HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-20-25 Public Comment - M. Egge - FOR Tenants' Right to Counsel OrdinanceFrom:Mark Egge
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]FOR Tenants" Right to Counsel Ordinance
Date:Thursday, November 20, 2025 9:45:19 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Mr. Mayor, Mr. Deputy Mayor, and Commissioners:
I've called Bozeman home since 2004, when I arrived to attend MSU. Overthese twenty years, I've experienced Bozeman's housing market from
every angle — as a student renter, a homeowner, and now as a landlord.
This range of experience has convinced me that a tenant's right to counsel
program would benefit our entire community.
During my time with ASMSU, I saw firsthand how access to legal counsel
through the student attorney program helped students navigate housing
disputes before they escalated into bigger problems. Students whounderstood their rights and responsibilities made better tenants. Landlords
dealt with fewer costly legal proceedings. The program worked because it
leveled the playing field — both parties knew where they stood legally.
As a landlord today (I currently rent out a single-family home in Bozeman
and a fourplex in Butte), I support tenant's right to counsel for practical
reasons. When tenants have access to legal resources, it creates
consistency across our rental market. All landlords get held to the samelegal standard, which is good for those of us who already follow the rules.
It eliminates the competitive advantage of cutting corners. Legal counsel
also often prevents disputes from becoming messy court battles, saving
everyone time, money, and stress.
Although renters make up a majority of the city's population, renters are
underrepresented in city politics and receive fewer City benefits and
privileges (e.g. the city provides subsidized trees to homeowners; givesfirst priority in parking benefit districts to homeowners; bans affordable
types of rentals like triplexes and fourplexes from Bozeman's most
desirable neighborhoods; is actively contemplating making 100+ renter
homes nonconforming in the Bon Ton district in response to 33homeowner signatures; allows an unlimited number of related occupantsbut caps unrelated occupants sharing a home at four, etc.). The proposed
counsel program is a step toward a fairer and more inclusive city
and supports a stable housing ecosystem where both tenants andlandlords understand their rights and responsibilities.
This program represents good governance: practical, fair, and responsive
to our community's actual needs. I urge you to support its adoption.
Mark Egge1548 S Grand Ave
Bozeman, MT 59715