Cal. Civ. Code § 70-24-102
Purposes -- Liberal Construction To Promote
Operative Text
(1) This chapter shall be liberally construed and applied to promote its underlying purposes and policies. (2) Underlying purposes and policies of this chapter are to: (a) simplify, clarify, modernize, and revise the law governing the rental of dwelling units and the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants; (b) encourage landlords and tenants to maintain and improve the quality of housing; and (c) create an exclusive regulatory standard throughout the state and its political subdivisions regarding landlord and tenant law.
Mont. Code Ann. § 70-24-102 establishes the foundational purposes behind Montana's residential landlord-tenant law. Courts and agencies are directed to interpret the chapter broadly and generously in order to advance its goals, which include modernizing rental law, promoting housing quality, and creating a single, uniform standard for landlord-tenant rules that applies across all Montana cities, counties, and other local jurisdictions. This provision does not create specific rights or duties on its own, but it shapes how every other section of the chapter is read and applied.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Mont. Code Ann. § 70-24-102, Montana's landlord-tenant law is designed to be interpreted broadly, meaning that ambiguous provisions in the chapter are generally read in light of goals like housing quality and legal clarity. Operators who stay informed about the chapter's requirements and maintain properties in good condition align with the statute's stated policy of encouraging landlords to improve housing. Because § 70-24-102 also establishes a statewide uniform standard, local ordinances that conflict with the chapter may not add separate layers of obligation, which is worth understanding when operating across multiple Montana municipalities.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Mont. Code Ann. § 70-24-102 signals that the entire chapter governing rental housing in Montana is meant to be read generously to advance tenant protections, housing quality, and legal clarity. Because courts are instructed to apply the law liberally under this provision, tenants who believe their rights under the chapter have been violated may find that ambiguous statutory language is interpreted in a manner consistent with those protective purposes. Tenants seeking to understand how this interpretive principle applies to a specific situation can consult a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office familiar with Montana's residential landlord-tenant framework.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 22, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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