Montana Landlord Responsibility Statement

Effective Date: November 1, 2025
Jurisdiction: State of Montana
Applies To: All landlords, property managers, agents and listing entities using Tentunit to list residential rental properties (including student-housing, young-professional and conventional rentals) in Montana.

1. Purpose

This Statement defines the operational, legal and ethical obligations that landlords must meet when listing properties via Tentunit in Montana. Use of the Tentunit platform constitutes the landlord’s acceptance of: this Statement, Tentunit’s Terms of Service and Payment Terms, Fair Housing & Equal Access Policy, and all applicable federal, state and local laws. This document is not legal advice; landlords should consult qualified counsel for full compliance.

2. Listing Accuracy, Transparency & Advertising Standards

Landlords must ensure all listings are truthful, up-to-date, and reflect with accuracy the unit and terms offered.

Required Disclosures

Each listing must clearly disclose:

Monthly rent amount, lease term (start/end or renewal/notice), and earliest availability date.
All one-time and recurring fees: application/processing fee, move-in or administrative fees, parking/amenity fees, pet fees/deposits, utility re-billing/allocations and any other mandatory charges.
Security deposit amount (or fee-in-lieu if applicable) and full disclosure of return conditions, deduction policy and timeframe.
Utility responsibilities: which utilities the tenant pays, which landlord pays; method of allocation or sub-metering if used.
Unit condition and amenities: photographs must represent the actual unit being offered, not a model unit unless clearly disclosed.
Screening criteria: income threshold, credit/rental history requirement, guarantor/co-signer policy, student status or age eligibility if applicable.
Availability: The listing must represent a unit genuinely available for lease; if status changes to leased, held or otherwise unavailable, the listing must be promptly updated or removed.

Prohibited Practices

Advertising units that are not genuinely available or failing to update availability status in timely fashion.
Misrepresenting size (bedrooms/bathrooms), finishes, condition, view, amenities or location.
Using “starting at” or “from” pricing without clear disclosure of eligibility, timing and unit availability.
Omitting material fees or hiding costs such that a reasonable renter is misled about the total cost.
“Bait-and-switch”: Advertising one unit/terms and offering materially different one without disclosure.

Legal/Regulatory Context

Montana law under the Montana Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Mont. Code Ann. §§ 70-24-101 et seq.) and the Montana Residential Tenants’ Security Deposits Act (Mont. Code Ann. §§ 70-25-101 et seq.) govern key obligations including deposits, return timing and tenant rights. Landlords must also adhere to federal advertising/truth-in-advertising and fair housing standards.

3. Fair Housing & Equal Access

Landlords must comply with:

The federal Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq.).
Applicable Montana human rights and non-discrimination laws (e.g., Mont. Code § 49-2-301) and any local ordinances.
Landlords must:
Apply neutral, consistently enforced screening criteria to all applicants regardless of protected classes (race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, familial status).
Provide reasonable accommodations or modifications for persons with disabilities when required by law.
Avoid discriminatory language in advertising, screening, communications or leasing decisions.
Maintain documentation of screening criteria, decisions and accommodation requests.

4. Communication Standards & Platform Responsiveness

To support Tentunit’s student/young-professional rental segment and maintain platform credibility, landlords must commit to timely, documented communication:

Acknowledge listing inquiries, application submissions, maintenance/repair requests via Tentunit (or another documented channel) within 24 hours, and provide a substantive follow-up within 48 hours.
Keep applicants informed of application status (approved, denied, wait-list) and keep tenants informed about scheduled entries, inspections, maintenance or changes in terms/policies.
Keep listing information current: if rent, fees, availability, amenities or policies change, update listing promptly.
Communicate professionally, respectfully and nondiscriminatory. Repeated failures to respond or abusive/discriminatory conduct may result in listing suspension or account termination by Tentunit.

5. Lease Execution, Legal Compliance & Contract Terms

All leases executed via Tentunit for Montana properties must comply with state law and reflect best-practice standards.

Required Lease Elements & Obligations

Use a written lease (or properly documented digital equivalent). While Montana law does allow oral agreements in certain cases, for platform integrity a written lease is strongly recommended.
Lease must identify the full legal name and address of the landlord/agent for notices and service of process (Mont. Code § 70-24-301).
Lease must clearly state: rent amount and due date; lease term (fixed or periodic); renewal/termination mechanics; security deposit amount and handling; all recurring/one-time fees; utility responsibilities; screening criteria; student/young‐professional relevant terms (roommates, sub-letting, early termination) if applicable.
Include required disclosures: e.g., federal Lead-Based Paint hazard disclosure for pre-1978 buildings; any state/local required disclosures.
Lease must not include provisions that waive tenant’s statutory rights or allow unlawful self-help eviction methods (lock-outs, utility shut-off). Montana law prohibits landlord self-help evictions.
Termination/notice provisions must align with Montana law: e.g., for month-to-month periodic tenancy landlord must give 30-day written notice (§ 70-24-441).

6. Habitability, Maintenance & Repair Obligations

Landlords must deliver and maintain rental premises in a safe, habitable, clean and code-compliant condition in accordance with Montana law and best-practice standards.

Key obligations include:

Maintain structural integrity: roof, walls, floors, windows/doors, stairways/porches, handrails in safe usable condition.
Provide and maintain functioning utilities/systems if specified in lease or required by code: plumbing, electrical, sanitation, heating/cooling as applicable, secure locks and egress.
Respond in a reasonable timeframe to tenant-reported conditions materially affecting health or safety. While Montana law doesn’t prescribe a single timeframe for all repairs, the tenant remedies (repair & deduct, termination) apply.
Maintain documentation: repair request date/time, vendor/work order/completion date/time, tenant notifications and photographic evidence.
Landlord must not retaliate against tenant for exercising rights (repair requests, complaint to authority).

7. Entry, Inspections & Tenant Privacy

Landlords must respect tenant’s right to quiet enjoyment and ensure access/inspections are conducted lawfully and documented.

Montana law requires at least 24-hours’ notice for non-emergency entry and entry must be at reasonable times. (§ 70-24-312)
Entry permitted for legitimate purposes: repairs, inspections, showing unit to prospective tenants/purchasers, agreed improvements or as provided in lease.
Landlord should document: notice sent (date/time), actual entry (date/time), purpose, who attended, condition observed and photographs if applicable.
For move-out inspections: Offer tenant a walk-through when requested, use a condition checklist and timestamped photographs to support deposit return or dispute resolution.

8. Security Deposit Handling & Administration

Montana law under the Residential Tenants’ Security Deposits Act (Mont. Code Ann. §§ 70-25-101 et seq.) governs deposits.

Key Rules

Maximum deposit amount: Montana statute imposes no cap on the amount a landlord may collect as a deposit.
Inspection prior to termination: At the request of either party the premises may be inspected within one week prior to termination of the tenancy. (§ 70-25-201(2))
Return timeframe & itemized list:
- If no deductions are made, the landlord must return the full deposit within 10 days after tenancy ends. (§ 70-25-202(1)(b))
- If deductions are made, the landlord must provide a written list of deductions and return the remaining balance within 30 days after tenancy ends. (§ 70-25-202(1)(a))
Allowable deductions: The landlord may deduct unpaid rent/utility charges, damages beyond normal wear and tear, actual cleaning costs (after written notice to tenant, tenant allowed 24 hours to correct) and other money owing under lease. (§ 70-25-201(1))
Wrongful withholding: If landlord fails to comply with deposit return/notice rules, tenant may recover the full deposit plus damages as specified (§ 70-25-204).

Tentunit Requirements for Landlords

Use a move-in condition checklist, signed by landlord and tenant, with date-stamped photographs and tenant acknowledgement.
Clearly disclose in listing and lease: deposit amount, conditions for deductions, timeframe for return, tenant forwarding address requirement.
Maintain full ledger: deposit collected date/amount, notice given, forwarding address, itemised deduction list, refund date and proof of mailing/transfer.
Ensure deposit is processed and returned in compliance: if no deductions, return within 10 days; if deductions, provide itemised list and return balance within 30 days.
Avoid language or practice attempting to treat deposit as non-refundable or waive tenant rights to itemised list or timely return.
If property ownership changes during tenancy, ensure deposit handling/tracking is addressed and tenant notified of transferee (best-practice).

9. Student-Housing & Young-Professional Specific Standards

Because Tentunit is oriented toward the student and young-professional rental market, landlords must adopt elevated standards:

In listings clearly disclose: proximity to campus/university, public transit/parking policy or costs, sub-letting policy/early‐termination provisions, renewal/non-renewal process.
Provide digital onboarding materials tailored for younger renters: move-in guide, utility setup instructions, campus area orientation, roommate/shared-housing rules if applicable.
Avoid predatory practices targeted at students/young professionals (excessive non-refundable fees, ambiguous early termination clauses, forced guarantor without alternative).
Maintain accessible communication channels for younger demographic: mobile/app messaging, after-hours support, clear roommate/house-rule expectations.
House-rules (cleaning shared spaces, noise/guest policy, roommate obligations) must align with statutory rights and lease terms; clearly disclosed and enforced consistently and fairly.

10. Documentation, Audit, Compliance & Platform Enforcement

Landlords must maintain institutional-level documentation; Tentunit retains strong enforcement rights.

Record-Keeping Requirements

For each unit/tenancy, landlords must maintain:

Listing metadata: upload date, photo version history, fee schedule changes, availability updates.
Screening/application logs: inquiry date/time, screening criteria applied, applications received, approvals/denials, communications.
Executed lease file: signed lease (digital or paper), any amendments/renewals, disclosures, guarantor/co-signer documentation if applicable.
Maintenance/repair logs: tenant request date/time, vendor/work-order number, completion date/time, tenant notifications, before/after photos.
Entry/inspection logs: notice sent date/time, actual entry date/time, purpose of entry, persons present, condition observed, photographs.
Security deposit records: deposit amount/date collected; forwarding address documentation; itemised deduction list; refund date/proof of mailing/transfer.
Communication logs: listing inquiries, application status updates, maintenance scheduling, entry or inspection notices, lease renewal/termination communications – via Tentunit portal or other documented channel.

Enforcement Rights of Tentunit

Tentunit may:

Audit landlord compliance (listing practices, lease documentation, maintenance/entry logs, deposit handling) at any time without prior notice.
Suspend or remove listings for material or repeated non-compliance with this Statement, Tentunit policies or Montana/federal law.
Freeze or withhold landlord payouts tied to units flagged for unresolved compliance issues (e.g., deposit disputes, habitability complaints).
Terminate landlord’s platform account permanently for serious or repeated violations.
Report non-compliance or unlawful conduct to state or local regulatory agencies (e.g., Montana Attorney General Consumer Protection) when applicable.
Seek recovery of damages, attorney’s fees and enforcement costs caused by landlord non-compliance.

11. Indemnification

Landlord shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless Tentunit, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents and contractors from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to:

Landlord’s breach of this Statement or any Tentunit policy.
Landlord’s violation of federal, state or local housing or landlord-tenant laws/regulations.
Landlord’s mis-representation of listing, unit condition, availability, terms or fees.
Tenant claims or disputes arising from landlord’s acts or omissions.
Platform investigations or regulatory enforcement triggered by landlord non-compliance.

12. Governing Law & Reference Statutes

Montana Statutory & Reference Materials

Mont. Code Ann. § 70-25-201 – Security deposit; deductions authorized. Montana State Legislature+1
Mont. Code Ann. § 70-25-202 – List of damages and refund-timing rules. Montana State Legislature+1
Mont. Code Ann. § 70-24-301 – Disclosure of landlord/agent name/address. Nolo
Overview of Montana landlord‐tenant laws & tenant remedies – Nolo summary. Nolo+1

Federal Law Foundations

Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq.)
Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (units built before 1978)
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) for eligible tenants