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Retaliation by a Landlord

9 V.S.A. § 4465 — a landlord may not punish a tenant for a code complaint or for joining a tenants' union

A landlord may not retaliate, by changing the terms or bringing or threatening an action, against a tenant who complained to a government agency about a health or safety violation, complained to the landlord about a violation of the chapter, or organized or joined a tenants' union.

  • 9 V.S.A. § 4465
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Ninety days after an inspection notice. A termination for anything but unpaid rent, served within 90 days after a government notice that the premises fail health or safety rules, is presumed retaliatory, and the tenant has a defense and can recover damages and attorney's fees.

  • 9 V.S.A. § 4465
Sources for this section (1)
  1. 9 V.S.A. § 4465 — Retaliatory conduct prohibited

Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Vermont attorney.

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