Burlington Housing Board of Review - Burlington, VT

Burlington Housing Board of Review

Board Overview

The Burlington Housing Board of Review is a quasi-judicial municipal body appointed by the City Council to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants. Administered through the Clerk/Treasurer's Office at City Hall, the Board provides a fair and accessible forum for hearing appeals related to housing standards and financial disagreements. It is composed of five citizen members who serve three-year terms. The Board's primary function is to enforce the city's minimum housing ordinances while ensuring due process for all parties involved. It meets regularly, typically on the first and third Mondays of the month, to hear cases and issue binding decisions.

Key Responsibilities

The Board handles specific types of housing-related cases:

• Security Deposit Disputes: Hearing appeals from tenants who believe their security deposit was wrongfully withheld. The Board enforces the city's strict timeline (14 days) for landlords to return deposits or provide an itemized list of deductions.
• Minimum Housing Orders: Reviewing appeals from property owners who have been cited for code violations by the Code Enforcement office.
• Variance Requests: Considering requests for exceptions to specific housing code requirements where strict compliance would cause undue hardship.
• Rent Control (Mobile Homes): In limited capacities, reviewing rent increases for mobile home parks to ensure they are not excessive.

Filing and Access

To bring a case before the Board, residents must file a formal written request or application with the Clerk's Office at 149 Church Street. There is often a filing fee associated with appeals, though waivers may be available for those demonstrating financial hardship. Hearings are public, and while parties can represent themselves, they must come prepared with evidence such as photos, receipts, and correspondence. The Board's administrative staff assists with the scheduling and procedural aspects but cannot provide legal advice.