Montana does not have statewide rent control, so landlords can generally raise rent when a lease ends or when the rental agreement allows it. In 2026, the bigger issue for many tenants is that new property-tax rules may affect landlords’ costs, and those costs could influence future rent increases.
What Landlords Can Do
In Montana, a landlord can usually increase rent at the end of a lease term, but they must follow any notice rules in the lease and state law. For month-to-month tenancies, landlords typically need to give reasonable notice before the new rent starts.
Montana also does not cap rent increases with a statewide percentage limit. That means the amount can be whatever the landlord chooses, as long as it is not discriminatory, retaliatory, or otherwise unlawful.
Notice Requirements
For a year-long lease, a landlord generally must provide 60 days’ written notice before a rent increase takes effect. That notice rule is especially important for tenants because a surprise increase is not allowed at the last minute.
For month-to-month rentals, the notice period may be shorter, but it still needs to be reasonable and properly delivered. Tenants should always check their lease first, because the lease can spell out a specific notice process.
2026 Tax Pressure
Montana’s 2026 property-tax changes have created concern that some landlords may pass higher costs on to tenants. Reporting in February 2026 said many landlords had not yet filed for exemptions that would keep long-term rentals from higher default tax treatment.
That does not automatically mean every tenant will see a rent hike, but it does mean the market could feel pressure if landlords face bigger tax bills. The state’s tax update also distinguishes long-term rentals from second homes and short-term rentals, which is part of the policy shift in 2026.
Tenant Rights
Even without rent control, tenants still have protections. A landlord cannot raise rent for a discriminatory reason, as retaliation, or in violation of an existing lease. If a tenant is still inside a fixed-term lease, the rent usually cannot change until the lease ends unless the lease specifically allows it.
A simple example: if you signed a 12-month lease at $1,200 per month, your landlord generally cannot raise it mid-lease just because costs went up. The landlord would usually need to wait until renewal and give the required notice.
What Tenants Should Do
Tenants should read the lease carefully, keep copies of all rent notices, and confirm the date the new amount starts. If the increase seems improper, tenants can challenge it by reviewing the lease terms and state notice requirements.
It also helps to ask the landlord whether the increase is tied to taxes, insurance, or maintenance costs, because that can clarify whether a negotiation is possible. In a tight rental market, even a small increase matters, so early planning is smart.
SOURCES:
- https://revenue.mt.gov/property/property-tax-changes/2026-property-tax-information
- https://montanafreepress.org/2026/02/23/many-montana-landlords-havent-filed-to-avoid-second-home-tax/
