Last updated: April 2026
Billings renters are protected by Montana's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act — covering security deposits, habitability, anti-retaliation, and eviction procedures. There is no rent control in Billings or anywhere in Montana.
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Billings is Montana's largest city, with roughly 120,000 residents and a substantial renter population in Yellowstone County. As the economic hub of the eastern half of the state, Billings has an active rental market spanning downtown apartments, suburban homes, and manufactured housing communities. Renters here commonly search for information about security deposit returns, rent increases, and what steps a landlord must take before beginning eviction.
All landlord-tenant relationships in Billings are governed by Montana's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (MCA Title 70, Chapter 24) and the Montana Security Deposit Act (MCA Title 70, Chapter 25). These statutes set clear rules on habitability, notice requirements, retaliation, and tenant remedies. Billings has not enacted any local ordinances that add to or modify these state-level protections.
This page summarizes the key protections available to Billings renters under Montana law. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have a specific legal dispute, contact a licensed Montana attorney or a legal aid organization.
Billings has no rent control ordinance, and Montana state law does not cap how much a landlord may charge or increase rent. Montana's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (MCA § 70-24-101 et seq.) establishes the framework for the landlord-tenant relationship statewide but contains no provision limiting rent amounts or annual increases.
Unlike some states that expressly preempt local rent regulation by statute, Montana has simply never enacted rent control at either the state or local level, and no Montana city has adopted such an ordinance. In practice, this means a Billings landlord may raise the rent by any amount, at any frequency, as long as they provide proper written notice before the increase takes effect. For a month-to-month tenancy, that means at least 30 days' written notice prior to the change (MCA § 70-24-441). For a fixed-term lease, the rent generally cannot be changed until the lease term expires unless the lease itself permits mid-term increases.
While renters have no legal protection against rent increases in Billings, they do retain strong protections in other areas — including security deposit recovery, habitability, and anti-retaliation — described in the sections below.
Montana's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (MCA Title 70, Chapter 24) and the Montana Security Deposit Act (MCA Title 70, Chapter 25) together provide Billings renters with meaningful protections in the following areas:
Habitability (MCA § 70-24-303): Landlords must maintain rental units in a habitable condition throughout the tenancy. This includes functioning heating, plumbing, and electrical systems; weatherproofing; structurally safe premises; and compliance with applicable building and housing codes. Failure to meet these standards gives tenants specific remedies outlined below.
Repairs & Tenant Remedies (MCA § 70-24-406): If a landlord fails to make a required repair after receiving written notice, the tenant must allow a reasonable time — up to 14 days for non-emergency issues — for the landlord to act. If the landlord does not act, the tenant may: (1) have the repair made and deduct the cost from rent, up to $300 or one-half of one month's rent, whichever is greater; or (2) terminate the lease. Emergency conditions that endanger health or safety allow for a shorter notice period.
Security Deposits (MCA §§ 70-25-101 to 70-25-206): See the dedicated Security Deposit section below for full details on caps, deadlines, and penalties.
Notice to Terminate Month-to-Month Tenancy (MCA § 70-24-441): Either the landlord or tenant may terminate a month-to-month tenancy by providing at least 30 days' written notice before the next rent due date. A landlord who fails to give proper notice cannot proceed with eviction.
Anti-Retaliation Protection (MCA § 70-24-431): A landlord may not increase rent, decrease services, or bring or threaten to bring an eviction action against a tenant in retaliation for: reporting a code violation or habitability problem to a government agency; complaining to the landlord about a condition affecting habitability; or organizing or joining a tenant organization. A retaliatory action within 60 days of protected activity is presumed retaliatory, shifting the burden to the landlord to prove otherwise.
Lockout & Utility Shutoff Prohibition (MCA § 70-24-411): Self-help eviction is illegal in Montana. A landlord who changes the locks, removes doors or windows, or deliberately shuts off utilities to force a tenant out may be liable for the tenant's actual damages. Removal can only occur through the court-ordered eviction process.
Security deposits in Billings are governed exclusively by Montana's Security Deposit Act (MCA Title 70, Chapter 25). There is no statutory cap on the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit in Montana, meaning a Billings landlord can set the deposit at any amount agreed upon in the lease.
Return Deadlines (MCA § 70-25-202): After the tenancy ends and the tenant vacates and returns keys, the landlord must:
Permissible Deductions: A landlord may only deduct for unpaid rent, damages beyond normal wear and tear, and other costs specifically authorized in the lease (MCA § 70-25-201). Deductions for ordinary wear and tear — such as minor scuffs, carpet wear from regular use, or faded paint — are not permitted.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding (MCA § 70-25-202): If a landlord wrongfully withholds all or part of a deposit — by failing to return it within the deadline or making improper deductions — the tenant is entitled to recover: the amount wrongfully withheld, plus damages equal to $100 or 25% of the monthly rent, whichever is greater. Tenants may bring a claim in Montana small claims court (limited to $7,000) for amounts within that range.
Practical Tips: Document the unit's condition with dated photos at move-in and move-out, obtain a written receipt for your deposit, and provide a forwarding address in writing so the landlord can return the deposit within the legal deadline.
Billings landlords must follow the court-ordered eviction process set out in Montana's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (MCA Title 70, Chapter 24). There is no just-cause eviction requirement in Montana; however, landlords must provide proper written notice and cannot use self-help methods to remove a tenant.
Step 1 — Written Notice: The type and duration of required notice depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing for Eviction (Forcible Entry and Detainer): If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an eviction (Forcible Entry and Detainer) action in Yellowstone County Justice Court or District Court. The tenant is served with a summons and complaint and has the right to appear and contest the eviction.
Step 3 — Hearing: The court schedules a hearing, typically within a few days to two weeks of filing. Tenants may raise defenses such as improper notice, retaliation, or habitability issues. If the court rules for the landlord, it issues a writ of possession.
Step 4 — Writ of Possession & Removal: Only a law enforcement officer may enforce a writ of possession and physically remove a tenant. A landlord who attempts to remove a tenant without a writ risks civil liability.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal (MCA § 70-24-411): A landlord may not change locks, remove doors or windows, shut off utilities, or take any other action to force a tenant out without a court order. Tenants subjected to self-help eviction may sue for actual damages.
No. Billings has no rent control ordinance, and Montana state law does not limit how much landlords may charge or increase rent. Montana's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (MCA § 70-24-101) governs landlord-tenant relationships statewide but contains no rent control provisions. No Montana city has enacted rent control.
There is no legal limit on rent increases in Billings or anywhere in Montana. A landlord may raise the rent by any amount, but must provide at least 30 days' written notice before the increase takes effect for a month-to-month tenancy (MCA § 70-24-441). For a fixed-term lease, rent generally cannot be increased until the lease term expires unless the lease expressly allows mid-term changes.
Under Montana's Security Deposit Act (MCA § 70-25-202), your landlord must return your full deposit within 10 days if there are no deductions, or return the remaining balance with a written itemized statement of deductions within 30 days. If the landlord wrongfully withholds any portion of your deposit, you are entitled to the withheld amount plus damages of $100 or 25% of your monthly rent, whichever is greater.
The required notice depends on the reason for eviction. For nonpayment of rent, the landlord must give 3 days' written notice to pay or vacate (MCA § 70-24-422). For a material lease violation, 14 days' notice to cure or vacate is required. To terminate a month-to-month tenancy without cause, the landlord must provide at least 30 days' written notice (MCA § 70-24-441). If proper notice is not given, the eviction cannot proceed.
No. Self-help eviction is illegal in Montana. Under MCA § 70-24-411, a landlord may not change your locks, remove doors or windows, shut off utilities, or take any other action designed to force you out without a court order. If your landlord does any of these things, you may be entitled to sue for actual damages. The only lawful way to remove a tenant in Billings is through the court-ordered eviction process.
Under MCA § 70-24-406, you must first notify your landlord in writing of the needed repair. If the landlord fails to act within 14 days (or sooner for an emergency affecting health or safety), you may arrange for the repair yourself and deduct the reasonable cost from rent — up to $300 or one-half of one month's rent, whichever is greater — or you may terminate the lease. You can also contact Billings code enforcement or consult Montana Legal Services Association for additional remedies.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws can change, and the application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation. If you have a specific landlord-tenant dispute or legal question, you should consult a licensed Montana attorney or contact a legal aid organization such as Montana Legal Services Association. Always verify current statutes and local ordinances independently, as laws may have changed after the last updated date shown on this page.
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