27 V.S.A. § ___ § 1333
Conversion building; notice to tenants
Operative Text
(a) If the building to be converted consists of more than five dwelling units or if the building to be converted is part of an apartment complex or is one building in a group of buildings that are contiguous or that share common areas, the landlord shall give to each tenant the following minimum written notice to vacate or purchase the unit: two years to tenants who are elders or have a disability; one year to low-income tenant households; six months to all other tenants. (b) If the building to be converted consists of five or fewer dwelling units, the landlord shall give to each tenant the following minimum written notice to vacate or purchase the unit: one year to tenants who are elders or have a disability; six months to low-income tenant households; three months to all other tenants. A landlord may not circumvent the longer notice requirements by converting a building consisting of five or fewer dwelling units if the conversion is part of a plan to convert more than five dwelling units. (c) The notice shall state that the building is to be converted to a common interest community. It shall set forth generally the rights of tenants under this subchapter, and shall be given by certified mail, return receipt requested, at the address of the unit or any other mailing address provided by the tenant. Failure to give notice as required by this section is a defense to an action for possession. (d) During the notice period, a tenant may not be required to vacate except for a reason specified in 9 V.S.A. § 4467(a) or (b). (e) During the notice period, rent increases shall be limited to an amount which reflects reasonable profits, actual increased costs of maintenance and operation of the dwelling unit subject to conversion. Costs associated with the proposed conversion are not a permissible basis for a rent increase. (f) After receipt of the notice prescribed in subsection (a) of this section, a tenant may terminate the rental agreement upon 30 days’ written notice to the landlord. (g) Nothing in this section permits termination of a written lease by a landlord in violation of its terms. (h) The notice requirements imposed by this section shall not affect the right of a declarant to transfer ownership interests in dwelling units that are not subject to those requirements or as to which the notice period has expired. (Added 1985, No. 175 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; amended 1997, No. 104 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1999; 2013, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 186.)
Under 27 V.S.A. ch. 15 § 1333, when a residential building is being converted to a common interest community (such as condominiums), landlords must provide tenants with advance written notice before requiring them to vacate or purchase their unit. The required notice period varies based on building size and tenant characteristics — ranging from three months up to two years — with longer protections for elders, people with disabilities, and low-income households. During the notice period, rent increases are restricted to amounts reflecting reasonable profits and actual increased operating costs, and tenants cannot be forced to leave except for specific statutory reasons. A landlord's failure to provide proper notice under this section can be raised as a defense against an eviction action.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators planning a condominium or common interest community conversion must comply with the tiered notice requirements of 27 V.S.A. ch. 15 § 1333, which differ based on building size and the characteristics of each tenant household. Compliant operators identify which tenants qualify as elders, have a disability, or meet low-income thresholds, and deliver the appropriate written notice by certified mail with return receipt requested to each tenant's unit address or other address on file. The notice itself must describe the conversion, outline tenant rights under the subchapter, and be delivered well in advance of any expected vacancy. Operators also track rent increase restrictions during the notice period and avoid structuring smaller conversions in ways designed to circumvent the longer notice timelines that apply to larger buildings or complexes.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 27 V.S.A. ch. 15 § 1333, tenants in a building being converted to a common interest community are entitled to a minimum written notice period before being required to vacate or decide whether to purchase their unit, with the length depending on building size and whether the tenant is an elder, has a disability, or is part of a low-income household. If a landlord fails to deliver proper notice by certified mail as required by this section, that failure can be raised as a defense in any eviction or possession proceeding. Tenants also have the right to terminate their own rental agreement on 30 days' written notice after receiving a conversion notice, and rent increases during the notice period are limited by law. Tenants who believe their notice rights have been violated may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Vermont housing 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.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation