Montana Landlord-Tenant Laws
This overview summarizes common Montana landlord-tenant topics using published statute references (Montana Code 70-24). Laws change — confirm details with official sources.
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Montana at a glance: Security deposit limit: No statutory limit. Return deadline: 10 days with no deductions; 30 days with deductions. Month-to-month notice: 30 days. Source: Montana Code 70-24.
Security deposit
- Maximum deposit
- No statutory limit
- Return deadline
- 10 days with no deductions; 30 days with deductions
- Interest required
- No statutory requirement
The rule: No statewide deposit limit. With no deductions (no damage, no cleaning needed, no unpaid rent or utilities) the full deposit is due within 10 days. With deductions for rent, damage or cleaning the landlord has 30 days to send a written list with the balance; cleaning charges need written notice and 24 hours to cure first (Mont. Code Ann. §§ 70-25-201, 70-25-202).
Landlords should provide an itemized deduction list when withholding any portion of the deposit.
Source read · Mont. Code Ann. §§ 70-25-201, 70-25-202
Eviction notice
- Nonpayment of rent
- 3 days notice
- Lease violation
- 14 days notice
Court filing and service rules vary by county. Use our eviction timeline calculator for planning.
Notice to vacate
- Month-to-month lease
- 30 days notice
- Fixed-term lease
- No notice required if lease ends
Late rent fees
- Grace period
- No statutory requirement
- Maximum late fee
- No limit
Additional regulations
- Rent control
- No statewide rent control
- Landlord entry notice
- 24 hours
Primary statute reference: Montana Code 70-24
Sources
When to use Montana document templates
Use LeaseCraft templates when you need PDF and editable DOCX lease and notice forms built for Montana landlords and tenants. Start with the residential lease generator, then add notices from the list of Montana documents.
Common mistakes in Montana
- Relying on verbal agreements instead of a written lease with required disclosures
- Missing the security deposit return deadline (10 days with no deductions; 30 days with deductions)
- Serving eviction or termination notices with incorrect day counts
Frequently asked questions
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Montana sets no statewide security deposit limit. The return deadline is 10 days with no deductions; 30 days with deductions. No statewide deposit limit. With no deductions (no damage, no cleaning needed, no unpaid rent or utilities) the full deposit is due within 10 days. With deductions for rent, damage or cleaning the landlord has 30 days to send a written list with the balance; cleaning charges need written notice and 24 hours to cure first (Mont. Code Ann. §§ 70-25-201, 70-25-202).
Confirm current rules in Montana Code 70-24.
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Montana month-to-month tenancies typically require 30 days written notice unless the lease specifies otherwise.
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Use our Montana lease agreement generator to build a residential lease with state-structured clauses. Preview free before download.
Educational summary only, not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for specific guidance. LeaseCraft is not a law firm. Statutes change — verify requirements with official Montana sources before relying on this information.
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