Housing (Tenant Rights)

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 17, 2025

LC 1921: Require the refund of certain residential lease application fees

This bill requires landlords and property managers in Montana to refund application fees within 20 days if a prospective tenant does not sign a lease agreement. Landlords may only retain fees to cover actual out-of-pocket costs like credit checks, which must be capped at $25 per service and provided to applicants within seven days. The law also mandates that landlords accept valid credit or background checks from the past six months and provides tenants with written itemization of how application fees are allocated. Applicants who believe fees were wrongfully withheld can sue for damages and potentially recover attorney fees, while the burden of proving services were rendered falls on the landlord.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill protects tenant rights by requiring refund of application fees and limiting landlord charges, reducing financial barriers to housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 14, 2025

LC 2003: Revise emotional support animal laws

This bill updates Montana laws governing emotional support animals in housing by clarifying documentation requirements for landlords and tenants. It requires landlords to request supporting information from qualified health care practitioners when a tenant's need for an emotional support animal is not obvious, while prohibiting requests for medical records or disability diagnoses. The legislation defines emotional support animals as animals providing therapeutic support without requiring specialized training, distinguishes them from service animals, and establishes liability for property damage caused by these animals. Landlords must receive written determinations from practitioners who have established a client relationship at least 30 days prior to providing documentation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patient rights by clarifying documentation requirements for emotional support animals, preventing unnecessary medical record requests while maintaining access to therapeutic support.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens tenant protections by clarifying ESA documentation requirements, preventing landlords from requesting medical records while allowing verification of legitimate needs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 15, 2025

LC 3177: Require a minimum lease term for mobile home lot rentals

This bill requires mobile home park lot rentals in Montana to have a minimum lease term of three years, with exceptions only if the tenant signs a documented waiver. It also mandates that landlords provide at least 180 days written notice before terminating a lease without cause. Additionally, the bill establishes monetary damages of up to one month's rent for either party who ends the lease early without cause. These changes aim to provide greater housing stability for mobile home residents and align state lease terms with federal housing program requirements.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens tenant protections by requiring minimum lease terms, limiting termination without cause, and establishing damages for early termination, directly supporting housing stability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 7, 2025

LC 880: Generally revise tenant landlord laws

This bill updates Montana's residential landlord-tenant laws to modernize how security deposits are handled and to allow for electronic communication and payments. It directly affects landlords and tenants by changing rules for cleaning charges, damage deductions, and the return of security deposits. Key provisions include allowing landlords to deduct reasonable cleaning labor costs, requiring written notice before charging for cleaning, and permitting landlords to send notices and refund deposits via email or electronic transfer. The bill also clarifies that landlords remain liable for returning deposits even if tenants fail to provide a new address, and it allows for immediate implementation upon passage.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill modernizes tenant-landlord laws to protect tenant rights regarding security deposits and cleaning charges, strengthening housing protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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died · Montana · Legislature May 20, 2025

LC 13: Generally revise laws relating to real property

This bill updates Montana's real property laws to clarify tenant rights and streamline land division rules. It allows tenants to remove trade/manufacture fixtures without damaging property and enables owners of fixed improvements (like homes) to resolve ownership disputes through court actions. The bill adds specific exemptions to subdivision review requirements, including court-ordered land divisions, mortgage-related lot creations, agricultural covenants, cemetery lots, and certain utility rights-of-way. It also requires courts to notify local governments before approving land divisions under new exemption rules.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingClarifies tenant rights by allowing fixture removal without damage, directly aligning with tenant protection indicators in housing policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mortgages Property Development Tenant Rights

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signed · Montana · House Jun 12, 2025

HB 810: Revise tenant landlord laws

HB 810 prohibits Montana landlords from charging extra fees based on how tenants pay rent (e.g., credit card or online payments), except to cover actual bank fees incurred for electronic payments. It defines "rent payment type" to include cash, checks, electronic methods, or other agreed-upon forms. The law directly affects all Montana tenants and landlords by standardizing payment terms in rental agreements. It amends existing tenant-landlord statutes to eliminate discriminatory fees while clarifying acceptable payment methods.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits discriminatory fees for rent payment methods, protecting tenants from added costs and strengthening tenant rights under landlord-tenant law.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

died · Montana · Legislature May 20, 2025

LC 2591: Provide abatements for affordable housing

This bill (LC 2591) allows Montana local governments to offer property tax abatements for specific types of affordable rental housing. It creates a 10-year phased tax reduction: qualifying housing gets full tax exemption in year one, with taxable value increasing by 11% annually until reaching 100% in year ten. The abatement applies to affordable multifamily housing (5+ units), smaller rentals (4 units or fewer), accessory dwelling units, and affordable trailer courts, all requiring rent to be ≤30% of tenant income (or ≤80% of market rent) for households earning 60-100% of area median income. The tax break covers only building improvements, not land value, and local governments must adopt the program via resolution.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax abatements for affordable housing, reducing tax burden on qualifying housing providers per bill's phased 10-year exemption.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides tax abatements to incentivize affordable housing development, directly advancing affordable housing policy through property tax reductions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Property Taxes Tenant Rights

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died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 3786: Establish a tenant bill of rights

LC 3786, titled "Establish a tenant bill of rights," was a proposed bill aiming to create standardized protections for renters. It would have directly affected residential tenants and landlords by outlining clear rights and responsibilities, such as notice requirements for rent increases and maintenance obligations. However, the bill never advanced beyond the drafting stage, as it "died in process" on May 23, 2025, after being assigned to a drafter in December 2024. No specific provisions were enacted, as the bill was not considered by any committee or voted on. The bill remains inactive with no further legislative action.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill proposes standardized tenant protections including rent increase notices and maintenance obligations, directly advancing tenant rights per its title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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died · Montana · Legislature May 26, 2025

LC 2508: Provide for refunds of residential lease application fees

Bill LC 2508 would require landlords to refund residential lease application fees paid by renters. The bill aimed to provide direct financial relief to renters who pay these fees but are not approved for housing. Introduced in late 2024, it died in committee on May 26, 2025, without becoming law. This procedural bill focused solely on refund mechanisms, not broader housing policy changes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires landlords to refund lease application fees to renters, directly protecting tenants from financial loss and strengthening tenant rights per housing topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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died · Montana · Legislature May 26, 2025

LC 1615: Generally revise renters rights laws

LC 1615, titled "Generally revise renters rights laws," was a proposed bill aimed at updating tenant protections. However, it died in the legislative process on May 26, 2025, after being assigned to a drafter in November 2024. The bill never advanced to a committee vote or floor consideration, so no specific provisions or policy changes were enacted. As it did not become law, it did not directly affect renters or landlords. This bill remains inactive and was never implemented.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly aimed to 'update tenant protections' (a key housing policy), indicating intent to strengthen tenant rights per its title and summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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