HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-16-25 Public Comment - L. Bendz - Landlord request on proposed tenant legal defense changeFrom:Loretta Bendz
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Cc:Lynn Bendz
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Landlord request on proposed tenant legal defense change
Date:Tuesday, May 13, 2025 7:48:35 PM
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Dear City Commissioners,
I am writing to ask that you scale back the language and benefits of the tenant legal assistance change. I amnot a corporate big landlord. I am a retired nurse who was awarded a beat up 4 plex and duplex in a divorce in2005. I have poured probably 80,000 to 90,000 dollars into maintaining and upgrading these two buildings (newroofs times 2, new windows , new flooring several times and new paint, interior doors , new Trex exterior steps anddecks, new kitchen appliances, hot water heaters, toilets , furnaces etc.)
Yes, I have had to raise rents but I still try to keep my rents below corporate managers .
I try very hard to be fair and ethical with plenty of notice ie. 60-90 days when a tenant family does not meet thelease requirements. I have hired a property manager to ensure I am doing all steps correctly. I try to return 100percent of the security deposit .
If tenants had free legal service would I still get sued . Yes, I think so . Would I need to defend myself with payingseveral thousand dollars in legal fees? Yes. Would that expense increase the rents of the other tenants ? Yes. Ihave kept these units to provide income during my retirement years .
MSU students already can access legal help thru the college. City residents can get free guidance at the law andjustice center . The Montana Landlord laws are very thorough in clarifying actions in the event of dispute .
Please do not add extra layers of legal duress. Feel free to tighten laws on large scale corporate owners and leavethe small Mom and Pop landlords to provide good homes. Feel free to call me with any questions. Thank you!!
Loretta Bendz406-920-1269
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