Eviction Law in Montana

What Is an Eviction?

An eviction is the forceful exiting of tenants following an issued notice by the property owner or landlord. Evictions usually come as a result of failure to pay rent, or from violations of the lease agreement. However, evicting a problem tenant can be a long and costly experience as landlord-tenant laws favor tenants. Getting a better understanding of Montana eviction law can help.

Even though eviction notices happen as a result of serious problems with the tenant, not all eviction notices lead to an actual eviction. Oftentimes, eviction notices serve as a final warning for the tenant. If the tenant can then pay rent, or begin to follow the lease agreement, they may avoid eviction.

When Can Landlords Send a Termination Notice?

The Tenant Doesn’t Pay Rent

If a delinquent Montana tenant frequently pays rent late, or has not paid rent at all, there is a good reason for eviction. Some states do have a grace period for an occasional late payment. However, if a tenant makes a habit of always paying late, that grace period does not apply and the property owner can provide an eviction notice.

In Montana, there is no legal grace period for late fees. This means landlords can start charging late fees if rent is not paid on the due date. However, Montana eviction law provides for a three day-grace period for paying rent before the landlord can start the eviction process.

You should always provide your tenant with “late rent” notices and keep a copy for yourself in your files. That way, if the eviction case goes to court, you have paper evidence of their failure to pay rent on time.

The Tenant Violates the Terms or Conditions of the Lease Agreement

Lease agreements are legal contracts. This means if your tenant violates the contract in any way, it can be grounds for eviction. For example, if your lease agreement says that your tenant cannot have an additional person living in the unit, and they violate this rule, you can begin the eviction notice process.

The lease agreement is also legally binding for the landlord. This means that any Montana landlord must also follow the rules laid out in the agreement, such as making repairs, and performing maintenance written into the lease.

The Tenant Damages the Property

Tenants are going to cause damage to the property; it’s unavoidable. Wear and tear when living in a home is normal. Still, there’s a difference between scratches on the wall or broken blinds, and intentional destruction of property.

If it’s clear that your tenant is doing severe damage to your property, such as breaking through walls or smashing windows, this may be cause for eviction. However, if your tenant makes repairs themselves, and doesn’t make any major changes to the property, this might not be grounds for eviction.

The Tenant Uses the Property for Illegal Purposes

If your tenant is using your Montana property for illegal purposes, such as selling drugs or weapons, this can be clear grounds for eviction. Reporting the issue might also bring criminal charges against the tenant.

However, you should prepare to provide evidence that the tenant is using the property for illegal purposes. If law enforcement came to the property to address these issues at any time, these reports can prove helpful.

How to Evict a Tenant in Montana

If you want to evict a tenant for any reason, then you need to understand the eviction process. Here’s how it works.

Step 1. Check Montana Eviction Law

Eviction laws are different in each state and can also vary at the city level. Therefore, it’s important to familiarize yourself with local laws before taking any action. Always ensure you have a legally valid reason for an eviction before giving notice. A qualified Montana attorney can help review your case to determine if you do.

Tenants in Montana enjoy the protection of Montana’s Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. For example, a landlord cannot knowingly allow criminal or gang-related activity on the premises that might create damage or injury to any tenant. As well, the landlord must supply running water and reasonable amounts of hot water at all times. The landlord must also provide reasonable heat between October 1 and May 1. Furthermore, the landlord must make emergency repairs within three working days of written notice from the tenant.

Step 2. Give a Formal Notice of Eviction

If you have tried to reason with your tenants and they continue to violate the terms of your lease, you should then provide them with a formal notice of eviction. Your eviction notice will serve as an ultimatum or final warning. It should explain how your tenant is in violation, as well as what they can do to stop the eviction process.

The eviction notice should include a deadline for the tenant to either pay rent or move out, and the amount the tenant owes. If you’re unsure of how to create an eviction notice, you can use online templates or seek legal advice.

According to the Montana Attorney General, a landlord may generally terminate a rental agreement with 14 days’ notice to the tenant. However, the landlord only needs to give 3 days’ notice under certain circumstances, including unpaid rent or an unauthorized pet or tenant. The Landlord must send the tenant a Notice to Vacate. The landlord can either hand deliver or mail the Notice. Keep in mind that Montana eviction law does not allow a landlord to tape the Notice to the door of the rental. If the tenant refuses to cure the debt or vacate, the landlord can sue for possession of the rental.

Step 3. File the Eviction with the Court

You must file the eviction notice with the court within a few days. The court will then set a hearing date and will notify the tenant of the hearing by a summons.In Montana, Courts of Limited Jurisdiction handle eviction cases. Specifically, the Justice Court in the County where the property is located has jurisdiction over landlord/tenant disputes.

Step 4. Contact an Experienced Montana Eviction Attorney and Prepare for the Hearing

You should find an attorney as soon as possible to help you prepare for the hearing. Then, when you go to the hearing, you should bring the following documents:

Lease agreements
Records of payments
Bounced checks
Record of communication between you and the tenant
Record of the eviction notice
Proof that the tenant received the notice

Step 5. Evict the Tenant

If you’ve won the hearing, your tenant will have time to move out of your property. The amount of time allowed is dependent on the state, but it typically ranges from 48 hours to one week. If the tenant refuses to leave, you can contact Montana law enforcement to forcibly remove them from the property.

Step 6. Collect Past-Due Rent Payments

If your tenant owes you rent money, you may still have a long fight ahead to collect past-due payments. You can try to collect these payments through a number of methods:

Hiring a private debt collector
Garnishing their tax refunds
Garnishing their wages
Taking the case to small claims court

Work with an Experienced Eviction Attorney in Montana

The tenant will likely try to argue that you did not follow proper procedures for providing an eviction notice. Having a qualified Montana attorney on your side can take the pressure off your back, and help ensure a victory in court. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Montana state lines.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!

There are still other areas of law in Montana that could affect your case. Check out more details on the other articles on our site.