Security Deposit Laws in Montana
Montana does not cap security deposits, requires return within 30 days after the tenancy ends (10 days if nothing is deducted), and requires 24 hours' notice before landlord entry.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
Montana at a glance
- Security deposit limit
- No statewide limit
- State law sets no maximum deposit
- Deposit return deadline
- 30 days
- 30 days after termination (10 days if no deductions)
- Interest on deposits
- Not required by state law
- Some cities have their own interest rules
- Notice before landlord entry
- 24 hours
- 24 hours' notice
The rules in Montana
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Montana?
Montana law sets no statewide limit on security deposits, so the amount is set by the lease. Check for local rules where you rent.
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Montana?
Montana rule: 30 days after termination (10 days if no deductions).
Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Montana?
No. Montana state law does not require landlords to pay interest on security deposits. Some cities have their own rules.
How much notice must a landlord give before entering a rental in Montana?
Montana rule: 24 hours' notice.
Where do the Montana rules for residential leases come from?
They come from MCA 70-25-202 List of damages and refund and MCA 70-24-312 Access to premises by landlord. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
How Montana compares
Montana is one of 21 jurisdictions with no statewide cap. Its 30-day return deadline is the same as the most common deadline of 30 days; 15 jurisdictions require a faster return.
What this means in practice
Landlords: state the deposit amount, where it is held and how it will be returned in the lease, and send the refund with any deductions in writing within the deadline.
Tenants: record the unit's condition with photos and a move-in checklist, keep your receipts, and give the landlord a forwarding address in writing when you move out.
Both sides: normal wear and tear is generally not deductible. Disputes over deductions usually go to small claims court.
General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.