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Free Montana Security Deposit
Return Letter Template

Last reviewed September 2026

Written by LawLease Editorial

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Montana Security Deposit Return Letter

When a tenancy ends, a Montana landlord has a set time to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions. Here’s what Montana’s statute says.

Montana rules at a glance

Montana rules for a Security Deposit Return Letter
Return deadline10 days. If there is no damage, no cleaning required, no unpaid rent and the utilities are paid, the full deposit is due within 10 days of the tenancy ending.MCA §70-25-202(1)(b)
Itemized statement30 days. Otherwise, within 30 days after the tenancy ends (or the unit is surrendered and accepted, if earlier), the landlord must give a written list of rent due and damage and cleaning charges, with any balance.MCA §70-25-202(1)(a)
PenaltyThe landlord is liable for the amount wrongfully withheld, bears the burden of proving tenant-caused damage, and may face an attorney’s-fee award to the prevailing party.MCA §70-25-204

Security deposits in Montana

Montana places no dollar limit on a residential security deposit. It regulates instead what can be deducted and how fast the money must come back — and it uses two different deadlines depending on whether anything is withheld.

  • No deductions — 10 days — If there is no damage, no cleaning required, no unpaid rent and the utilities are paid, the full deposit is due within 10 days of the tenancy ending (§70-25-202(1)(b)).
  • With deductions — 30 days — Otherwise, within 30 days after the tenancy ends (or the unit is surrendered and accepted, if earlier), the landlord must give the tenant a written list of rent due and damage and cleaning charges, together with any balance (§70-25-202(1)(a)).
  • How it’s paid — The refund may go by electronic transfer, cash, check or other form of refund, or by mail to the address the tenant provides or the last known address (§70-25-202).
  • Allowed deductions — Damage caused by the tenant, unpaid rent, late charges, utilities, penalties due under the lease, other money owed, and actual cleaning costs including a reasonable charge for the landlord’s own labor. Normal cyclical maintenance can’t be charged unless the tenant’s negligence made it necessary (§70-25-201).
  • Cleaning notice — Cleaning charges can’t be deducted until the landlord gives written notice describing what cleaning is still needed; the tenant then has 24 hours to do it. The notice isn’t required if the tenant moves out without notice (§70-25-201(3)).
  • Pre-move-out inspection — Either party may ask for the unit to be inspected within one week before the tenancy ends (§70-25-201(2)).
  • Wrongful withholding — The landlord is liable for the amount wrongfully withheld, bears the burden of proving tenant-caused damage, and may face an attorney’s-fee award to the prevailing party (§70-25-204).

Tenant protections you can’t waive

  • Void lease terms — A lease can’t waive rights under the Act, authorize a confession of judgment, excuse or limit liability for purposeful misconduct or negligence, or require indemnity for it (§70-24-202).
  • No retaliation — A landlord can’t raise rent, cut services or seek possession because the tenant complained to a code agency, complained in writing about habitability, or joined a tenants’ union; a complaint within 6 months creates a presumption of retaliation (§70-24-431).
  • No lockouts or shutoffs — Unlawfully removing a tenant or cutting heat, water, electricity, gas or other essential services lets the tenant recover possession or terminate, plus up to 3 months’ rent or treble damages, whichever is greater (§70-24-411).
  • Deposit burden — In any deposit dispute, the landlord must prove the damage the tenant caused (§70-25-204).

Montana Security Deposit Return Letter FAQs

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Montana?

Montana sets no maximum — the amount is whatever the lease specifies. The law instead limits what can be deducted and sets strict refund deadlines (§§70-25-201, 70-25-202).

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Montana?

Ten days if there’s no damage, no cleaning needed, no unpaid rent and the utilities are paid. If the landlord deducts anything, the written list of charges and any balance are due within 30 days after the tenancy ends (§70-25-202).

Can a Montana landlord deduct cleaning costs from the deposit?

Yes, including a reasonable charge for the landlord’s own labor — but only after giving the tenant written notice of the cleaning still needed and 24 hours to do it, unless the tenant moved out without notice (§70-25-201).

More Montana landlord documents

Security Deposit Return Letter in other states

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