Rent increases in Montana

Montana has no rent-increase notice statute. A landlord changes the rent in a periodic tenancy by ending it with written notice: 30 days for month-to-month or 7 days for week-to-week. The tenancy ends on the date named, whether or not it is the end of a rent period. Notice sent with a certificate of mailing or by certified mail counts as served 3 days after mailing. (MCA 70-24-441; 70-24-108(1)(d))

No separate rent-increase rule: the periods below are the notice to end a periodic tenancy.

• The notice must be in writing.
• Mailed notice: add 3 days.

Earliest date the new rent can start, with rent due on the 1st, worked out from the Montana rule above:

• For a month-to-month tenant of 1 year raising rent 5% or a month-to-month tenant of 3 years raising rent 12%: Wednesday, December 2, 2026
• For a week-to-week tenant raising rent 5%: Monday, November 9, 2026

No statute addresses rent increases during a fixed-term lease. Rent and term are set by the rental agreement. (MCA 70-24-201)

Local governments with self-government powers may not exercise any power to control the rent charged for private residential or commercial property. They also may not regulate landlords' dealings with tenants beyond what the state landlord-tenant acts provide. (MCA 7-1-111(13), (26))

A landlord may not retaliate by raising rent, cutting services or seeking possession after a tenant complains to a code agency, complains in writing about required repairs, or joins a tenants' union. A complaint within 6 months before the increase creates a rebuttable presumption of retaliation. The presumption does not arise if the complaint came after notice of the proposed increase. (MCA 70-24-431)

• Unless the agreement says otherwise, a tenancy is week to week for a roomer paying weekly rent and month to month in all other cases (MCA 70-24-201(2)(e)).
• If neither party gives 30 days' written notice before a written lease ends and the lease sets no extension period, it continues month to month (MCA 70-24-205).
• Notice to an email address in the rental agreement is complete on a read receipt or a non-automatic reply (MCA 70-24-108(1)(c)).
• 2025 HB 776, which would have required 90 days' notice of changes for some tenancies, died in the 2025 session. The 2025 MCA has no rent-increase notice rule.

Security deposit

No statutory limit. Return deadline: 30 days after the tenancy terminates.

Tenant's notice to move out

30 days

Notice for unpaid rent

3 days (pay or move out)

How a written notice is delivered (eviction-notice rules)

Hand delivery; mail with a certificate of mailing or certified mail to the address the tenant designated (or last-known address); or e-mail to an address in the rental agreement, complete on a read receipt or non-automatic reply (MCA § 70-24-108).

Notice for other lease violations

14 days (fix it or move out)

Small claims court limit

$7,000 — where most deposit and rent disputes are filed.

Repairs

Time to repair: 14 days; urgent: 3 business days. Repair and deduct: allowed with limits; withholding rent: allowed with limits.

Deposit kept wrongly

A landlord who wrongfully withholds is liable for the amount wrongfully withheld; the court may award attorney's fees to the prevailing party (§ 70-25-204). Missing the 30-day list forfeits the right to withhold for damage or cleaning (§ 70-25-203).

Lawful reasons to end a lease early

Military service (state law); Unit unlivable or landlord fails to repair; Landlord harassment or illegal entry

• MCA 70-24-441 Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• MCA 70-24-431 Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• MCA 70-24-108 Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• MCA 70-24-201 Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• MCA 70-24-205 Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• MCA 7-1-111 Retrieved October 15, 2026.

Laws change. This page was checked against the sources above on October 15, 2026. It is legal information, not legal advice; for a dispute, contact your state's legal aid. See our methodology.