Last updated: April 2026
Havre is Hill County's seat and a hub for north-central Montana, and its renters rely on Montana's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (MCA § 70-24-101) for core housing protections. This guide explains what the law actually requires — in plain language.
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Havre is the largest city in north-central Montana, home to roughly 9,500 residents and serving as a regional center for agriculture, railroads, and Montana State University–Northern. Its rental market is shaped by a mix of students, agricultural workers, and long-term residents, all of whom rely on Montana's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (MCA §§ 70-24-101 et seq.) for housing protections. Havre has enacted no local ordinances supplementing state law.
Montana's landlord-tenant framework includes repair-and-deduct remedies, specific deposit return timelines, anti-retaliation protections, and explicit prohibitions on self-help eviction — providing a meaningful baseline for tenants even in smaller rural markets like Havre. Understanding these protections before signing a lease is the most effective step any renter can take.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and local regulations change — always verify current rules with a licensed Montana attorney or a free legal aid provider such as Montana Legal Services Association.
Havre has no rent control ordinance, and no Montana city has enacted one. Montana's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (MCA § 70-24-101) contains no limits on rent increases, and Montana has no statewide rent stabilization law. No city in Montana has passed a local rent control ordinance.
In practice, a landlord in Havre can raise rent by any amount at any time, provided they give the required advance written notice. For a month-to-month tenant, that notice is at least 30 days under MCA § 70-24-441. There is no cap, no formula, and no local board to petition. Tenants who receive a rent increase have two realistic options: accept the new rent or provide their own 30-day written notice to vacate.
Tenants in fixed-term leases are protected for the duration of the lease — the landlord cannot raise rent mid-lease unless the lease itself expressly permits it. At renewal, the landlord may offer a new lease at any rent they choose.
Montana law provides meaningful protections for Havre renters under the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (MCA §§ 70-24-101 et seq.).
Habitability (MCA § 70-24-303): Landlords must maintain rental units in a habitable condition, including functional plumbing, heating, electrical systems, and structural safety. After a tenant provides written notice of a repair need, the landlord generally has 14 days to make non-emergency repairs.
Repair-and-Deduct Remedy (MCA § 70-24-406): If a landlord fails to make required repairs within the statutory timeframe after written notice, a tenant may arrange for repairs and deduct the cost from rent — up to $300 or one-half of one month's rent, whichever is greater. The tenant may alternatively terminate the lease and vacate. Consult Montana Legal Services Association before exercising this remedy.
Security Deposit Rules (MCA § 70-25-202): Landlords must return the deposit within 10 days (no deductions) or 30 days (with itemized statement). Wrongful withholding entitles the tenant to the withheld amount plus $100 or 25% of the monthly rent in additional damages, whichever is greater.
Notice to Terminate (MCA § 70-24-441): To end a month-to-month tenancy, the landlord must provide at least 30 days' written notice. Failure to provide proper written notice invalidates a subsequent eviction proceeding.
Anti-Retaliation Protection (MCA § 70-24-431): Landlords cannot raise rent, reduce services, or initiate eviction in retaliation for tenants reporting housing code violations or exercising legal rights.
Prohibition on Self-Help Eviction (MCA § 70-24-411): Landlords are prohibited from changing locks, shutting off utilities, or removing a tenant's belongings without a court order. A landlord who violates this provision may be liable for actual damages.
Security deposit rules in Havre are governed by MCA § 70-25-202. Every Havre renter should know these key protections.
No Statutory Cap: Montana law does not cap the dollar amount a landlord may collect as a security deposit. However, any amount collected is subject to strict return requirements.
Return Deadline: The landlord must return your deposit within 10 days if they make no deductions, or within 30 days if they make deductions, along with a written itemized statement of those deductions for damages beyond normal wear and tear.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If the landlord wrongfully withholds any portion of your deposit, you are entitled to the withheld amount plus additional damages of $100 or 25% of the monthly rent, whichever is greater (MCA § 70-25-202(3)). Protect your claim by documenting the unit's condition with dated photos and video at both move-in and move-out, and provide your forwarding address in writing when you vacate.
Havre landlords must follow the formal eviction process established under Montana law. Self-help eviction — including changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities without a court order — is illegal under MCA § 70-24-411.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must serve written notice. For nonpayment of rent, a 3-day notice to pay or quit is required (MCA § 70-24-422). To terminate a month-to-month tenancy without cause, the landlord must give 30 days' written notice (MCA § 70-24-441). For other lease violations, a 14-day notice to cure is typically required.
Step 2 — Justice Court Filing: If the tenant does not vacate or cure within the notice period, the landlord may file an eviction action in Hill County Justice Court.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: The court will schedule a hearing. Tenants may raise defenses including improper notice, rent payment, retaliation (MCA § 70-24-431), or habitability issues.
Step 4 — Removal: If the court rules in the landlord's favor, only a court-authorized officer may physically remove the tenant. The landlord has no authority to do so unilaterally.
No. Havre has no rent control ordinance, and no Montana city has enacted one. Montana's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (MCA § 70-24-101) contains no limits on rent increases. Landlords may raise rent by any amount with proper advance written notice.
There is no legal cap on rent increases in Havre or anywhere in Montana. For a month-to-month tenancy, your landlord must give you at least 30 days' written notice before a rent increase takes effect (MCA § 70-24-441). If you have a fixed-term lease, your landlord cannot raise the rent during the lease term unless the lease explicitly permits it.
Your landlord must return your security deposit within 10 days (if no deductions) or 30 days (with an itemized statement of deductions) after your tenancy ends (MCA § 70-25-202). If your landlord wrongfully withholds any portion, you are entitled to the withheld amount plus additional damages of $100 or 25% of the monthly rent, whichever is greater. Always provide your forwarding address in writing when you move out.
For nonpayment of rent, your landlord must provide a 3-day notice to pay or quit (MCA § 70-24-422). To terminate a month-to-month tenancy without cause, the landlord must give at least 30 days' written notice (MCA § 70-24-441). After the notice period, the landlord must file in Hill County Justice Court and obtain a court order before you can be removed.
No. Under MCA § 70-24-411, landlords are prohibited from changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities as a means of forcing a tenant out without a court order. These self-help eviction tactics are illegal regardless of whether you owe rent, and a landlord who violates this law may be liable for actual damages.
Montana law requires landlords to maintain habitable conditions (MCA § 70-24-303). After written notice, your landlord generally has 14 days to make non-emergency repairs. If the landlord does not act, you may arrange repairs and deduct the cost from rent — up to $300 or half one month's rent — under MCA § 70-24-406, or you may terminate the lease. File a complaint with Havre city code enforcement for an official inspection. Consult Montana Legal Services Association before exercising repair-and-deduct remedies.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information presented reflects laws and regulations as of April 2026, but landlord-tenant law can change through legislation, court decisions, or local ordinance. Every tenant's situation is different — for advice specific to your circumstances, consult a licensed Montana attorney or contact a free legal aid organization such as Montana Legal Services Association (montanalegalservices.com). RentCheckMe makes no representations regarding the completeness, accuracy, or applicability of this information to any individual case.
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