House Bill No. [insert bill number] aims to revise laws concerning residential tenants' security deposits in Montana. The bill allows landlords to provide notices to tenants via email and specifies how security deposits may be returned. Notably, it removes the previous requirement for landlords to return security deposits electronically and instead outlines that the return can be made through various forms of payment, including electronic fund transfers, cash, checks, or other methods stated in the rental agreement. Additionally, the bill mandates that landlords must deliver a written list of any deductions from the security deposit to the departing tenant, along with the refund, at the tenant's new address or last-known address if no new address is provided.

The bill also clarifies the process for landlords to deduct cleaning charges from the security deposit, requiring written notice to the tenant detailing the cleaning needed and allowing the tenant 24 hours to address these issues. Furthermore, it states that if a tenant fails to provide a new address upon vacating, the landlord is not liable for the tenant not receiving the funds sent to their last-known address. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage and approval.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 70-25-201, 70-25-202, 70-25-205
HB0444_1(1): 70-25-201, 70-25-202, 70-25-205
HB0444_1(2): 70-25-201, 70-25-202, 70-25-205
HB0444_1(3): 70-25-201, 70-25-202, 70-25-205
HB0444_1(4): 70-25-201, 70-25-202, 70-25-205
HB0444_1(5): 70-25-201, 70-25-202, 70-25-205
HB0444_1: 70-25-201, 70-25-202, 70-25-205
HB0444_2(1): 70-25-201, 70-25-202, 70-25-205
HB0444_2(2): 70-25-201, 70-25-202, 70-25-205
HB0444_2(3): 70-25-201, 70-25-202, 70-25-205
HB0444_2(4): 70-25-201, 70-25-202, 70-25-205
HB0444_2(5): 70-25-201, 70-25-202, 70-25-205
HB0444_2(6): 70-25-201, 70-25-202, 70-25-205
HB0444_2(7): 70-25-201, 70-25-202, 70-25-205
HB0444_2(8): 70-25-201, 70-25-202, 70-25-205
HB0444_2: 70-25-201, 70-25-202, 70-25-205