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Free letter · Montana · updated 2026

Montana Security Deposit Return Letter (Itemized Statement)

The itemized statement Montana requires when you keep any part of a deposit — due within 10 days under MCA § 70-25-202 — generated from the deposit settlement in your ledger, with every deduction, the refund and the statute already in it.

Settle a deposit & send the statement — free →What must be in it? ↓
Free forever · emailed with a delivery record · reviewed against Montana Code Annotated, Title 70, Chapter 24 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act)
10 daysReturn deadline10 days (no deductions); 30 days (with deductions)
No limitMaximum depositNo statutory limit
NoInterest owedNo
RequiredItemized statementRequired

What applies to your Montana move-out?

Pick the situation; the rule on each card is Montana's statutory minimum — your lease can be more generous to the tenant, never less.

10days
Deductions takenSend the itemized list and the balance within 10 days. Normal wear and tear is never deductible; unpaid rent, damage beyond wear, and charges the lease allows are.Generated in-app from the settlement
10days
Full refundNo deductions to list, but the refund itself is still due within the same period. The statement is your proof of the date.Generated in-app from the settlement
Still due
No forwarding addressMontana does not pause the clock for a missing address: send to the last known address and keep proof of the attempt.Reference
No
Interest on the depositMontana does not require interest on a residential deposit — the amount returned is the amount held, less deductions.Reference

What a Montana deposit statement must contain

✓
Tenant name(s) and the rental addressPlus the date the tenant surrendered the premises — that is when the 10 days start.
✓
The deposit held, including pet depositsThe full amount received at move-in, so the math adds up from the tenant's side.
✓
Each deduction, described and priced"Damage" is not enough; "carpet replacement, bedroom 2, tenant-caused stain — $240" is. Attach receipts or estimates.MCA § 70-25-202
✓
The balance refunded (or owed)If deductions exceed the deposit, the statement doubles as the demand for the difference.
✓
Sent to the forwarding address, on timeMail it to the address the tenant gave; keep the date and the method. 10 days (no deductions); 30 days (with deductions).
✓
Landlord signature and dateAnd a copy on file with the lease — the court asks for it if the tenant sues.auto-logged

How it works

1 · Settle the depositAccounting → Deposit Disposition → Settle. Deposit held is pulled from the lease; add each deduction with a description and amount.
2 · Review the statementThe Montana deadline, the statute and the deduction list are filled in. Add the forwarding address and receipts.
3 · Send and keep the recordEmailed to the tenant and downloadable for mailing; date, method and the PDF are logged with the tenant — the ledger posts the refund at the same time.

Montana deposit return FAQ

How long does a Montana landlord have to return a security deposit?

10 days (no deductions); 30 days (with deductions) (MCA § 70-25-202).

What can I deduct from the deposit in Montana?

Unpaid rent and charges the lease allows, and damage beyond normal wear and tear. Not routine cleaning, repainting, or carpet wear from ordinary use. Each deduction must be itemized.

Is there a limit on the deposit in Montana?

No — Montana sets no statutory maximum on a residential security deposit; the lease sets the amount.

Do I owe interest on the deposit?

No.

What if the deductions are more than the deposit?

The statement shows the balance owed and the tenant is liable for it. The in-app settlement posts the difference to accounts receivable so it is not forgotten.

Other Montana landlord documents

Montana lease agreementEvery state disclosure built in Montana eviction notice3 days for non-payment Move-out inspection checklistCondition report with photos Deposit limits by stateCalculator

Montana landlord-tenant laws · Montana lease template · Deposit return letters for all 50 states

Settle the deposit and send the Montana statement in one step

Deductions, refund, deadline and the statute filled in from your ledger. Free.

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Deadlines and rules are Montana's statutory minimums as of 2026, reviewed against Montana Code Annotated, Title 70, Chapter 24 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act). General information for landlords, not legal advice; local ordinances can add requirements.

All free landlord forms and templates

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