Move-In / Move-Out Checklist in Montana

Record the condition of each room on move-in and again on move-out, with photos. It is the best evidence in a security deposit dispute. Some states require a move-in condition form.

What Montana law says

Itemized deductions	Landlord must give the departing tenant a written list of rent due and damage/cleaning charges, with any refund, within 30 days. Failure to provide the list forfeits all rights to withhold any part of the deposit for damage or cleaning. Cleaning deductions require prior written notice listing the cleaning needed; the tenant then has 24 hours to do it. Allowed deductions: damage, unpaid rent, late charges, utilities, lease penalties and other money owed, and actual cleaning costs plus a reasonable charge for landlord labor (§ 70-25-201(1)). Either party may request an inspection within 1 week before the tenancy ends (§ 70-25-201(2)). Cleaning-notice rules amended 2023 and 2025 (notice may be left at the unit plus email/phone/text if tenant leaves without notice). Source: Mont. Code Ann. §§ 70-25-201(3), 70-25-202, 70-25-203
Wear and tear / move-out charges	No standalone definition of 'normal wear and tear.' Deductible 'damage' is tangible loss, injury, or deterioration caused by willful or accidental acts or omissions of the tenant or the tenant's family, licensees, or invitees. 'Cleaning expenses' are actual and necessary cleaning costs not attributable to normal wear. Cleaning charges may not be imposed for normal cyclical maintenance the landlord noted at move-in, and require prior written notice giving the tenant 24 hours to do the cleaning. Deductions for anything other than the purposes listed in § 70-25-201 are prohibited (§ 70-25-201(4)). Routine repainting or carpet replacement noted as cyclical maintenance at move-in cannot be charged unless required by tenant negligence. Source: Mont. Code Ann. §§ 70-25-101(1)-(2), 70-25-201(1), (3)

Itemized deductions

Landlord must give the departing tenant a written list of rent due and damage/cleaning charges, with any refund, within 30 days. Failure to provide the list forfeits all rights to withhold any part of the deposit for damage or cleaning. Cleaning deductions require prior written notice listing the cleaning needed; the tenant then has 24 hours to do it.

Allowed deductions: damage, unpaid rent, late charges, utilities, lease penalties and other money owed, and actual cleaning costs plus a reasonable charge for landlord labor (§ 70-25-201(1)). Either party may request an inspection within 1 week before the tenancy ends (§ 70-25-201(2)). Cleaning-notice rules amended 2023 and 2025 (notice may be left at the unit plus email/phone/text if tenant leaves without notice).

Source: Mont. Code Ann. §§ 70-25-201(3), 70-25-202, 70-25-203

Wear and tear / move-out charges

No standalone definition of 'normal wear and tear.' Deductible 'damage' is tangible loss, injury, or deterioration caused by willful or accidental acts or omissions of the tenant or the tenant's family, licensees, or invitees. 'Cleaning expenses' are actual and necessary cleaning costs not attributable to normal wear. Cleaning charges may not be imposed for normal cyclical maintenance the landlord noted at move-in, and require prior written notice giving the tenant 24 hours to do the cleaning.

Deductions for anything other than the purposes listed in § 70-25-201 are prohibited (§ 70-25-201(4)). Routine repainting or carpet replacement noted as cyclical maintenance at move-in cannot be charged unless required by tenant negligence.

Source: Mont. Code Ann. §§ 70-25-101(1)-(2), 70-25-201(1), (3)

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MOVE-IN / MOVE-OUT CONDITION CHECKLIST — [rental address]

Tenant: [tenant name] Landlord: [landlord name]

Move-in date: [move-in date] Move-out date: [move-out date]

Living room — walls, floors, windows, lights: move-in ____________ / move-out ____________

Kitchen — appliances, cabinets, sink, counters: move-in ____________ / move-out ____________

Bathroom(s) — toilet, tub/shower, sink, fan: move-in ____________ / move-out ____________

Bedroom(s) — walls, floors, closets, windows: move-in ____________ / move-out ____________

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms tested: move-in ______ / move-out ______ Keys given: [number of keys]

Photos taken on: [photo dates]. Signed by tenant ____________ and landlord ____________

Move-In / Move-Out Checklist for other states · Montana tenant rights

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.