Is there a limit on late fees in Vermont?

Vermont sets no fixed percentage cap, but late fees must be reasonable and can be challenged if punitive. Late fees must be reasonable estimate of landlord costs. Should be disclosed in lease. No mandatory grace period.

Is there a grace period before late fees in Vermont?

Vermont has no statutory grace period; any grace period comes from your lease.

Can I dispute an excessive late fee in Vermont?

Yes. Fees that are disproportionate to the landlord's actual costs can be challenged as unreasonable penalties.

Vermont Late Fee Laws

no statutory percentage cap

Vermont has no statutory percentage cap on late fees (16 of 51 US jurisdictions cap them), but fees must still be reasonable — courts can strike down excessive charges. The FAQ below covers any other statutory limits that apply.

Educational information: generated from our Vermont law database (last updated 2024-01-01). Not legal advice.

How Vermont compares

16 of 51 US jurisdictions cap late fees by statute (as a percentage, dollar amount, or formula); the rest rely on reasonableness standards or set no limit. Here is how Vermont compares with other states in our database.

State	Late Fee Laws
Vermont	no statutory percentage cap
Virginia	10% of rent or of the unpaid balance, whichever is less
Washington	no statutory percentage cap
West Virginia	no statutory percentage cap
Wisconsin	no statutory percentage cap

Frequently asked questions

Is there a limit on late fees in Vermont?: Vermont sets no fixed percentage cap, but late fees must be reasonable and can be challenged if punitive. Late fees must be reasonable estimate of landlord costs. Should be disclosed in lease. No mandatory grace period.
Is there a grace period before late fees in Vermont?: Vermont has no statutory grace period; any grace period comes from your lease.
Can I dispute an excessive late fee in Vermont?: Yes. Fees that are disproportionate to the landlord's actual costs can be challenged as unreasonable penalties.

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More Vermont lease law guides

Educational information generated from state statute data — not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in Vermont for your specific situation.