Landlord Tenant Law

Disputes between landlords and tenants are commonplace. It is important for landlords and tenants to be aware of their rights and responsibilities under the law so they can prevent future disputes, minimize liability, and protect the interests of both parties. Failure to recognize responsibilities under the law can lead to misunderstanding and frustration.

A great place to start at the state level is Montana’s Landlord and Tenant Act. This act lists rights and responsibilities under the law, including but not limited to requirements for rental agreements, required disclosures, required notices, return of security deposits, eviction and termination, access to property, right to enter, non-retaliation, property maintenance, and remedies upon breach by a party.

Landlord-tenant law can be confusing and complex. Consulting one of Luebeck, Hammar, McCarty & Goldwarg’s landlord-tenant attorneys can take the guesswork out of renting your property and save you time and money down the line. Some areas that landlords may benefit from a lawyer’s expertise include:

• Preparing rental or lease agreements
• Evicting a tenant
• Lawsuits for discrimination or failure to maintain property
• Understanding and interpreting landlord-tenant laws at the local and state level
• Security Deposit disputes

We recommend putting all terms and expectations into writing and keeping copies in a safe place to avoid any confusion later on. It is always a good idea to date all written records; this way, if a dispute does go to court, you will have physical evidence to support your position. Verbal rental agreements for short-term tenancy are legally an option, but they will provide little support in the case of a dispute. It is much safer to consult a landlord-tenant attorney to ensure that you have the proper rental agreement.

If you are a landlord or tenant you can benefit from the guidance of an attorney in these matters. Contact our landlord-tenant attorneys at Luebeck, Hammar, McCarty & Goldwarg in Bozeman, MT for a consultation today. We are equipped with the expertise to prevent or resolve any conflicts that may arise.