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MontanaHB 81069th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Revise tenant landlord laws

Sponsored By: Mary Caferro (Democrat)

Became Law

Landlord and Tenant

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.

Early lease break costs capped at one month

If either side ends a lease early without cause, the other side can recover money. The amount is capped at one month’s rent or a smaller amount named in the lease. A landlord may also collect rent from a defaulting tenant until a new tenant starts or the original term ends.

Clear rules on when rent is due

Unless your lease says otherwise, rent for a term of a month or less is due at the start of the term. For longer stays, you pay equal monthly amounts at the start of each month. Rent is split by day for partial periods. If you pay weekly as a roomer, your tenancy is week‑to‑week; otherwise it is month‑to‑month.

Guest stays limited without landlord consent

A guest may stay for the time set in your lease. If your lease is silent, a guest can stay up to 7 days. Longer stays need your landlord’s written consent.

Renters get more payment options, no surcharges

You may pay rent at the landlord’s address or by electronic transfer to a named account. Your lease can set another lawful way to pay. Landlords cannot add fees based on how you pay. The only exception is an actual bank fee from an electronic payment. These rules apply to rentals and mobile‑home lots.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mary Caferro

    Democrat • House

Cosponsors

  • Cora Neumann

    Democrat • Senate

  • Daniel Zolnikov

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 459 • No: 33

House vote • 4/18/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 91 • No: 7

House vote • 4/17/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 4/12/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 38 • No: 12

House vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 33 • No: 14

House vote • 3/7/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 3/6/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 99 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    6/12/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    6/9/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    6/2/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    5/29/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    5/23/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/21/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/18/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by Senate

    4/18/2025House

  9. 2nd Reading Senate Amendments Concurred

    4/17/2025House

  10. Returned to House with Amendments

    4/12/2025Senate

  11. 3rd Reading Concurred

    4/12/2025Senate

  12. 2nd Reading Concurred

    4/11/2025Senate

  13. Committee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended

    4/10/2025Senate

  14. Committee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended

    4/10/2025Senate

  15. Hearing

    4/7/2025Senate

  16. Hearing

    4/6/2025Senate

  17. Hearing Canceled

    3/28/2025Senate

  18. Hearing

    3/25/2025Senate

  19. Referred to Committee

    3/19/2025Senate

  20. First Reading

    3/14/2025Senate

  21. Transmitted to Senate

    3/7/2025House

  22. 3rd Reading Passed

    3/7/2025House

  23. 2nd Reading Passed

    3/6/2025House

  24. Committee Report--Bill Passed

    3/4/2025House

  25. Committee Executive Action--Bill Passed

    3/4/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/21/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    4/10/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/26/2025

    PDF

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