Vermont § 309 - § 2A—309.

Full text of Vermont Vermont Statutes Online § 309 — § 2A—309., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 309. § 2A—309.

  • Lessor’s and lessee’s rights when goods become fixtures (1) In this section: (a) goods are “fixtures” when they become so related to particular real estate that an
    interest in them arises under real estate law; (b) a “fixture filing” is the filing, in the office where a record of a mortgage on the
    real estate would be filed or recorded, of a financing statement covering goods that
    are or are to become fixtures and conforming to the requirements of section 9—502(a)
    and (b) of this title; (c) a lease is a “purchase money lease” unless the lessee has possession or use of the
    goods or the right to possession or use of the goods before the lease agreement is
    enforceable; (d) a mortgage is a “construction mortgage” to the extent it secures an obligation incurred
    for the construction of an improvement on land including the acquisition cost of the
    land, if the recorded writing so indicates; and (e) “encumbrance” includes real estate mortgages and other liens on real estate and all
    other rights in real estate that are not ownership interests. (2) Under this article a lease may be of goods that are fixtures or may continue in goods
    that become fixtures, but no lease exists under this article of ordinary building
    materials incorporated into an improvement on land. (3) This article does not prevent creation of a lease of fixtures pursuant to real estate
    law. (4) The perfected interest of a lessor of fixtures has priority over a conflicting interest
    of an encumbrancer or owner of the real estate if: (a) the lease is a purchase money lease, the conflicting interest of the encumbrancer
    or owner arises before the goods become fixtures, the interest of the lessor is perfected
    by a fixture filing before the goods become fixtures or within ten days thereafter,
    and the lessee has an interest of record in the real estate or is in possession of
    the real estate; or (b) the interest of the lessor is perfected by a fixture filing before the interest of
    the encumbrancer or owner is of record, the lessor’s interest has priority over any
    conflicting interest of a predecessor in title of the encumbrancer or owner, and the
    lessee has an interest of record in the real estate or is in possession of the real
    estate. (5) The interest of a lessor of fixtures, whether or not perfected, has priority over
    the conflicting interest of an encumbrancer or owner of the real estate if: (a) the fixtures are readily removable factory or office machines, readily removable equipment
    that is not primarily used or leased for use in the operation of the real estate,
    or readily removable replacements of domestic appliances that are goods subject to
    a consumer lease, and before the goods become fixtures the lease contract is enforceable;
    or (b) the conflicting interest is a lien on the real estate obtained by legal or equitable
    proceedings after the lease contract is enforceable; or (c) the encumbrancer or owner has consented in writing to the lease or has disclaimed
    an interest in the goods as fixtures; or (d) the lessee has a right to remove the goods as against the encumbrancer or owner. If
    the lessee’s right to remove terminates, the priority of the interest of the lessor
    continues for a reasonable time. (6) Notwithstanding paragraph (4)(a) of this section but otherwise subject to subsections
    (4) and (5) of this section, the interest of a lessor of fixtures, including the lessor’s
    residual interest, is subordinate to the conflicting interest of an encumbrancer of
    the real estate under a construction mortgage recorded before the goods become fixtures
    if the goods become fixtures before the completion of the construction. To the extent
    given to refinance a construction mortgage, the conflicting interest of an encumbrancer
    of the real estate under a mortgage has this priority to the same extent as the encumbrancer
    of the real estate under the construction mortgage. (7) In cases not within the preceding subsections, priority between the interest of a
    lessor of fixtures, including the lessor’s residual interest, and the conflicting
    interest of an encumbrancer or owner of the real estate who is not the lessee is determined
    by the priority rules governing conflicting interests in real estate. (8) If the interest of a lessor of fixtures, including the lessor’s residual interest,
    has priority over all conflicting interests of all owners and encumbrancers of the
    real estate, the lessor or the lessee may (i) on default, expiration, termination,
    or cancellation of the lease agreement but subject to agreement and this article,
    or (ii) if necessary to enforce other rights and remedies of the lessor or lessee
    under this article, remove the goods from the real estate, free and clear of all conflicting
    interests of all owners and encumbrancers of the real estate, but the lessor or lessee
    must reimburse any encumbrancer or owner of the real estate who is not the lessee
    and who has not otherwise agreed for the cost of repair of any physical injury, but
    not for any diminution in value of the real estate caused by the absence of the goods
    removed or by any necessity of replacing them. A person entitled to reimbursement
    may refuse permission to remove until the party seeking removal gives adequate security
    for the performance of this obligation. (9) Even though the lease agreement does not create a security interest, the interest
    of a lessor of fixtures, including the lessor’s residual interest, is perfected by
    filing a financing statement as a fixture filing for leased goods that are or are
    to become fixtures in accordance with the relevant provisions of the article on Secured
    Transactions (Article 9). (Added 1993, No. 158 (Adj. Sess.), § 10, eff. Jan. 1, 1995; amended 1999, No. 106 (Adj. Sess.), § 13, eff. July 1, 2001.)

Frequently Asked Questions About Vermont § 309

What does Vermont Statutes Online § 309 cover?

Section 309 ("§ 2A—309.") is part of the Vermont Statutes Online, the codified statutory law of Vermont. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Vermont § 309?

A common citation format is "Vermont Statutes Online § 309" (Vermont). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Vermont law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Vermont official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Vermont attorney.

How does Vermont § 309 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Vermont can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

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