Montana deposit disputes often turn on whether the charge is real tenant-caused damage, actual cleaning expense, normal turnover, or unsupported cleanup after move-out.
Plain-English examples
Normal use can look like light scuffs, mild fading, ordinary carpet wear, and routine aging. Damage is different: broken fixtures, heavy stains, missing items, pet damage, or neglect beyond ordinary living.
Cleaning is not automatic
Montana has a specific cleaning-notice rule. Cleaning charges cannot be used for normal cyclical maintenance unless the landlord had to perform it because of tenant negligence. When the rule applies, the landlord must give written notice of what cleaning is missing and give the tenant 24 hours after delivery to complete it.
Move-in proof matters
The move-in condition statement can matter in damage and cleaning disputes. If the landlord required a security deposit and did not provide the required beginning condition statement, the landlord can face a higher burden to recover damage or cleaning sums.
The Montana Recovery System helps you challenge unsupported damage and cleaning deductions without losing the timing and notice issues.
Get the Montana Recovery SystemRelated pages
Important
This page provides general educational information and is not legal advice.