DisputeKit / States / Vermont
Your consumer rights in Vermont
What Vermont and federal law say about getting a security deposit back, refunds and cancelling subscriptions, with the law cited and a sample letter for each.
Security deposits
14 days. Under 9 V.S.A. § 4461, a landlord must return the security deposit along with a written statement itemizing any deductions within 14 days. The clock starts when you move out and hand back possession of the unit. If they miss that deadline, they lose the right to keep any part of the deposit. A court may also award double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees and costs, if the landlord's failure to return the deposit was willful.
Refunds
If a company won't refund you, send a written demand with a clear deadline. If you paid by credit card, you may also be able to dispute the charge: Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, a billing-error dispute must reach the card issuer in writing within 60 days after the first statement showing the charge.
Subscriptions
Vermont has its own automatic-renewal law for subscriptions, on top of the federal Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act.
Small claims and complaints in Vermont
- Vermont consumer law
- 9 V.S.A. § 2453 (Vermont Consumer Protection Act)
- Where to file a complaint
- Vermont Attorney General, Consumer Assistance Program
- Small claims limit
- $10,000 (consumer credit and medical debt claims are capped at $5,000)
- Filing fee
- $65 for claims of $1,000 or less and $90 for larger claims