Butte is a historic mining city in Silver Bow County — Butte-Silver Bow is a consolidated city-county government. Once one of the most populous cities in the American West, Butte today has a smaller but close-knit community with a strong sense of identity. Montana has no rent control law and no city has enacted a rent stabilization ordinance. Butte-Silver Bow has no additional local tenant protections. Montana's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (MCA § 70-24-101 et seq.) governs the landlord-tenant relationship in Butte.
Butte has no rent control. Montana has no statewide rent control statute, and no city in the state may enact a rent stabilization ordinance: MCA § 7-1-111(26) (added by 2023 HB 463) denies local governments any power to control the amount of rent charged for private residential or commercial property. Butte-Silver Bow has no rent control measures. Landlords in Butte may raise rents at lease renewal by any amount. Month-to-month tenants are entitled to at least 30 days' written notice before the landlord can terminate the tenancy (MCA § 70-24-441).
Montana's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act provides meaningful protections for Butte renters. Landlords must maintain the premises in a habitable condition under MCA § 70-24-303 — functioning heat (critical in Montana's harsh winters), plumbing, and structural soundness. If your landlord fails to make essential repairs after written notice, they have 14 days for non-emergency issues before you can pursue remedies. Montana allows repair-and-deduct up to $300 or half a month's rent. Montana prohibits landlord retaliation against tenants who report code violations or exercise legal rights (MCA § 70-24-431). Self-help eviction is illegal — landlords who change locks or shut off utilities may be liable for actual damages (MCA § 70-24-411).
Montana has a two-tiered deposit return deadline: if no deductions are made, the deposit must be returned within 10 days of move-out; if deductions are made, the landlord has 30 days and must provide an itemized written statement (MCA § 70-25-202). If your landlord wrongfully withholds your deposit, you may recover the amount wrongfully withheld, and the court may award the prevailing party reasonable attorney fees (MCA § 70-25-204). Document your unit at move-in and move-out with photos and provide your forwarding address in writing when you vacate.
To evict a Butte tenant, the landlord must serve proper written notice and file with the Butte-Silver Bow Justice Court or District Court for a judgment. Month-to-month tenants must receive at least 30 days' written notice before the tenancy ends (MCA § 70-24-441). For nonpayment of rent, landlords serve a 3-day notice to pay or vacate. Self-help eviction — changing locks, removing belongings, or interrupting utilities — is illegal under MCA § 70-24-411. You have the right to respond and appear at your eviction hearing.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change — verify current statutes and consult a licensed Montana attorney for advice specific to your situation.
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