Montana Deposit Return Deadline
10–30 daysUnder 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.
| State | Deposit Return Deadline |
|---|---|
| Montana | 10–30 days |
| Nebraska | 14 days |
| Nevada | 30 days |
| New Hampshire | 30 days |
| New Jersey | 30 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.
Check Your Lease Against Montana Law
Not sure whether your lease complies with Montana law? Upload it and our analyzer flags problem clauses — deposit terms, entry rights, fees and prohibited provisions — using the same statute-backed database this page is generated from.
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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.