Housing (Tenant Rights)

died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 1877: Regulatory reform for creation of mobile home parks

LC 1877, titled "Regulatory reform for creation of mobile home parks," was a draft bill intended to change regulations governing the establishment of mobile home parks. The bill was assigned to a drafter in November 2024 but died in the legislative process by May 2025, meaning it never advanced beyond the drafting stage. No specific regulatory changes or provisions were established, as the draft did not reach committee review or a vote. Consequently, the bill had no effect on current regulations or mobile home park development policies.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill title and summary indicate intent to reform regulations for mobile home park creation, a form of affordable housing, suggesting support for housing development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Tenant Rights

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 1920: Provide for pet-friendly accommodation, including municipal and county laws

This bill (LC 1920) proposed requiring municipalities and counties to allow pet-friendly accommodations in local housing regulations. It would have directly affected local governments by mandating they update ordinances to permit pets in rental properties, rather than banning them. The bill died in the legislative process on May 27, 2025, and never became law.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires local governments to permit pets in rentals, strengthening tenant rights by preventing arbitrary pet bans in housing regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights Tags Local Government

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 3247: Generally revise mobile home lot rental laws

This bill (LC 3247) would have revised laws governing mobile home lot rentals, directly affecting mobile home residents and lot owners. It aimed to update regulations around lease terms, security deposits, and eviction procedures for mobile home communities. However, the bill was assigned to a drafter in December 2024, placed on hold, and ultimately died in the legislative process on May 27, 2025, without becoming law. No specific provisions were enacted.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill aimed to update tenant protections for mobile home residents via lease terms, security deposits, and eviction procedures, directly aligning with tenant rights indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 1874: Revise shared equity housing program

LC 1874 proposed revisions to the state's shared equity housing program, which assists low-income families in purchasing homes while maintaining affordability through ownership shares. The bill aimed to update program rules but was never enacted, as it died in the legislative process after being placed on hold in December 2024. No specific policy changes were implemented, as the draft was abandoned before reaching a vote. The bill directly affected potential homebuyers in the shared equity program but never became law.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill aimed to revise shared equity program assisting low-income homebuyers, maintaining affordability through ownership shares. Intent was to strengthen affordable housing access by updating program rules.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Tenant Rights

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 776: Generally revise residential landlord and tenant laws

HB 776 aimed to generally revise laws governing residential landlord and tenant relationships. The bill would have required property management companies to provide 90 days' notice to tenants for any changes to or termination of a rental agreement, specifically for tenancies exceeding one year. It also proposed updates to various definitions relevant to landlord-tenant interactions, including "property management company" and "case of emergency." Additionally, it would have adjusted the notice requirements for extending written rental agreements.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires 90-day notice for lease changes/termination, strengthening tenant protections against sudden housing disruptions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 225: Provide income tax credit for renters

SB 225 would create a refundable income tax credit for Montana renters with household income under $45,000. The credit equals the lesser of 4% of rent paid above household income or $500, phasing out completely for incomes of $45,000 or more. It directly affects low-to-moderate-income renters who pay rent in Montana, providing a refund even if they owe no income tax. The bill also amends tax code sections to include this credit in regular review cycles and prohibits claiming it alongside the existing elderly property tax credit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides refundable tax credit for low-income renters ($45k income cap), directly reducing tax burden and increasing disposable income for housing costs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides refundable tax credit to low-income renters ($45k income cap), directly increasing housing affordability and reducing rent burden for vulnerable tenants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Credits Property Taxes Renters Tenant Rights

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 277: Require a minimum lease term for mobile home lot rentals

HB 277 would have required a minimum 3-year lease term for mobile home lot rentals in Montana, affecting mobile home park landlords and tenants. This default 3-year term could be waived by a tenant through a documented, informed request for a shorter term. The bill also mandated that landlords provide at least 180 days' written notice before terminating a lease. It further outlined monetary damages for parties who terminate a rental agreement without cause before its expiration.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires 3-year lease terms and 180-day notice, strengthening tenant protections against arbitrary eviction in mobile home parks.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 501: Establishing the Keep Montanans Housed Act

SB 501, the "Keep Montanans Housed Act," would require Montana landlords to offer tenants the first opportunity to purchase their rental property before selling to a third party. Landlords must provide tenants with a written offer at a price comparable to market value or appraised value within 45 days, allowing tenants to challenge the offer using their own appraiser at their expense. The bill would directly affect tenants in qualifying rental units and landlords seeking to sell or vacate properties for demolition, repurposing, or sale. However, the bill died in committee on May 23, 2025, and never became law, so these provisions remain inactive.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires landlords to offer tenants first right to purchase, strengthening tenant protections and preventing displacement in housing market95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 304: Revise security deposit laws to provide tenants more information and time

HB 304 revises residential tenant security deposit laws, directly affecting both landlords and tenants. The bill requires landlords to provide tenants with an itemized written notice of any unaccomplished cleaning and estimated costs before deducting cleaning charges from a security deposit. Tenants are then given 48 hours, extended from 24, to complete the necessary cleaning. Additionally, the bill prohibits landlords from charging a fee for inspecting the cleaning tenants have completed within this timeframe.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens tenant protections by requiring itemized cleaning notices and extending 48-hour window to address deductions, directly advancing tenant rights under housing topic.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 126: Revise tenant moveout laws

SB 126 would revise Montana's tenant moveout laws by clarifying what constitutes normal wear (like small nail holes or normal carpet wear), limiting landlords' cleaning charges to professional cleaner costs, and prohibiting deductions for carpeting or repainting after a 2-year tenancy. It requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of a professional cleaner's bill if used and shortens the timeline for refunding security deposits from 30 to 21 days after move-out. The bill also mandates written notice before imposing cleaning charges and restricts deductions to actual damages beyond normal wear. This directly affects tenants (who pay security deposits) and landlords (who manage those deposits).

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingStrengthens tenant protections by limiting unjustified deductions, requiring professional cleaner bills, and expediting security deposits - directly advancing housing affordability and tenant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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