One simple, common mistake often costs untrained Missoula property managers a lot of money.

Many landlords collect a security deposit from tenants to be used towards any potential damages or cleaning upon move out.

                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Per Montana state law, in order to collect a security deposit, a move in property condition report must be documented. The tenant must also be given the opportunity to review this report and add any information regarding the current state of the property and any pre-existing conditions.

                                                                                                                                                                   

This report can be referred to upon move out if there are discrepancies regarding the cleanliness of the property or any damages that may have occurred during tenancy. 

                                                                                                                                                                                           

If a property condition report does not exist, Missoula property managers cannot legally charge the tenant for any cleaning or damages upon move out and must refund the security deposit in full. If a landlord falsely charges the tenant, the tenant can pursue treble damages or up to 3 times the amount of the security deposit under unlawful withholding conditions in court.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       As this is a costly mistake, at Missoula Property Management, we ensure that we complete a property condition report at every move in, and allow tenants the chance to review and add to it. The report is kept in the tenant’s file for their entire tenancy, but also entered digitally into our software in case of fire, flood, or other natural disaster that could damage the original report. We also encourage the tenant to keep a copy for their records.