Montana Security Deposit Demand Letter
Direct answer
In Montana, the landlord must return the deposit within 10 calendar days (after inspection there are no damages, no cleaning required, no unpaid rent, and tenant demonstrates no unpaid utilities) or 30 calendar days (ordinary path when deductions or itemized list of rent/damage/cleaning charges apply). The deadline is measured from this trigger: 10 calendar days (after inspection there are no damages, no cleaning required, no unpaid rent, and tenant demonstrates no unpaid utilities): after termination / inspection path with no charges; 30 calendar days (ordinary path when deductions or itemized list of rent/damage/cleaning charges apply): subsequent to the termination of a tenancy or subsequent to surrender and acceptance of the leasehold premises, whichever occurs first. The verified state formula is failure to provide the required written list of damage and cleaning charges: landlord forfeits all rights to withhold any portion of the security deposit for damages or cleaning charges (MCA 70-25-203) under Mont. Code Ann. §§ 70-25-201 to 70-25-206 (esp. §§ 70-25-202, 70-25-203).
Key facts
| Deadline | 10 calendar days (after inspection there are no damages, no cleaning required, no unpaid rent, and tenant demonstrates no unpaid utilities); trigger: after termination / inspection path with no charges |
|---|---|
| Deadline (branch 2) | 30 calendar days (ordinary path when deductions or itemized list of rent/damage/cleaning charges apply); trigger: subsequent to the termination of a tenancy or subsequent to surrender and acceptance of the leasehold premises, whichever occurs first |
| Penalty formula | failure to provide the required written list of damage and cleaning charges: landlord forfeits all rights to withhold any portion of the security deposit for damages or cleaning charges (MCA 70-25-203) |
| Bad faith required | No |
| Itemization required | Yes |
| Interest on deposit | No |
| Maximum deposit | No statutory cap in MCA Chapter 70-25. |
| Forwarding address required | No |
| Small claims limit | $7,000 (Justice Court / City Court small claims) in Justice Court or City Court (small claims) |
| Statute citation | Mont. Code Ann. §§ 70-25-201 to 70-25-206 (esp. §§ 70-25-202, 70-25-203) |
Statute says
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 of any rent due and any damage and cleaning charges... Delivery of the list must be accompanied by payment of the difference, if any, between the security deposit and the permitted charges... 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 this means
Read the deadline, trigger, and penalty together before sending a letter. Match the dates in your documents to the trigger listed above, then cite Mont. Code Ann. §§ 70-25-201 to 70-25-206 (esp. §§ 70-25-202, 70-25-203) and request the deposit amount supported by your records.
Worked example
Use your actual deposit amount when you write the letter. For context, median rent in Montana is $1,081 according to U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates data as of .
- Yellowstone County: $1,131
- Missoula County: $1,190
- Gallatin County: $1,694
- Flathead County: $1,142
Example demand basis: a deposit equal to the state median rent starts at $1,081 before applying the state formula: failure to provide the required written list of damage and cleaning charges: landlord forfeits all rights to withhold any portion of the security deposit for damages or cleaning charges (MCA 70-25-203).
County small claims courts
| County | Court and city | Limit | Filing fee | E-filing | Court link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellowstone | Yellowstone County Justice Court, Billings | $7,000 | Confirm current filing and service fees with the justice court clerk. | Not verified | Court site |
| Missoula | Missoula County Justice Court, Missoula | $7,000 | Confirm current filing and service fees with the justice court clerk. | Not verified | Court site |
| Gallatin | Gallatin County Justice Court, Bozeman | $7,000 | Confirm current filing and service fees with the justice court clerk. | Not verified | Court site |
| Flathead | Flathead County Justice Court, Kalispell | $7,000 | Confirm current filing and service fees with the justice court clerk. | Not verified | Court site |
| Cascade | Cascade County Justice Court, Great Falls | $7,000 | Confirm current filing and service fees with the justice court clerk. | Not verified | Court site |
Free Montana template, built from verified state data
I am requesting the return of my security deposit. The verified Montana data for this page lists a 10 calendar days (after inspection there are no damages, no cleaning required, no unpaid rent, and tenant demonstrates no unpaid utilities) or 30 calendar days (ordinary path when deductions or itemized list of rent/damage/cleaning charges apply) return window and cites Mont. Code Ann. §§ 70-25-201 to 70-25-206 (esp. §§ 70-25-202, 70-25-203).
Before you send
- Collect your lease, deposit receipt, and move-in records.
- Save photos, videos, and messages about move-out condition.
- Write down the move-out date you can prove.
- Confirm the forwarding address you gave the landlord.
- Send by certified mail when appropriate, and keep a copy of the final letter and delivery proof.
When this letter will NOT work
- The dispute is not about return of a security deposit.
- You need urgent court relief instead of a demand letter.
- You cannot identify the landlord or property manager to contact.
- Your documents point to a different state or a different kind of claim.
Typical mistakes
- Sending a letter before organizing the documents that prove the timeline.
- Demanding an amount that does not match the payment records.
- Leaving out the forwarding address or preferred response method.
- Mixing repair complaints into a deposit letter without separating the issues.
FAQ
Does Billings have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Montana law and local rules.
Does Missoula have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Montana law and local rules.
Does Great Falls have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Montana law and local rules.
Does Bozeman have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Montana law and local rules.
Can I use this if I do not know the exact deposit amount?
Use the amount shown in your lease, receipt, or move-in records. If records conflict, keep copies and avoid guessing in the letter.
Should I send evidence with the first letter?
Attach copies when they prove the basic facts, such as payment, move-out condition, forwarding address, or prior messages.
Can this page replace legal advice?
No. This page is self-help information for organizing a demand letter and checking the cited data before you act.
City data on this page currently includes Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, Bozeman, Butte, Helena, Kalispell, Belgrade.
Tenant resources
- Montana Legal Services Associationlegal aid
- MontanaLawHelp.orglegal aid
- Montana Department of Justice Office of Consumer Protectionag consumer, 800-481-6896
- Montana Court Help Programcourt self help