70-24-411. Unlawful ouster, exclusion, or diminution of service -- tenant's remedies. If a landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant from the premises or purposefully diminishes services to the tenant by interrupting or causing the interruption of heat, running water, hot water, electricity, gas, or other essential services, the tenant may recover possession or terminate the rental agreement and, in either case, recover an amount not more than 3 months' periodic rent or treble damages, whichever is greater. If the rental agreement is terminated, the landlord shall return all security recoverable pursuant to chapter 25 of this title and all prepaid rent.
History: En. 42-432 by Sec. 32, Ch. 313, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 42-432.
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