Rosebud County, Montana: Where to File a Security Deposit Claim and What It Costs
Listed court is Rosebud County Justice Court - Small Claims Division in Forsyth. Check venue on the court's official page or with the clerk. Filing fee: set by the court; see its fee table. Claims up to $7,000. Montana return time: 10 calendar days or another period by condition. ACS two-bedroom rent: $624. Enter your dates below and send the dated letter first.
| Court listed | Rosebud County Justice Court - Small Claims Division |
|---|---|
| City | Forsyth |
| Statewide filing fee | Current court fee schedule |
| Small claims limit | $7,000 (Justice Court / City Court small claims only) |
| State deposit return deadline |
|
| Time limit to sue | 8 years |
| Deposit statute | Mont. Code Ann. §§ 70-25-201 to 70-25-206 (esp. §§ 70-25-202, 70-25-203) |
Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk.
Details
Limits: $7,000 (Justice Court / City Court small claims only).
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Details of the return rules
| When it applies | Deadline | Starts from |
|---|---|---|
| after inspection there are no damages, no cleaning required, no unpaid rent, and tenant demonstrates no unpaid utilities | 10 days | after termination / inspection path with no charges |
| ordinary path when deductions or itemized list of rent/damage/cleaning charges apply | 30 days | subsequent to the termination of a tenancy or subsequent to surrender and acceptance of the leasehold premises, whichever occurs first |
Montana return rule: 10 calendar days (after inspection there are no damages, no cleaning required, no unpaid rent, and tenant demonstrates no unpaid utilities). Check the dates you entered above.
Court listed for this county: Rosebud County Justice Court - Small Claims Division. Check venue on the official court page or with the clerk.
Free dated DOCX by email. Print-ready state PDF kit: $29. Letter preparation and mailing: $49.
Who do you name in the claim?
Find and compare the legal names
Find and compare the legal names in these records:
- The lease: the Landlord or Owner line and who signed.
- The deposit receipt or the account your rent went to.
- The owner of record in the property records of Rosebud County.
- The Montana business registry for an LLC or management company: its exact legal name and registered agent. Montana Secretary of State
A registered agent receives court papers for a company; it is not the defendant.
This page shows where the names are recorded; it does not decide who is legally liable.
What to bring to the clerk
- Your lease.
- Deposit receipt or payment record.
- The demand letter and proof of delivery.
- Move-out photos and an inventory or condition report.
Is it worth filing here?
Illustration: a deposit equal to one month's ACS median gross rent (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) for a home in Rosebud County. This is calculated from rent, not measured deposits. The statutory amount requires the rule's conditions.
| Bedrooms | Deposit owed | Statutory amount | Total illustration | Limit check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $535 | $0 | $535 | Fits under the $7,000 limit for this illustrated claim |
| 2 | $624 | $0 | $624 | Fits under the $7,000 limit for this illustrated claim |
| 3 | $869 | $0 | $869 | Fits under the $7,000 limit for this illustrated claim |
| 4 | $906 | $0 | $906 | Fits under the $7,000 limit for this illustrated claim |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, tables B25064, B25031, B25003, B25070; accessed 2026-09-21. Penalty rule.
How does Rosebud County compare with other Montana counties?
The two-bedroom median gross rent is $624: rank 51 of 56 counties with this metric in U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. 33.7% of households rent in Rosebud County.
| County | Median gross rent |
|---|---|
| Chouteau County | $635 |
| Deer Lodge County | $634 |
| Rosebud County | $624 |
| Liberty County | $616 |
| Powder River County | $615 |
| Glacier County | $577 |
Ranking uses the same ACS metric and period within this state; ties share a rank. Coverage is 56 of 61 listed counties. Census source.
Places in Rosebud County
- Colstrip
- Forsyth
These are Census places in the county. Check the rental's address with the clerk to find the court.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census place-to-county relationship file
Free legal help
- Montana Legal Services Association: Free civil legal help for low-income Montanans, including rental repairs, deposits and evictions. At access, reduced staffing limits returned voicemails from new applicants to domestic-violence matters and evictions involving public housing or Section 8; the site says normal staffing resumes October 5.
FAQ
How much does it cost to file in Rosebud County?
The court sets the fee. Check the current schedule. Court page
Where do I file a deposit claim in Rosebud County?
Rosebud County Justice Court - Small Claims Division is listed. Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk. Court page
Who should I name in the claim?
Compare the legal names on the lease, deposit receipt, property records and business registry. A registered agent receives papers for a company; it is not the defendant.
What should I bring to the clerk?
Bring your lease, deposit receipt, demand letter, proof of delivery, photos and any move-out inventory.