What: HB 233, Require the refund of residential lease applications
Position: Support
Action: HB 233 was tabled in committee, preventing further discussion and action on the bill. Reach out to your State House Representative to bring HB 233 to a vote on the floor and support it. Look up and get contact info for your representative here.
Talking Points:
- In the last few years, there has been an unprecedented demand to live in Montanana and competition for housing and rentals has skyrocketed.
- Many property management companies charge a fee for applying for rental properties. The search for a rental can cost more than a month’s rent just in application fees.
- Property management companies can pocket the money from application fees from the dozens of applications they often receive for a rental.
- HB 233 will refund these applications to those not awarded a place to live, minus the cost of actual services like background checks, putting money back in renters’ pockets.