What is required for a landlord to legally increase rent in Montana?

For a landlord to legally increase rent in Montana, providing written notice in accordance with what is typically stipulated in the lease agreement is essential. Montana law requires landlords to notify tenants in writing regarding any rent increase. This written notice allows the tenant to be fully informed and provides a formal record of the change.

The specifics of the notice can depend on whether the lease is month-to-month or for a longer term. For month-to-month tenancies, Montana law generally requires at least 30 days' written notice prior to the effective date of the increase. Such notice is important because it gives tenants time to prepare for the change, whether that involves budgeting for the new rent or considering their options if they choose not to accept the increase.

Verbal agreements or notifications via text message do not fulfill the legal requirements for notifying tenants about a rent increase, hence they are not considered valid forms of communication for this purpose. Additionally, there are indeed specific requirements that landlords must adhere to in order to lawfully increase rent, which is contrary to the notion that no specific requirements are needed.