In Montana, a landlord cannot keep deposit money just because the unit needed ordinary turnover. The deduction needs to fit the statute and the written record.
Deductions Montana supports
Montana supports deductions for:
- tenant-caused damage
- unpaid rent
- late charges
- utilities
- penalties due under lease provisions
- other money owing to the landlord at the time of deduction
- actual cleaning expenses
Cleaning deductions need special attention
Cleaning charges may not be deducted for normal cyclical maintenance unless the landlord is forced to perform it because of tenant negligence. When the statute requires it, the landlord must give written notice describing what cleaning was not done and what is needed to return the premises to its rented condition. After delivery, the tenant has 24 hours to complete the required cleaning.
If the tenant failed to notify intent to vacate or vacated without notice, the landlord can be relieved of that cleaning-notice requirement.
Written list and condition statement
If the landlord fails to provide the required written list of damage and cleaning charges, Montana can forfeit the landlord's right to withhold for those damage or cleaning charges.
The move-in condition statement also matters. If the landlord required a security deposit and failed to provide the required beginning condition statement, the landlord can be barred from recovering damage or cleaning sums unless the landlord meets the clear-and-convincing-evidence standard.
Sources used for this guide
- MCA 70-25-201 - Security deposit deductions
- MCA 70-25-203 - Forfeiture of deduction rights
- MCA 70-25-206 - Condition statement
Source reviewed: April 2026.
Use the Montana letter sequence to ask for the written list, cleaning notice, condition-statement support, and deposit balance still owed.
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Important
This page provides general educational information and is not legal advice.