Which of the following is typically a responsibility of landlords under the Montana Residential Landlord and Tenant Act?

Under the Montana Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, one of the primary responsibilities of landlords is to ensure that the rental property is safe and habitable. This means that the property must meet certain health and safety standards, such as having adequate plumbing, heating, and electrical systems, along with being free of hazardous conditions that could pose risk to tenants. A landlord's duty to maintain a safe and habitable environment is crucial to protecting the well-being of tenants and ensuring they have a suitable living space.

While providing utilities may be included in some lease agreements, it is not universally the landlord’s responsibility under the act. Handling maintenance requests personally is also not required; landlords may hire professionals to address maintenance issues. Furthermore, obtaining tenants' consent for all repairs is not typically mandated as landlords are expected to make necessary repairs in accordance with their obligations without needing prior consent for essential maintenance to keep the property habitable. Therefore, the requirement to ensure safety and habitability stands out as a fundamental duty assigned to landlords in Montana.