IL
IntelligentLandlord
HomeState LawsMontana
Balanced · Rank #30 of 51

Montana
Landlord Laws
2026 Complete Guide

Everything a landlord needs to know about Montana law — eviction process, security deposits, entry rights, rent control status, and local court resources.

6
out of 10 · Balanced
📋
Notice Period
3 days
⏱️
Full Eviction
~40 days
💰
Deposit Max
None
🔑
Entry Notice
24 hrs
💳
Late Fee Cap
None
Rent Control
No
Live Market Data · RentCast

Montana Rental Market

Current rents by bedroom · top metro breakdowns · YoY trend

Mar 29, 2026
1 Bedroom
$1,251
2 Bedrooms
$1,454
3 Bedrooms
$1,925
YoY Trend
-12.7%
Days on Market
25d
Helena
59601
1BR$1,200
2BR$1,475
3BR$1,900
YoY
-1.6%
DOM
31.96d
Listings
152
Billings W
59102
1BR$1,302
2BR$1,433
3BR$1,950
YoY
-23.8%
DOM
17.39d
Listings
186

Montana Eviction Process

Complete timeline for removing a non-paying or violating tenant in Montana

01
Serve Notice
3-day written notice for non-payment of rent. Must be delivered personally or posted on door.
02
File Complaint
If tenant fails to pay or vacate after 3 days, file an eviction complaint at your local court. Filing fee: $30–$100.
03
Court Hearing
Hearing typically scheduled 7–14 days after filing. Bring your lease, all notices, rent ledger, and any communications with the tenant.
04
Judgment & Possession
If you win, the court issues a judgment for possession. Tenant typically has 24–72 hours to vacate. If not, obtain a writ of possession.
ESTIMATED TOTAL TIMELINE
Filing + Hearing (14d)
7d
Writ (16d)
Average total: 40 days from notice to possession. US average is ~50 days.

Security Deposit Rules

Montana security deposit laws, limits, and return requirements

💰
Maximum Deposit
None
Per current statutes
📅
Return Deadline
14–45 days
After tenant vacates
📋
Itemization Required
Yes
Written itemization of deductions
📈
Interest Required
No
Required in some high-reg states

Rights & Responsibilities

What both parties are entitled to under Montana law

✅ Landlord Rights
No deposit cap
No rent control
⚖️ Tenant Rights
Habitable conditions
24-hr entry notice

Required Disclosures

Items you must disclose to tenants in Montana before or at lease signing

📄 Lead paint
📄 Move-in checklist required

Rent Control Status

Montana rent increase and rent control laws

No Rent Control in Montana
Montana has no statewide rent control law. You can raise rents by any amount with proper notice (typically 30 days for month-to-month, or at lease end for fixed terms).

Montana Landlord FAQs

Common questions answered — also powers Google rich results

How long does eviction take in Montana?+
The average eviction timeline in Montana is 40 days from notice to possession. The pay-or-quit notice period is 3 days. Filing fee is $30–$100.
What is the security deposit limit in Montana?+
In Montana, the security deposit maximum is None. Landlords must return the deposit with an itemized statement of deductions.
Does Montana have rent control?+
No. Montana has no statewide rent control. You can raise rents by any amount with proper notice — typically 30 days for month-to-month tenancies.
How much entry notice is required in Montana?+
Landlords in Montana must provide at least 24 hours written notice before entering a rental unit.

Compare Similar States

States with comparable landlord-friendliness scores

Alaska
6
45d eviction · 2 months
Delaware
5
60d eviction · 1 month (after 1yr)
Iowa
6
35d eviction · 2 months
Kansas
7
28d eviction · 1 month (unfurnished)
← All StatesEviction Resources →