This page covers state law only. Cities with their own rules have their own pages.
Montana lawIn force
Montana residential security deposits: permitted deductions and refund deadlines
How big can the deposit be?
Montana law sets no maximum deposit.
It comes back within 30 days with a written list of deductions, or within 10 days if nothing is kept.
Who it covers
Exemptions: Refund timing section does not apply if a rental agreement is terminated under 70-24-427 or 70-33-427 and the landlord has a pending claim filed in court.
The law, word for word
“A person may not deduct or withhold from the security deposit any amount for purposes other than those set forth in this section …”
Mont. Code Ann. § 70-25-201 · mca.legmt.gov · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026