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
Chapter 24. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act of 1977
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
70-24-423. 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
70-24-430. Disposition of personal property abandoned by tenant after termination
70-24-431. Retaliatory conduct by landlord prohibited
70-24-433. through 70-24-435 reserved
70-24-437. through 70-24-440 reserved