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MontanaHB 44469th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Generally revise tenant landlord laws

Sponsored By: Paul Tuss (Democrat)

Signed by Governor

Landlord and Tenant

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Faster, electronic deposit returns for renters

Within 30 days after your lease ends or you surrender the place, the landlord must send a written, itemized list of any rent due, damages, and cleaning charges and return any remaining deposit. If there are no damages or cleaning and no unpaid rent, and you show there are no unpaid utilities, the landlord must return your full deposit within 10 days. Refunds can be sent by bank transfer, cash, check, or by mail to your new or last-known address. The list must follow state notice rules. It is not wrongful withholding if the refund is mailed to your last-known address and you do not receive it, but the landlord still owes you the money. If your rental was ended under sections 70-24-427 or 70-33-427 and the landlord has a pending court claim, the 30-day and 10-day deadlines do not apply. The law also removes a past rule that protected tenants who failed to give a new address. This law is now in effect.

Tighter rules on renters' deposit deductions

The law sets what landlords can take from a security deposit: damage you caused; unpaid rent or late fees; utilities; lease penalties; other money you owe; and actual cleaning costs with a reasonable labor charge. The landlord may inspect the unit in the last week before move-out. They cannot charge for normal routine maintenance noted when you moved in, unless your negligence caused it. Before taking cleaning money, the landlord must give you a written notice that lists what was not cleaned and the amount and type of cleaning needed. After you get that notice, you have 24 hours to finish the cleaning. Certified mail counts as delivered after 3 days. If you leave without telling the landlord, they may deduct cleaning costs without prior notice or post a notice and email, text, or call you, which counts as delivered. Landlords cannot deduct for anything not on this legal list. This law is now in effect.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Paul Tuss

    Democrat • House

Cosponsors

  • Daniel Zolnikov

    Republican • Senate

  • Mike Cuffe

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 511 • No: 34

House vote • 4/17/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 93 • No: 6

House vote • 4/16/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 99 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/12/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 50 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/9/2025

Do Pass As Amended

Yes: 45 • No: 5

Senate vote • 4/9/2025

AMD-HB0444.002.001 Usher D/PASS

Yes: 28 • No: 22

House vote • 3/1/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 97 • No: 0

House vote • 2/28/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 99 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/16/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/12/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    5/5/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    5/2/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    5/1/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/23/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/18/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading Senate Amendments

    4/17/2025House

  9. 2nd Reading Senate Amendments

    4/16/2025House

  10. Returned to House with Amendments

    4/12/2025Senate

  11. 3rd Reading

    4/12/2025Senate

  12. 2nd Reading

    4/9/2025Senate

  13. 2nd Reading Motion to Amend

    4/9/2025Senate

  14. Committee Report

    3/25/2025Senate

  15. Committee Executive Action

    3/24/2025Senate

  16. Referred to Committee

    3/4/2025Senate

  17. 1st Reading

    3/3/2025Senate

  18. 3rd Reading

    3/1/2025House

  19. 2nd Reading

    2/28/2025House

  20. Committee Report

    2/24/2025House

  21. Committee Executive Action

    2/24/2025House

  22. Hearing

    2/12/2025House

  23. 1st Reading

    2/11/2025House

  24. Referred to Committee

    2/11/2025House

  25. Introduced

    2/10/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/22/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 3)

    4/9/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    2/24/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/10/2025

    PDF

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