Before looking for a place to live, consider what you can afford and what you need. Decide how much you are willing to pay for rent and utilities. When considering a specific unit, find out how much the utilities will cost. Ask previous tenants and the landlord what the utilities have cost in the past. If necessary, ask the landlord to request the information for you from Northwest Energy or your local power company which should have records of the previous year’s gas and electric bills. List those assets you want or need, for example laundry facilities, location in relation to work or school, safety, parking availability, access to public transportation, pet policy, etc.

Staying in touch with the rental market is a good idea. This may be done by talking to your neighbors or fellow tenants, keeping in mind that negotiation of rental costs is allowed prior to signing and there is no restriction on discussing rental costs with fellow tenants.

You can bargain with the landlord for acceptable terms. For example, a landlord might be willing to lower rent, spread the security deposit over several monthly payments, or alter pet policies. Too often tenants mistakenly assume that bargaining is unacceptable, however, many landlords are willing to bargain for a good renter. See what the landlord wants, vocalize what you want and negotiate for a rental agreement that works for both parties. If you do make special arrangements remember to put them in writing on the rental agreement.

Montana does not have a statewide Nondiscrimination law in regards to sexual orientation or gender identity, but some municipalities do. >

Check out the status of local NDOs here.

While screening tenants is important for landlords to ensure that their property will be cared for and that rent will be paid, landlords may not use the screening process to discriminate against prospective tenants. Unless a landlord is renting a room in her/his own house, the landlord is forbidden from discriminating against a potential tenant on the basis of the individual’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, marital status, familial status, national origin, or mental or physical disability.