Housing (Tenant Rights)

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 · 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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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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