Standard Residential Lease

Complete manager and notice contacts and review applicable lead materials, known mold information and any required drug-contamination disclosure. Check the property's actual testing, remediation and disclosure records. The Montana disclosure guide identifies the distinctions to review before signing.

When a deposit is required, provide the separate, signed statement of present condition at lease signing or creation of the tenancy. Record furnishings, appliances, existing damage and promised repairs, with photographs as support. Identify what each payment secures; cleaning or damage charges may be treated as deposits despite their label.

Keep a forwarding address, payment records, inspection findings and supporting costs for deposit accounting. Review the ten-day return path when its no-deduction and paid-utility conditions are met, the usual thirty-day accounting path and applicable exceptions. Check required cleaning notices and the opportunity to clean before deducting charges, then retain the itemization, refund and delivery record.

Write clear rent and fee terms and review payment-method charges. Keep entry and emergency arrangements separate from rent changes, breach notices and ending a monthly tenancy. Check fixed-term extension language and required notices before assuming occupancy simply stops at the stated date. Use the Montana rental-law guide for repair remedies, protected rights and lawful possession procedures.

Keep a clear monthly tenancy record. Identify the first recurring period, rent due date and terms continuing from an earlier agreement. Check the lease’s continuation and ending provisions alongside the monthly notice guidance and applicable protections before selecting a final date. Retain the written notice and delivery record, then separately arrange keys, condition review, utility accounts and a forwarding address. Keep an ordinary monthly ending, a breach notice and any disputed possession issue as separate questions.

Write the proposed rent and starting period explicitly. State the new amount, first affected payment and delivery method. Review the agreement’s rent, change and renewal terms and the Montana rent-change guide before selecting the effective date. Allow advance written communication so the resident can consider the proposal; do not assume a notice alone changes agreed fixed-term rent. Check housing-program restrictions and prohibited retaliation or discrimination, and retain the proposal, response and any agreed amendment with the lease.

Define the room and shared responsibilities. Identify the private room, supplied furnishings, storage and parking, and list the common facilities available to the resident. Confirm the parties and any permission required under an existing lease. Put the rent contribution, utility allocation and payment dates in writing, including how shared bills are calculated. Keep any roommate cost-sharing arrangement consistent with the landlord's lease, and make the room and relevant shared areas clear in the separate condition statement and supporting photos.

Agree on household routines and private access. Discuss cleaning, guests, quiet hours, pets, shared supplies and repair contacts. Explain the purpose, notice and scheduling process for maintenance or inspection access to the private room, with emergencies addressed separately. Keep agreed rules and later changes with the signed packet. When a resident leaves or another person joins, review the required permissions, notice and deposit process before changing access, payment responsibilities or the household's records.