Can a landlord in Vermont ask his tenant to pay rent for the entire term of the lease, if the tenant abandoned the property before the expiry of the lease?
Full Question:
My tenant abandoned the rental premises in Vermont, six months before the expiry of the lease, claiming he is not liable to pay rent for those six months. Can I ask the tenant to pay rent for the entire term of the lease (including the six months that he did not stay in the house)?
02/14/2017 |
Category: Landlord Tenant |
State: Vermont |
#32120
Answer:
9 V.S.A. § 4462 states:
“(a) A tenant has abandoned a dwelling unit if:
(1) there are circumstances which would lead a reasonable person to believe that the dwelling unit is no longer occupied as a full-time residence;
(2) rent is not current; and
(3) the landlord has made reasonable efforts to ascertain the tenant's intentions.
(b) If the tenant abandons the dwelling unit the tenant shall remain liable for rent until the expiration of the rental agreement. However, if the landlord rents the dwelling unit before the expiration of the rental agreement, the agreement terminates on the date of the new tenancy.”
(1) there are circumstances which would lead a reasonable person to believe that the dwelling unit is no longer occupied as a full-time residence;
(2) rent is not current; and
(3) the landlord has made reasonable efforts to ascertain the tenant's intentions.
(b) If the tenant abandons the dwelling unit the tenant shall remain liable for rent until the expiration of the rental agreement. However, if the landlord rents the dwelling unit before the expiration of the rental agreement, the agreement terminates on the date of the new tenancy.”