2022 Montana Code Annotated
Title 70. Property
Chapter 24. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act of 1977
Part 3. Rights and Duties of the Parties
70-24-312. Access to premises by landlord
70-24-312. Access to premises by landlord. (1) A tenant may not unreasonably withhold consent to the landlord or the landlord's agent to enter into the dwelling unit in order to inspect the premises, make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations, or improvements, supply necessary or agreed services, or exhibit the dwelling unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workers, or contractors.
(2) A landlord may enter the dwelling unit without consent of the tenant in the case of an emergency.
(3) (a) A landlord may not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant. Except in the case of an emergency or unless it is impracticable to do so, the landlord shall give the tenant at least 24 hours' notice of the intent to enter and may enter only at reasonable times.
(b) For the purposes of this subsection (3), in addition to the provisions of 70-24-108, a tenant has notice of the intent to enter if the landlord conspicuously posts the landlord's intent to enter on the main entry door of the dwelling unit.
(4) A landlord has no other right of access except:
(a) pursuant to court order;
(b) as permitted by 70-24-425 and 70-24-426(2); or
(c) when the tenant has abandoned or surrendered the premises.
(5) A tenant may not remove a lock or replace or add a lock not supplied by the landlord to the premises without the written permission of the landlord. If a tenant removes a lock or replaces or adds a lock not supplied by the landlord to the premises, the tenant shall provide the landlord with a key to ensure that the landlord will have the right of access as provided by this chapter.
History: En. 42-424 by Sec. 24, Ch. 313, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 42-424; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 222, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 2174, Ch. 56, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 536, L. 2021.
