Tenants’ advocates warn shortening eviction timelines would harm renters; landlords call for speedier process

Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity representatives told the House Devlin Finance committee on Feb. 5 that shortening eviction notice periods would likely increase homelessness and generate unintended defaults, particularly for low-income renters who need time to access legal aid and supports.

Jess Finan, associate director of CVOEO’s statewide housing-advocacy programs, said CVOEO opposes reducing eviction notice periods and supports rent-increase limits, just-cause eviction protections, a rental registry, tenant right to counsel and confidentiality for eviction records. She described the agency’s statewide hotline and counseling services and gave two hotline examples to illustrate the practical barriers tenants face when required to respond quickly in court: a nursing student who was seven days into a 21-day response window and a single mother in a rural area who had four…