Under Vermont law, the landlord has 14 days from when they found out you were moving out to deal with your security deposit.

The landlord has three choices:

1. return the full deposit
2. return part of the deposit, or
3. return none of the deposit. 

If the landlord keeps any part of your security deposit, they must give you a written, itemized explanation. It needs to list the costs they are keeping from your security deposit:

• unpaid rent
• unpaid utilities
• damage beyond normal wear and tear, or
• expenses to remove things you left behind.

If you got your whole deposit back, you're done! Congratulations!

If the landlord disagrees with you and keeps part or all of your security deposit, read on. 

You can send a letter to your landlord demanding they return your deposit. Use our sample letter. 

• See the web page version of the sample letter.
• Our PDF file does not fully comply with all applicable guidelines for accessible digital documents. For the most accessible experience, use the web page above.
• Download a PDF version of the sample letter.

If that doesn't work, you can ask for a hearing or start a lawsuit. Learn how on the next page.