State law · statute quotes
Montana security deposit laws for landlords and property managers
The words of Montana's security deposit statute on each topic, quoted verbatim with pinpoint citations and links to the official source. No summaries, no interpretation.
Reviewed by Mark Shvaya, licensed California real estate broker (DRE #02243502), who uses ProFlow360 in a rental portfolio Mark manages
Last reviewed
Quoted on this page
- Deposit limit
- Returning the deposit
- Itemized statement
- Inspections and condition reports
- Photographs
- Normal wear and tear
- Interest
- Wrongful withholding
Mont. Code Ann. § 70-25-101 · Mont. Code Ann. § 70-25-201 · Mont. Code Ann. § 70-25-202 · Mont. Code Ann. § 70-25-203 · Mont. Code Ann. § 70-25-204 · Mont. Code Ann. § 70-25-206
On this page
What this page covers
Montana's residential security deposit provisions quoted here come from Mont. Code Ann. § 70-25-101, Mont. Code Ann. § 70-25-201, Mont. Code Ann. § 70-25-202, Mont. Code Ann. § 70-25-203, Mont. Code Ann. § 70-25-204, Mont. Code Ann. § 70-25-206. Below are the statute's own words on 5 topics, each with a pinpoint citation and a link to the official text. This page does not summarize or interpret the law.
What does Montana law say about move-in or move-out inspections?
Any person engaged in the rental of property for residential purposes who requires a security deposit shall furnish to each tenant, in conjunction with execution of a lease or creation of a tenancy, a separate written statement as to the present condition of the premises intended to be let. ... At the request of either party, the premises may be inspected within 1 week prior to termination of the tenancy.
What does Montana law say about returning the deposit?
Each landlord, within 30 days subsequent to the termination of a tenancy or within 30 days subsequent to a surrender and acceptance of the leasehold premises, whichever occurs first, shall provide the departing tenant with a written list ... If after inspection there are no damages to the premises, no cleaning required, and no rent unpaid and if the tenant can demonstrate that no utilities are unpaid by the tenant, the landlord shall return the security deposit within 10 days.
What does Montana law say about an itemized statement of deductions?
shall provide the departing tenant with a written list of any rent due and any damage and cleaning charges, brought after the provisions of 70-25-201 have been followed, with regard to the leasehold premises that the landlord alleges are the responsibility of the tenant. Delivery of the list must be accompanied by payment of the difference, if any, between the security deposit and the permitted charges set forth in 70-25-201.
How does Montana law refer to normal wear and tear?
"Cleaning expenses" means the actual and necessary cost of cleaning done by an owner or the owner's selected representative for cleaning needs not attributable to normal wear brought about by the tenant's failure to bring the premises to the condition it was at the time of renting.
What does Montana law say about wrongful withholding?
Any landlord who fails to provide the departing tenant with a written list of damage and cleaning charges as required by 70-25-202 shall forfeit all rights to withhold any portion of the security deposit for the damages or cleaning charges. ... A person who wrongfully withholds a residential property security deposit or any portion of the deposit is liable in damages to the tenant ... for an amount equal to the sum determined to have been wrongfully withheld or deducted.
Not quoted on this page
deposit limit, photographs, interest. That does not mean Montana law is silent on them; other sections or local rules may apply. Read the full statute.
Has Montana's security deposit law changed recently?
From our review of the official history notes: Montana Code Annotated 2025 edition. § 70-25-201 and § 70-25-202 amended by Sec. 1 and Sec. 2, Ch. 656, L. 2025 (also Ch. 383, L. 2023). Current text of § 70-25-202 provides refund delivery by electronic fund transfers, cash, check or other forms, or by mail; § 70-25-201(3)(c) allows notice by leaving a copy in the unit and notifying by e-mail, phone or text when tenant vacates without notice. Exact 2025 changes not compared against prior text; effective date of Ch. 656, L. 2025 not verified.
Amendment history not confirmed from the official source.
How does ProFlow360 help you document a Montana tenancy?
ProFlow360 records and organizes inspection evidence; it does not tell you what the statute requires or allows. What it records, for any state:
- Move-in, routine, pre-move-out and move-out inspections with photos timestamped at capture.
- Each move-out photo beside its move-in match, filed under the tenancy.
- Itemized lines with your classification, the amount you entered, and the estimate or invoice attached.
- An issued record that is sealed, shared by a link that expires and can be revoked.
Do this in ProFlow360
Keep the photos, the call and the invoice on the same line
Every deduction line carries the move-in and move-out photos, your classification and its documents, so the record can be followed by someone who was not there.
Kitchen · counter burn, left of range
Line 2 of 5 · TEN-0418
MI-21 · Jul 12, 2024
MO-29 · Sep 30, 2026Security deposit statutes in nearby states
Sources
- 1.Mont. Code Ann. § 70-25-101: Definitions
- 2.Mont. Code Ann. § 70-25-201: Security deposit -- deductions authorized therefrom
- 3.Mont. Code Ann. § 70-25-202: List of damages and refund -- delivery to departing tenant
- 4.Mont. Code Ann. § 70-25-203: Failure to provide list -- forfeiture of deduction rights
- 5.Mont. Code Ann. § 70-25-204: Wrongful withholding of security deposit -- action
- 6.Mont. Code Ann. § 70-25-206: Landlord to furnish statement of condition of premises at beginning of lease
Sources checked October 16, 2026.
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