Cal. Civ. Code § 70-24-407
Damages For Minor Violations By Landlord
Operative Text
If the landlord fails to comply with the rental agreement or 70-24-303 and the reasonable cost of compliance is less than the 1 month's rent, the tenant may recover damages for the breach under 70-24-406 (2).
Montana Code § 70-24-407 addresses situations where a landlord has not complied with the rental agreement or the habitability and maintenance standards set out in § 70-24-303, and the cost to fix the problem is relatively minor — specifically, less than one month's rent. In those circumstances, the law provides a path for the tenant to seek monetary damages for the breach, as described under § 70-24-406(2). This rule essentially carves out a remedy for smaller-scale landlord violations that do not rise to the level of more serious habitability failures.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Mont. Code Ann. § 70-24-407, landlords who fall short of their obligations under the rental agreement or § 70-24-303 — even in minor ways — may face a damages claim if the cost of correction is under one month's rent. Compliant operators generally conduct routine inspections and address maintenance issues promptly so that small deficiencies do not accumulate or go unresolved. Keeping clear records of repair requests and completed work can help demonstrate ongoing compliance with the rental agreement and statutory maintenance standards.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Mont. Code Ann. § 70-24-407 gives tenants a legal basis to seek damages when a landlord has not met the requirements of the rental agreement or § 70-24-303, provided the cost of fixing the problem is less than one month's rent. The damages remedy is pursued through the framework described in § 70-24-406(2), which may involve filing a claim in the appropriate court. Tenants who believe this provision applies to their situation may benefit from consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand the available enforcement paths.
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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Rules and statutes that cite this regulation