Burlington ballot measure would give City Council more authority over rental rules

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – A Burlington ballot question going to voters this spring will allow the City Council to decide Burlington’s rules regarding lease termination notices in the city.

Burlington currently requires landlords to give 90 to 120 days notice for evictions and rent increases. But the Legislature must sign off on any changes to Burlington. The proposed charter change would take that decision out of the hands of the Legislature and allow the council to set its own time frames.

“Burlington is pushing the state hard when it comes to building rental housing, and so we need to be able to potentially offer people longer periods and more runway so that if they are caught off guard by a rent increase that they just had, they can make other plans,” said Councilman Evan, D-Ward 7. “We can’t afford it or don’t want to take on a third job,” Litwin said.

The council voted unanimously Tuesday to put the question to voters on Town Meeting Day. Even if voters approve the measure, it would still need legislative approval.

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