70-24-427. Landlord's remedies after termination -- action for possession. - Montana Statutes

     70-24-427. Landlord's remedies after termination -- action for possession. (1) If the rental agreement is terminated, the landlord has a claim for possession and for rent and a separate claim for actual damages for any breach of the rental agreement.
     (2) An action filed pursuant to subsection (1) in a court must be heard within 20 days after the tenant's appearance or the answer date stated in the summons, except that if the rental agreement is terminated because of noncompliance under 70-24-321(3), the action must be heard within 5 business days after the tenant's appearance or the answer date stated in the summons. If the action is appealed to the district court, the hearing must be held within 20 days after the case is transmitted to the district court, except that if the rental agreement is terminated because of noncompliance under 70-24-321(3), the hearing must be held within 5 business days after the case is transmitted to the district court.
     (3) The landlord and tenant may stipulate to a continuance of the hearing beyond the time limit in subsection (2) without the necessity of an undertaking.
     (4) In a landlord's action for possession filed pursuant to subsection (1), the court shall rule on the action within 5 days after the hearing.

     History: En. 42-438 by Sec. 38, Ch. 313, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 42-438; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 585, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 408, L. 2003.