Montana's deadline is not just "30 days after move-out." The timing turns on termination, surrender and acceptance, and whether the clean 10-day branch applies.
The 30-day rule
The landlord generally must provide the departing tenant with a written list of any rent due and any damage or cleaning charges, together with any refund balance, within 30 days after termination of the tenancy or within 30 days after surrender and acceptance of the premises, whichever occurs first.
The 10-day rule
If there are no damages, no cleaning required, no unpaid rent, and the tenant can demonstrate that no utilities are unpaid, the landlord must return the deposit within 10 days.
That means utilities proof can matter. Save final utility confirmations, account screenshots, receipts, or written confirmation if you have them.
Mailing address
Give your new mailing or forwarding address in writing and keep proof. Montana allows delivery to the new address you provide or, if no new address is provided, to your last-known address. Failure to provide the new address does not bar recovery of the amount owing, but it can complicate the mailing-proof story.
Cleaning notice timing
If cleaning charges are claimed, ask whether the landlord gave the written cleaning notice and 24-hour chance to complete cleaning, unless the statutory exception applies because the tenant failed to give notice of intent to vacate or vacated without notice.
Sources used for this guide
- MCA 70-25-201 - Security deposit deductions
- MCA 70-25-202 - List of damages and refund
- MCA 70-25-203 - Forfeiture of deduction rights
Source reviewed: April 2026.
The Montana Recovery System keeps the 30-day rule, 10-day branch, address proof, cleaning notice, and written-list demand in order.
Get the Montana Recovery SystemRelated pages
- Montana demand-letter guide
- Montana statute guide
- What Montana landlords can deduct
- Move-out checklist
Important
This page provides general educational information and is not legal advice.