Landlord-tenant law

Montana Landlord-Tenant Laws

Security deposit limits, eviction notice periods, lease termination requirements, and late fee rules for Montana.

Not legal advice. Current as of May 2026. Verify with a local attorney before any compliance decision.

$
Security Deposit Max
No statutory limit
Mont. Code Ann. § 70-25-201
↩
Deposit Return Deadline
10 days (if no deductions); 30 days (if deductions claimed)
Mont. Code Ann. § 70-25-202
!
Non-Payment Eviction Notice
3-day notice to pay or quit
Mont. Code Ann. § 70-24-422(2)
✕
Month-to-Month Termination
30 days
Mont. Code Ann. § 70-24-441
¢
Late Fee Cap
No statutory cap; $20 or 20% of monthly rent (whichever greater) deemed 'reasonable' by courts
⏱
Grace Period
No statutory grace period
Montana specific notes

Montana's dual deposit return timeline (10 vs. 30 days) depends on whether the landlord provided a move-in checklist. If a written cleaning checklist was provided and no deductions apply, the 10-day window applies. Missoula has enacted local just-cause eviction protections — verify for Missoula properties.

FAQ

Common Montana landlord questions

What is the maximum security deposit in Montana?+
No statutory limit. Governed by Mont. Code Ann. § 70-25-201. Deposit must be returned within 10 days (if no deductions); 30 days (if deductions claimed) after the lease ends.
What notice is required to evict a tenant in Montana for non-payment of rent?+
3-day notice to pay or quit. Per Mont. Code Ann. § 70-24-422(2). This is the notice period before a landlord can file an eviction lawsuit.
How much notice to end a month-to-month tenancy in Montana?+
30 days. Per Mont. Code Ann. § 70-24-441. This applies to no-cause terminations of month-to-month leases.
Are late fees regulated in Montana?+
No statutory cap; $20 or 20% of monthly rent (whichever greater) deemed 'reasonable' by courts. Grace period: No statutory grace period. Even where no statutory cap exists, late fees must be reasonable and clearly disclosed in the lease.
References

Authoritative sources for Montana

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Deposit Limits — All 50
Side-by-side max deposit and return deadlines.
Eviction Notice — All 50
Notice periods for non-payment and termination.
Late Fee Laws — All 50
Caps and grace periods.
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