Skip to Navigation
Skip to Content

Accessible Navigation. Go to: Navigation Main Content Footer

You have the right to a safe rental!  That is one of the main obligations of your landlord.  

For duties of the landlord to provide a safe rental, refer to: 70-24-303

Have you asked the landlord to fix the problem?  It is always good to have evidence that you have asked the landlord.  If not, it will become a "he said, she said" situation.  Write a Certified Letter.  You can do this at UC Shipping Express.

Is there a property management company overseeing your rental?  If so, you may have the option to contact the owner of the property.  Check your lease BEFORE contacting the owner.  Some companies have a provision saying that you can not contact the owner.  

Go to the Missoula County Property Tax ID webpage to look up the owner of your home and their address.  Then, send them a copy of the letter you have sent to the property manager.  Most likely, they will want to know that the property management company they are paying to watch over their home is not doing their job. 

Would you like to move out of your rental because of these safety concerns?  

Step 1: It would be wise to get a third party (not affiliated with you) to provide evidence that there is a problem (see below for an inspection).  

Step 2: THEN you want to be able to prove that you have asked the landlord to fix the problem.  This can be done through a certified letter.  A Certificate of Mailing is available at the UC Shipping Express. 

Step 3: State in the letter statute 70-24-406.  Basically, you give the landlord 14 days to remedy the problem.  If on he doesn't fix the problem, you can give him a 30 days notice after the 14 days has passed.  (Refer to Legal Services BEFORE you start this process as breaking your lease is rarely a simple process!)

Get a free inspection!

The Renter Center and The City have teamed up to provide scholarships for a the Voluntary Residential Inspection Program (VRIP).  When you request a VRIP, the city inspector will come to your rental to inspect for 11 health and safety violations.  The inspector will not contact your landlord or owner until AFTER the inspection.  A copy of the violations are mailed to the landlord and it is then between the city and the landlord to fix it.   Ask The Renter Center for a FREE inspection.

Find more information on the VRIP here.

 

Additional Information...

Your landlord is required to provide smoke detectors and a carbon monoxide detector.  If he fails to do this, stopy by the Renter Center and we can give you a smoke alarm.  The Missoula Fire Department will send him a letter reminding him of the law.

_____________________________________

Disclaimer:  The information found at The Off-Campus Renter Center are not that of an attorney.  Please contact ASUM Legal Services (if a student) or your attorney for legal advice.  The information found here is intended for educational purposes only and should be used for ones own pursuit of mitigating disputes.