Revise security deposit laws to provide tenants more information and time
HB 304 revises residential tenant security deposit laws, directly affecting both landlords and tenants. The bill requires landlords to provide tenants with an itemized written notice of any unaccomplished cleaning and estimated costs before deducting cleaning charges from a security deposit. Tenants are then given 48 hours, extended from 24, to complete the necessary cleaning. Additionally, the bill prohibits landlords from charging a fee for inspecting the cleaning tenants have completed within this timeframe.
Bill status
died
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Jan 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 23, 2025
Last action May 20, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
LC1958.pdf
→
HB0304_1.pdf
·
4 edits
MODERATE
This bill amends Montana's residential tenant security deposit laws to give tenants more time to complete additional cleaning after receiving notice from landlords and to prohibit landlords from charging fees for inspecting cleaning work. The changes clarify cleaning notice requirements and extend the time frame for tenants to address cleaning issues.
Scope change
Applies to all residential rental properties covered by Montana's landlord-tenant chapter
TIMELINE
Extended the time for tenants to complete required cleaning from 24 hours to 48 hours after receiving notice
REQUIREMENT
Added requirement that landlords must provide itemized list of cleaning not accomplished with cost estimates and specific cleaning types needed
Updated notice delivery methods to include e-mail, phone, or text as valid delivery options alongside physical notice
ENFORCEMENT
Prohibited landlords from charging inspection fees for cleaning accomplished by tenants within the 48-hour notice period
Floor votes · House Mar 6, 2025
How they voted
50–48
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 100
Mar 6, 2025
D
Democratic42
95% Yea
R
Republican58
81% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
19
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Amendments
1
Mar 6, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (50-48-2)
house
Feb 6, 2025
Amended
(H) Tabled in Committee - (H) Judiciary
lower
Jan 24, 2025
Committee
(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Judiciary
lower
Jan 23, 2025
Introduced
(H) Introduced
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Jonathan Karlen
DDemocratic
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