Montana Security Deposit Law

Return Deadline

Under Montana law, landlords must return your security deposit within 30 days of your move-out date. This includes providing an itemized list of any deductions. If your landlord misses this deadline, they may be in violation of state law.

Penalties

Montana does not have a specific statutory penalty multiplier for late deposit returns. However, you are still entitled to the full return of your deposit minus legitimate deductions, and you may recover additional damages through small claims court.

Common Reasons Landlords Withhold Deposits

• Claiming damage beyond normal wear and tear
• Unpaid rent or utility bills
• Cleaning fees (often disputed as excessive)
• Failure to provide proper move-out notice
• Simply hoping the tenant won’t fight back

How to Get Your Deposit Back in Montana

1. Document everything— take photos of the unit at move-out and keep copies of your lease.
2. Send a demand letter— a formal letter citing Montana’s specific statutes puts your landlord on notice and creates a paper trail.
3. File in small claims court— if your landlord ignores the letter, you can file a claim. Most deposit cases are straightforward and don’t require a lawyer.