What are the laws governing the refund of a security deposit?

In Montana, the laws governing the refund of a security deposit are laid out in the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. According to the Act, a landlord must refund the security deposit within 30 days of the tenant moving out of the property. The landlord must also provide the tenant with a written statement explaining any deductions made from the security deposit, along with a full refund of the remaining balance. The landlord cannot keep any of the security deposit to cover regular wear and tear of the property. However, the landlord is allowed to deduct from the security deposit to cover the cost of damages that were caused by the tenant or their guests, beyond what is considered normal wear and tear. These damages could include things like holes in the wall, torn carpets, etc. The landlord may also deduct from the security deposit to cover unpaid rent or other fees owed. However, the landlord must still provide the tenant with a written statement detailing the amount and reason for the deduction. If the landlord fails to return the security deposit within the 30-day period, they may be held liable for twice the amount of the security deposit. The tenant should always be sure to take pictures of the property before moving out, to show proof of any pre-existing damage, in case the landlord refuses to return all or part of the security deposit.

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What are the laws governing the refund of a security deposit?

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