Faced with an unexpected $97 rent increase, tenants at Bozeman’s King Arthur and Mountain Meadows mobile home parks plan a rent strike starting Friday. More than 60% of the residents, coordinated by Bozeman Tenants United (BTU), have voted to stop rent payments for May, amounting to roughly $53,000. The strike aims to pressure the landlord, Oakland Companies, into negotiations, but so far, tenant inquiries have gone unanswered.
Rent strikes are tenant-led actions to withhold rent in hopes of negotiating rent hikes. Despite the tenants’ collective decision, Oakland Companies, represented by Landy Leep, has refused to engage. Tenants are expected to receive non-payment notices and could face eviction proceedings if they continue withholding rent. Leep maintained that their door remains open to individual tenants but not to unionized groups.
As the parks await a new owner on May 11, Leep declined to explain the rent increase. BTU Director Benjamin Finegan noted that the eviction threats were anticipated, and the group is ready to contest these actions in court. BTU has plans to support tenants with legal representation funded through discounted services, fundraising efforts, and their budget.
The 11% rent increase marks the latest escalation in a series spanning recent years. Debi Rooks, a tenant since 2021, highlighted the growing burden as her rent escalated from $585 to $947. Expressing determination, Rooks stated, “Even though it is terrifying to do this strike, my fear of not fighting back trumps my fear of actually doing it.”
BTU emphasized that this is Montana’s first rent strike in nearly 50 years, with the last also involving trailer park residents. Tenants plan to rally at King Arthur Park Friday evening, signaling the start of their protest.
—
Read More Montana News
