HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-13-25 Public Comment - M. Hazer - Public Comment - May 13th City Commission - Tenants Right to CounselFrom:Meghan Hazer
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Public Comment - May 13th City Commission - Tenants Right to Counsel
Date:Monday, May 12, 2025 9:51:11 PM
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Dear Bozeman City Commission,
Thank you for providing the opportunity for members of the community to provide public
comment. I´m writing to voice support for the tenants right to council, and generally for anyfeasible measures to ensure that renters are able to access their rights guaranteed under
Montana State Law.
Note that guaranteeing a right to council is not an expansion of renters rights. Good landlords -who are delivering on their side of the legal rental contract - should be reassured by this. It
simply guarantees that people who find themselves in a vulnerable situation facing evictioncan access the rights that they already have.
My support for this measure for three main reasons. First, I can share many examples of
landlords, who understand the power they have due to the tight rental market, exploitingtenants who cannot access their rights. This kind of abuse only happens because such entities
are confident that tenants won't have the knowledge or means to self advocate. Establishing aright to council sends an important message for would-be offenders, and can prevent issues
before they arise.
Montana tenant law relies on two parties acting fairly towards each other, bound by a legalagreement. State law lays out a system that seems fair, but gives considerable protection to
landlords operating under the assumption that they value their tenants and accept theirobligation to provide a safe place to live. Unfortunately, that may have worked historically,
but with today's rental market, the area has become attractive to some companies with amuch different set of values. Without some measure to hold those who abuse this trusted
agreement accountable - those who most abuse it will be rewarded, while those trying to dothe right thing will suffer.
For some perspective, I am a renter. I am grateful that I have my health, a professional job,
and am married, so am part of a two income household. If any of those things changed, wecould easily be in a difficult situation. Still, we delay and are cautious of reporting any
maintenance issues due to fear of rent increases or retaliation. If we had to move, there arelimited (if any) other options within reach. Even for us, it is a constant fear given the tight
rental market.
I urge you to listen to those giving testimony who have lived experience facing evictions andsometimes illegal actions by landlords. Their stories are far from rare. In the just over a year
that I have lived here, I have seen renters go without running water for over two weeks, onlyto find out that their only option would be to break the lease. That would require finding
another place to live while successfully advocating for their right to do so. They couldn't, sothey didn't. As far as I know, the root cause was never fixed, so it can happen again. I have
seen landlords charge a security deposit for a short term rental when an apartment was
uninhabitable due to an emergency - then keep the security deposit and never provide accessto the rental. Those tenants had to pay for a hotel. I have heard stories of landlords who broke
a lease with short notice to sell a home or short term rent. Nearly everyone I talk to has somestory of how they have delayed requesting maintenance or generally live in fear of losing their
housing. The least we can do is make sure tenants have access to the legal rights guaranteed tothem under state law.
Secondly, there are many good landlords who are providing a safe place for people to live -
and renters who might find themselves in a tough situation, due to illness, job loss, etc. Inother places where tenants right to council has been established - attorneys experienced with
mediation have been able to find a mutual agreement, outside of court, which works for bothparties.
Third, is the potential for cost savings (both monetary and human) that could be achieved by
preventing people from becoming homeless. I ask that the Commission consider these savings,when evaluating the feasibility of this proposal. In other communities who have implemented
similar programs, evictions have been reduced by 90%. As with most things, investment inpreventing hardship from occurring is better than money spent after the fact.
Lastly, in watching previous hearings, there tends to be a stigma around renters. In advance of
receiving public comment this evening, I would like to ask the Commission to keep in mindthat many renters are renters because the cost of homeownership is simply out of reach. They
are worthy of basic rights. Renters live, work, contribute to, and pay taxes in this community.They too would be contributing to the cost of such a service, even if they don't use it.
Thank you again for the opportunity to comment, and best of luck finding a solid path
forward.
Sincerely,
Meghan Hazer Alvarez
Bozeman resident