This document discusses tenants' rights and responsibilities regarding leases and rental agreements. It covers key points such as: 1) A lease is a legally binding contract that obligates tenants to pay rent for a set period of time. There may be financial penalties for breaking a lease early. 2) Landlords must return security deposits within 14 days or provide an itemized list of deductions. Deposits cannot be used for last month's rent. 3) Tenants who break a lease early can be liable for rent until the unit is re-rented, though landlords must make good faith efforts to find new tenants. 4) Proper documentation like a move-in/move-out

1. Tenants Rights and
Responsibilities
Leases Laws and Good Ideas
Made for Champlain College: Living Off Campus
By Robin Guillian

2. Signing A Lease
• A lease is a legally binding contract (rental agreement)
between the tenant and landlord. By entering into a
lease, a tenant binds him or herself to certain
obligations, including the obligation to pay rent and to
stay in the apartment for a certain period of time.
• Any rental agreements may be:
for a set period of time, such as for one year
• for an open ended period of time, either month-to-
month or week-to-week
• There is usually a financial price to pay for a tenant
"breaking a lease" early.

3. Deposits
Landlords must return the deposit or give the
tenant a written, itemized list of the deductions
within 14 days of the day the tenant moves out.
Some reasons Landlords will keep your deposit:
• Non payment of rent or utilities!
• Damage other than normal wear and tear!
• Abandoned items: Take all your stuff!
Your Deposit Cannot Be Used For Your Last Months Rent!

4. Breaking The Lease
If the tenant breaks the lease for a reason that is not the fault of the
landlord, the tenant can be held liable for the rent until the lease
expires or the apartment is re-rented, although the landlord has an
obligation to make a good faith effort to re-rent the apartment as
quickly as possible.
Note: Each person can be held responsible for the whole amount!
Discuss with your roommates what will happen if someone must leave
early (Roommate agreements)

5. Move In Move Out Inspection
• This form is designed to assist in recording the
condition of a rental unit upon moving in and moving
out. To be most useful, it should be filled out in the
presence of the property owner and the tenant, and
each should retain a signed and dated copy.
• You have the right to a Habitable Safe Living Environment
• Landlords do not have the legal right to evict because you
report them

6. Good Ideas
If you pay cash, get a receipt!
Always pay rent on time: saves late fees, establishes good
references, and good credit
Choose responsible roommates: Fill out a roommate agreement
form (see sample)
Take care of the property: Your deposit is usually equal to one
months rent, you want it back!
If there is a problem, inform the landlord!
Keep track of correspondence.

7. Roommate Agreement Form
Helps keep things clear by defining:
How the rent gets paid
What happens if someone doesn’t pay
How the security deposit gets divided and returned
What happens if someone leaves early
How utilities get paid

8. Resources for Information
• Burlington Housing Authority:
www.burlingtonhousing.org
802 864 0538
CVOEO Vermont Tenants:
www.cvoeo.org
802 864 0099
Renting in Vermont Handbook: Describes the Vermont
Landlord/Tenant Laws