Lease Snipe

Montana Deposit Return Deadline

10–30 days

Under Montana law, a landlord generally has 10–30 days after move-out to act on your security deposit — 10 days when no deductions are claimed; 30 days when deductions are claimed. The FAQ below covers the details.

Educational information: generated from our Montana law database (last updated 2024-01-01). Not legal advice.

How Montana compares

51 of 51 US jurisdictions set a statutory deadline for returning security deposits. Here is how Montana compares with other states in our database.

StateDeposit Return Deadline
Montana10–30 days
Nebraska14 days
Nevada30 days
New Hampshire30 days
New Jersey30 days

Frequently asked questions

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Montana?
Generally 10–30 days after move-out. No statutory limit (2 months generally considered reasonable). Nonrefundable fees prohibited - all deposits must be refundable. Return within 10 days if no deductions, 30 days if deductions. Final inspection within 7 days of termination; 24 hours notice for cleaning.
Can a Montana landlord keep my deposit for damages?
Landlords may generally deduct for unpaid rent and damage beyond normal wear and tear, but must account for deductions. Deductions for ordinary wear and tear are not allowed.
What if my Montana landlord misses the deposit return deadline?
Missing the statutory deadline (10–30 days) can expose the landlord to statutory penalties. No statutory limit (2 months generally considered reasonable). Nonrefundable fees prohibited - all deposits must be refundable. Return within 10 days if no deductions, 30 days if deductions. Final inspection within 7 days of termination; 24 hours notice for cleaning.

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More Montana lease law guides

Educational information generated from state statute data — not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in Montana for your specific situation.