9 V.S.A. § ___ § 4552
Duties; jurisdiction
Operative Text
(a) The Commission shall endeavor through public education to increase awareness of the importance of full civil and human rights for each inhabitant of this State. The Commission shall also examine and evaluate generally the effectiveness of this chapter as well as the existence of practices of discrimination that detract from the enjoyment of full civil and human rights and shall recommend measures designed to protect those rights. (b)(1) The Commission shall have jurisdiction to investigate and enforce complaints of unlawful discrimination in violation of chapter 139 of this title, discrimination in public accommodations and rental and sale of real estate. The Commission shall also have jurisdiction when the party complained against is a State agency in matters for which the Attorney General would otherwise have jurisdiction under subsection (c) of this section. (2) In any case relating to unlawful discrimination or sexual harassment in violation of 21 V.S.A. § 495 et seq. that the Commission has jurisdiction over pursuant to this subsection, it shall include a statement setting forth the prohibition against retaliation pursuant to 21 V.S.A. § 495(a)(8) with any formal complaint that is sent to a respondent. (c) All complaints of unlawful discrimination in violation of 21 V.S.A. §§ 495 et seq. and 710, the Fair Employment Practices Act and the provisions for workers’ compensation discrimination, respectively, and of 21 V.S.A. § 471 et seq. shall be referred to the Attorney General’s office for investigation and enforcement. (Added 1987, No. 234 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1989, No. 150 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2017, No. 183 (Adj. Sess.), § 3.)
Vermont's 9 V.S.A. ch. 141 § 4552 establishes the Vermont Human Rights Commission as the primary body responsible for investigating and enforcing complaints of unlawful discrimination in housing—including the rental and sale of real estate—and in public accommodations. The Commission is also charged with public education about civil and human rights and with evaluating how well the state's anti-discrimination laws are working. Separately, complaints involving employment discrimination under the Fair Employment Practices Act and related statutes are routed to the Vermont Attorney General's office rather than the Commission.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under 9 V.S.A. ch. 141 § 4552, property owners and managers who rent or sell real estate in Vermont are subject to the Vermont Human Rights Commission's investigative and enforcement authority when discrimination complaints are filed against them. Operators who maintain consistent, documented, non-discriminatory policies in tenant screening, lease terms, and property transactions are generally better positioned to respond to any Commission inquiry. When a complaint is filed, the Commission has the authority to formally investigate, so keeping thorough records of rental decisions and communications is a standard practice among compliant operators.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 4552 of 9 V.S.A. ch. 141 gives Vermont renters the right to file a discrimination complaint with the Vermont Human Rights Commission if they believe they have experienced unlawful discrimination in the rental or sale of housing. The Commission is empowered to investigate those complaints and take enforcement action, and it also conducts public education that can help tenants understand their civil rights. Tenants who believe they have experienced retaliation after filing a complaint may also have protections available, and tenant-rights organizations or the Commission's own public resources can help explain the options available under this provision.
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
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