Helping Vermonters In Court When Facing Eviction

Nearly every week, volunteer lawyers join our attorneys (including Kyle, pictured here in Rutland) in court to help low-income Vermonters facing eviction.

Legal Services Vermont (LSV) reaches out to Vermont tenants who have an upcoming rent-escrow hearing (also called a hearing for “paying Rent into Court”) in the following counties:

• Addison County
• Chittenden County
• Franklin County
• Rutland County
• Washington County

After a discussion, the tenant may choose to have an LSV or volunteer attorney at their side for the court hearing. There is no cost to the tenant.

Often a landlord has a lawyer. LSV finds that representing the tenant at the hearing helps the tenant understand and feel more satisfied about the outcome of their hearing — even if the outcome is just to have more time to move.

In 2023, Legal Services Vermont helped protect the rights of hundreds of low-income people faced with losing their home during rent-escrow hearings. This program has been recognized in a Legal Services Corporation report to Congress as an innovative project to respond to the eviction crisis. The program is funded specifically for five counties in Vermont at this time.

• If you are an attorney, lend a hand at a rent-escrow clinic! See our Pro Bono volunteer opportunities.
• If you are facing eviction, learn about your rights on our legal help website.

Photo credit: Bradley E. Showman