Montana Code Annotated
Part 4. Remedies
70-24-404. Unconscionability -- court discretion to refuse enforcement

70-24-404. Unconscionability -- court discretion to refuse enforcement. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), if the court, as a matter of law, finds that:
(a) a rental agreement or any provision of the rental agreement is unconscionable, the court may refuse to enforce the agreement or enforce the remainder of the agreement without the unconscionable provision to avoid an unconscionable result; or
(b) a settlement in which a party waives or agrees to forego a claim or right under this chapter or under a rental agreement is unconscionable, the court may refuse to enforce the settlement, enforce the remainder of the settlement without the unconscionable provision, or limit the application of any unconscionable provision to avoid an unconscionable result.
(2) A finding pursuant to subsection (1) may not be made based on a responsibility outlined in a rental agreement that:
(a) a tenant maintain a dwelling unit in accordance with 70-24-321; or
(b) a landlord maintain the premises in accordance with 70-24-303.
(3) If unconscionability is put into issue by a party or by the court upon its own motion, the parties shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to present evidence as to the setting, purpose, and effect of the rental agreement or settlement to aid the court in making the determination.
History: En. 42-411 by Sec. 11, Ch. 313, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 42-411; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 236, L. 2021.

Structure Montana Code Annotated

Montana Code Annotated

Title 70. Property

Chapter 24. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act of 1977

Part 4. Remedies

70-24-401. Administration of remedies -- enforcement

70-24-402. Settlement of disputed claim or right

70-24-403. Prohibited provision in rental agreement -- unenforceability -- damages

70-24-404. Unconscionability -- court discretion to refuse enforcement

70-24-405. Failure of landlord to deliver possession -- tenant's remedies

70-24-406. Failure of landlord to maintain premises -- tenant's remedies

70-24-407. Damages for minor violations by landlord

70-24-408. Purposeful or negligent failure to provide essential services -- tenant's remedies

70-24-409. Fire or casualty damage -- rights of tenant

70-24-410. Unlawful or unreasonable entry by landlord -- tenant's remedies

70-24-411. Unlawful ouster, exclusion, or diminution of service -- tenant's remedies

70-24-412. through 70-24-420 reserved

70-24-421. Action for nonpayment of rent -- tenant's counterclaim

70-24-422. Noncompliance of tenant generally -- landlord's right of termination -- damages -- injunction

70-24-423. Waiver of landlord's right to terminate for breach

70-24-424. Refusal of access -- landlord's remedies

70-24-425. Failure of tenant to maintain dwelling -- landlord's right to enter and repair

70-24-426. Remedies for absence or abandonment

70-24-427. Landlord's remedies after termination -- action for possession

70-24-428. Landlord's recovery of possession limited

70-24-429. Holdover remedies -- consent to continued occupancy -- tenant's response to service in action for possession

70-24-430. Disposition of personal property abandoned by tenant after termination

70-24-431. Retaliatory conduct by landlord prohibited

70-24-432. Repealed

70-24-433. through 70-24-435 reserved

70-24-436. Repealed

70-24-437. through 70-24-440 reserved

70-24-441. Termination by landlord or tenant

70-24-442. Attorney fees -- costs