord and any actions taken under this subchapter, as that documentation may be relevant if a dispute arises.
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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