Housing (Tenant Rights)

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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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 422: Allow covenants that provide housing affordability

HB 422 proposed to amend Montana's covenant laws to allow specific types of agreements aimed at encouraging workforce housing affordability. The bill would have permitted covenants that restrict the sale, lease, or an owner's share of equity appreciation on residential properties. These restrictions would apply to individuals with specific incomes or occupations. The intent was to ensure the long-term affordability and attainability of housing for the workforce by allowing these covenants to remain with the property through future ownership.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly allows covenants to ensure long-term affordability for workforce housing, directly increasing affordable housing availability.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly targets workforce housing affordability to ensure long-term housing access for workers, directly supporting employment stability and standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Tenant Rights

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signed · Montana · House May 5, 2025

HB 311: Require the refund of rental application fees

HB 311 requires landlords and property managers to refund residential rental application fees to applicants who do not ultimately sign a rental agreement. Landlords may deduct costs for specific services actually performed, such as a credit check, if the applicant was given written notice of these allocated costs when the fee was collected. However, they cannot retain fees for services not performed or for their own time. If an application fee is wrongfully withheld, an applicant can take civil action to recover the amount, with potential for attorney fees.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates refund of unperformed rental application fees, directly protecting tenants from financial burden and strengthening tenant rights per housing topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 306: Provide tax credit to landlords that rent for below market rate

HB 306 would have created an income tax credit for property owners, including individuals and corporations, who rent out dwellings in Montana for less than 110% of the fair market rent for their county. The credit amount would be $200 for each $100 difference between 110% of fair market rent and the actual monthly rent charged. To qualify, a dwelling would need a lease of at least one year and meet specific housing quality standards. This credit could be carried forward for up to three years if not fully utilized.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for landlords (primarily wealthy property owners), aligning with 'creates tax breaks primarily for wealthy' indicator per topic guidelines.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides tax credit to landlords for below-market rents, directly incentivizing affordable housing by reducing tenant costs through financial incentives to property owners.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 305: Establish the mobile home park dispute resolution program

HB 305 sought to establish the Montana Mobile Home Park Dispute Resolution Program, administered by the Department of Commerce, to help mobile home landlords and tenants resolve disputes. The program would provide educational materials on rights and responsibilities and allow either party to file complaints regarding alleged violations. The Department would investigate complaints, facilitate negotiations, and make determinations, with the power to impose remedies like fines or orders for rent refunds. The bill also required mobile home parks to register, pay fees to fund the program, and provide notice before a park's sale.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates dispute resolution program for mobile home park tenants, strengthening tenant protections in affordable housing through complaint mechanisms and remedies.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 873: Create a mobile home park emergency relocation account

HB 873 aimed to establish a Mobile Home Park Emergency Relocation Account. This account would provide financial assistance to mobile home owners who are required to move due to a change in use or redevelopment of their mobile home park. Eligible tenants could receive funds for relocation expenses, up to $10,000 for a single-section or $15,000 for a multi-section home, or an abandonment payment. The account would be funded by an annual assessment on mobile homes whose owners do not own the underlying land, along with other revenue, with the assessment waived if the account exceeds $1 million.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new tax assessment (revenue) to fund relocation assistance program (appropriations), explicitly addressing budget/tax mechanisms.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides relocation funds ($10k-$15k) to mobile home tenants displaced by park redevelopment, directly protecting tenant rights and preventing displacement in affordable housing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Taxes Tenant Rights

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signed · Montana · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 149: Revise emotional support animal laws

SB 149 revises laws regarding emotional support animals (ESAs) in housing, affecting tenants with disabilities and landlords. The bill allows landlords to request specific documentation from a licensed health care practitioner if a tenant's need for an ESA is not readily apparent. This documentation must come from a practitioner with an established client-provider relationship who has conducted a clinical evaluation and identified the specific therapeutic support the animal provides. The bill also clarifies that ESA registration cards alone are not sufficient proof and holds tenants liable for damages caused by their emotional support animals.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingAdds documentation requirements for ESAs, potentially restricting tenant access to housing accommodations under disability laws.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 421: Require the refund of certain residential lease application fees

SB 421 would require landlords to refund residential lease application fees within 20 days if a tenant does not sign a rental agreement. It directly affects tenants who pay application fees and landlords/managers who collect them. Key provisions include allowing landlords to deduct only verified out-of-pocket costs (like credit checks, capped at $25) for services actually performed, mandating written fee breakdowns at collection, and permitting tenants to sue for wrongful withholding with attorney fees. The bill aims to prevent landlords from keeping fees for unperformed services or vague charges. (Note: This bill died in process on May 23, 2025, per recent actions.)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires landlord refunds of application fees, caps costs, mandates written breakdowns, and enables tenant lawsuits - directly strengthens tenant protections in housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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