Montana requires landlords to provide an itemized deduction statement within 30 days. Learn what's required and what to do if your landlord didn't comply.
Analyze My Montana Claim (Free)Law verified March 11, 2026
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Check My DepositMontana law requires your landlord to provide an itemized written statement of any deductions within 30 days, separate from the 10-day deadline to return the deposit itself. This means there are two distinct deadlines to track. Missing either one can strengthen your claim.
Montana has two distinct deadlines: 10 days to return the deposit itself, and 30 days to provide the itemized statement. Missing either triggers violations.
Itemization
Montana law requires your landlord to provide an itemized written statement of any deductions within 30 days, separate from the 10-day deadline to return the deposit itself. This means there are two distinct deadlines to track. Missing either one can strengthen your claim.
Two deadlines to track: your landlord has 10 days to return the deposit, but only 30 days to provide the itemized statement. Missing either deadline strengthens your claim.
Courts in Montana have generally held that a proper itemization must:
A vague statement such as “cleaning and repairs: $600” typically does not satisfy the requirement. If your landlord's itemization was insufficient, their deductions may be invalid even if the underlying charges were legitimate.
Questions
Your Montana landlord has 10 days after your move-out date to return your security deposit along with an itemized statement of any deductions. This deadline is set by Mont. Code Ann. §70-25-201.
If your landlord misses the 10-day deadline, you can sue in Montana small claims court (up to $7,000) to recover your full deposit plus court costs. While Montana doesn't impose a penalty multiplier, the threat of court often motivates compliance.
No. Montana law under Mont. Code Ann. §70-25-201 explicitly prohibits landlords from deducting for normal wear and tear. This includes faded paint, minor scuffs, small nail holes, and carpet thinning from regular use. Deductions must be for actual damage beyond what normal living causes.
Under Mont. Code Ann. §70-25-201, the itemization must list each specific deduction with a corresponding dollar amount. Vague entries like "repairs: $500" are generally insufficient. Each line item should identify what was damaged and why it was charged.
If your landlord fails to provide the required itemized statement within 30 days, they may lose the right to withhold any portion of your deposit under Mont. Code Ann. §70-25-201. This is true even if some deductions might otherwise have been legitimate.
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