How long does my landlord have to return my deposit in Montana?

In Montana, the deposit or a written itemized statement is generally due 30 days after your tenancy ends — 10 days if the landlord claims no deductions under MCA § 70-25-202.

What if my Montana landlord misses the deadline?

Send a written demand letter by certified mail stating the amount owed and a firm date for payment, keep proof of delivery, and file in small claims court if they still don't pay. Many states allow extra statutory damages when a deposit is wrongfully withheld.

Do I have to give my landlord a forwarding address in Montana?

In many states the clock only starts once you provide a forwarding address in writing, and some require it within days of moving out. Always send it in writing and keep a copy.

Can my landlord keep the deposit for normal wear and tear?

No. Deductions are generally limited to unpaid rent and damage beyond ordinary wear and tear, and the landlord usually has to itemize them in writing.

Montana · security deposits

Montana security deposit return law: how long your landlord has

In Montana, a landlord must return your security deposit — or deliver a written, itemized statement of deductions — 30 days after your tenancy ends — 10 days if the landlord claims no deductions. That comes from MCA § 70-25-202. If that date has passed and you have received neither the money nor an itemization, your landlord is late.

Montana at a glance

Deadline to return or itemize

30 days after your tenancy ends — 10 days if the landlord claims no deductions.

Statute

MCA § 70-25-202

Details that matter

Send your forwarding address in writing and keep a dated copy — in many states that starts the clock.

Verification

Cited from the state statute. Still worth a check against the current text.

Have the facts of your move-out handy? Security Deposit GPT writes the Montana demand letter for you. Start the letter

What counts as a lawful deduction

A landlord can generally deduct unpaid rent, unpaid utilities they were charged for, and the cost of repairing damage that goes beyond ordinary wear and tear. Repainting after a normal tenancy, worn carpet, small nail holes, and routine cleaning are usually not chargeable to you.

Where deductions are claimed, most states require a written itemization — often with receipts or invoices. An itemization that arrives late, or that consists of a single vague line like “cleaning and damages,” is exactly what a demand letter should challenge.

What to do when the Montana deadline passes

Write down the facts: your move-out date, the deposit amount, anything returned, and every message you have sent or received about it.
Send a written demand letter naming the Montana deadline and giving a specific date — 10 to 14 days out — for payment.
Mail it certified with return receipt requested, and email a copy the same day. How to do that.
If the date passes with no payment, file in the small claims or justice court for the county where the rental is. You do not need a lawyer.

Questions Montana tenants ask

How long does my landlord have to return my deposit in Montana?: In Montana, the deposit or a written itemized statement is generally due 30 days after your tenancy ends — 10 days if the landlord claims no deductions under MCA § 70-25-202.
What if my Montana landlord misses the deadline?: Send a written demand letter by certified mail stating the amount owed and a firm date for payment, keep proof of delivery, and file in small claims court if they still don't pay. Many states allow extra statutory damages when a deposit is wrongfully withheld.
Do I have to give my landlord a forwarding address in Montana?: In many states the clock only starts once you provide a forwarding address in writing, and some require it within days of moving out. Always send it in writing and keep a copy.
Can my landlord keep the deposit for normal wear and tear?: No. Deductions are generally limited to unpaid rent and damage beyond ordinary wear and tear, and the landlord usually has to itemize them in writing.

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Other states

This page is general information about Montana law, not legal advice. Security Deposit GPT is not a law firm. Local ordinances can be stricter than state law — verify your deadline before relying on it.