Cal. Civ. Code § 70-25-205
Failure Of Departing Tenant To Furnish New Address
Operative Text
Failure by the departing tenant to provide the landlord with a new address in writing upon termination of the tenancy or upon surrender and acceptance of the leasehold premises, whichever occurs first, does not bar the tenant from recovering the amount owing to the tenant by the landlord.
Under Mont. Code Ann. § 70-25-205, a tenant who moves out without giving the landlord a written forwarding address does not automatically lose the right to recover any money the landlord owes them—such as a security deposit refund. The rule removes what might otherwise be a procedural barrier, ensuring that a tenant's failure to provide a new address in writing cannot be used as a complete defense by a landlord who owes money. The provision applies at the moment the tenancy ends or when the premises are surrendered and accepted, whichever comes first.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Mont. Code Ann. § 70-25-205, landlords cannot rely on a departing tenant's failure to provide a written forwarding address as a reason to withhold funds that are otherwise owed. Compliant operators generally track their obligations to return deposits or other amounts independently of whether a forwarding address was received. Maintaining clear records of move-out dates, surrender of premises, and any amounts owed helps landlords demonstrate compliance regardless of whether the tenant supplied a new address.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Mont. Code Ann. § 70-25-205 protects tenants by making clear that not providing a written forwarding address when leaving a rental does not forfeit any money a landlord owes you, such as a security deposit. If a landlord refuses to return funds by claiming they had no address to send payment to, this provision indicates that argument alone does not bar a tenant's claim. Tenants who believe money is being improperly withheld may consider contacting a local tenant-rights organization or consulting with a legal aid office to understand available options under Montana law.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 22, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.