70-24-405. Failure of landlord to deliver possession -- tenant's remedies. (1) If the landlord fails to deliver possession of the dwelling unit to the tenant as provided in 70-24-302, rent abates until possession is delivered and the tenant may:
(a) terminate the rental agreement upon at least 5 days' written notice to the landlord, and upon termination, the landlord shall return all prepaid rent and security; or
(b) demand performance of the rental agreement by the landlord and, if the tenant elects, maintain an action for possession of the dwelling unit against the landlord or a person wrongfully in possession and recover the actual damages sustained by the tenant.
(2) If a person's failure to deliver possession is purposeful and not in good faith, an aggrieved party may recover from that person an amount not more than 3 months' periodic rent or treble damages, whichever is greater.
History: En. 42-427 by Sec. 27, Ch. 313, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 42-427; amd. Sec. 2177, Ch. 56, L. 2009.
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