Housing (Landlords)

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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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 · 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 · 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 · 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 · House May 20, 2025

HB 802: Revise zoning laws related to the rental of a primary residence

HB 802 aimed to revise Montana's zoning laws concerning the rental of primary residences. The bill stipulated that county and municipal zoning regulations could not prohibit the short-term rental of a property owner's primary residence, an accessory dwelling unit on the same parcel, or a residence on a neighboring lot. A "primary residence" was defined as a dwelling occupied by the owner for at least 183 days annually. This measure would have established these specific short-term rentals as permissible uses, limiting local government authority to ban them.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill permits short-term rentals of primary residences, increasing housing supply and development options under zoning laws, aligning with affordable housing advancement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Zoning

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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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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