HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-04-25 Public Comment - L. Case - comment on Bozeman proposal to hire attorneys to represent tenatsFrom:Lori Case
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]comment on Bozeman proposal to hire attorneys to represent tenats
Date:Sunday, May 4, 2025 8:46:30 AM
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Are you kidding me? Unacceptable
Tax payer money should NOT be used to pay for attorneys unless you are willing to pay forthe attorneys for the Landlords!!!
I agree with all comments from John Sinrud and ditto these comments as written below.
1. The Law Is Already Clear and Balanced
“Montana’s Residential Landlord-Tenant Act is designed for laypeople.”It clearly outlines responsibilities for both landlords and tenants. Most cases are straightforward—rent notpaid, lease terms violated, property damaged—and don’t require attorneys. The law is built for directaccess to justice without costly legal representation.
2. The 3% vs. 90% Statistic Is Misleading and Not Based in Fact
“This is a talking point, not a truth.”Tenant advocates often claim that 90% of landlords are represented in court, while only 3% of tenants haveattorneys. That’s not true in Bozeman. Most small landlords represent themselves because they can. Thelaw is clear and accessible. Only corporate owners are required by law to have an attorney in court. The vastmajority of local landlords are not corporations—and they show up to court on their own, just like tenantsdo.
3. This Policy Would Create an Uneven Playing Field
“City-funded legal help for tenants alone is biased and discriminatory.”If a tenant gets a free city attorney, who helps the landlord? No one. This proposal puts a thumb on thescale of justice and punishes the very people providing the rental housing Bozeman depends on.
4. It’s an Unfair Use of Public Funds
“Taxpayer dollars should not be used to take one side in private civil disputes.”City resources should go toward roads, water, safety—not lawsuits where one party broke a lease orrefused to pay rent.
5. This Will Discourage Rental Investment and Hurt Housing Supply
“If landlords feel targeted, they’ll stop renting or raise rents to cover risk.”Bozeman already has a housing shortage. Driving out the small, local landlords will only make it worse.
6. Tenants Already Have Resources
“Legal aid is already available for low-income tenants with legitimate cases.”Groups like Montana Legal Services exist to help tenants in need. The city should support thoseorganizations, not create an adversarial legal arm to go after landlords.
7. This Sets a Dangerous Precedent of Government Overreach
“If the city starts funding one side in landlord-tenant disputes, what’s next?”
Publicly funded divorce lawyers? Business litigation? There’s a line between public interest and privateconflict—and this crosses it.
John Sinrud
President, MLA
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Lori
LC Bookkeeping LLCAccounting, Bookkeeping and more