Montana

Montana Landlord-Tenant Laws

Security deposit limits, eviction notices, rent control, and more for Montana.

How we research these summaries

Every rule on this page is drawn from state statutes and municipal codes and summarized with AI assistance. Each one cites the statute it's based on and links to a published text of that law so you can read it firsthand. Where a page says a city or county has no local rule on a topic, that means none was found for the topics covered here — not that none exists. Local governments also regulate rental housing in ways these pages don't track, including registration, licensing, inspections and habitability standards. These summaries may be incomplete or out of date, laws change often, and every property and tenancy has specifics a summary can't capture — so treat this as a starting point for your own research, not as legal advice, and check with the local jurisdiction and a qualified attorney before acting on your particular situation.

What to Know in Montana

Sources last checked September 2026

Montana sets no statutory cap on security deposits, leaving landlords free to charge any amount they consider reasonable, and requires deposits back within 30 days of move-out under MCA §§ 70-25-201 and -202. Rent increases on a month-to-month tenancy need only 15 days' written notice before the current month ends, under MCA § 70-26-109 — shorter than the 30-day notice Montana requires to terminate that same tenancy. Nonpayment eviction requires just a 3-day notice to pay or vacate, and Montana has no rent control at the state or local level.

3-day notice required before eviction for nonpayment of rent
A landlord may not retaliate by increasing rent, decreasing services, or bringing or threatening a possession action after a tenant makes a qualifying governmental or written...
If rent is unpaid when due, the landlord may terminate only after giving written notice of the nonpayment and the intention to terminate and allowing the tenant three days after...
30-day move-out notice required for month-to-month tenancies

4 rules summarized · Each linked to the law it cites

Eviction Notice Requirements

What are the eviction notice requirements in Montana?

Montana requires specific written notice before a landlord may terminate a tenancy. For nonpayment of rent, the landlord must provide a 3-day written notice to pay or vacate. For curable lease violations, a 14-day notice to cure or quit is required. For serious or repeated violations (such as unauthorized occupants or verbal abuse), a 3-day unconditional quit notice applies. For month-to-month tenancies terminated without cause, at least 30 days' written notice is required. After notice expires without compliance, the landlord may file a formal eviction action in Montana district or justice court.

MCA § 70-24-422, § 70-24-441

Last checked Jul 2026

Eviction Notice Requirements

What are the eviction notice requirements in Montana?

A landlord may not retaliate by increasing rent, decreasing services, or bringing or threatening a possession action after a tenant makes a qualifying governmental or written landlord complaint about a health-and-safety violation or organizes or joins a tenant organization. A qualifying complaint made within six months before the alleged retaliation creates a rebuttable presumption, unless the complaint was made after notice of the proposed rent increase or service reduction. Statutory exceptions include tenant-caused code violations, rent default, and required alteration, remodeling, or demolition.

Mont. Code Ann. § 70-24-431

Last checked Sep 2026

Eviction Notice Requirements

What are the eviction notice requirements in Montana?

If rent is unpaid when due, the landlord may terminate only after giving written notice of the nonpayment and the intention to terminate and allowing the tenant three days after written notice to pay. If payment is not made within that period, the landlord may terminate and require the tenant to vacate.

Mont. Code Ann. § 70-24-422(2)

Last checked Sep 2026

Move-Out & Lease Termination Notice

What is the move-out notice requirement in Montana?

Under MCA § 70-24-441, either a landlord or tenant may terminate a month-to-month tenancy by giving at least 30 days' written notice before the date of termination. For week-to-week tenancies, at least 7 days' written notice is required. Fixed-term leases terminate automatically at the end of the lease period unless renewed. The notice must be in writing and clearly state the date on which the tenancy will end. Written notice may include handwritten letters, texts, or emails that sufficiently communicate the termination.

MCA § 70-24-441

Last checked Jul 2026

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