Real Estate Accounting in Bozeman
Bozeman has been one of the fastest-appreciating small markets in the country, and its portfolios mix long-term rentals with seasonal and second-home property. Montana's deposit rules contain a distinction that rewards a clean move-out with a much shorter clock.
Proud AppFolio Stack™ Partners, working directly inside your AppFolio instance.
Montana rules that apply here
- Deposit return deadline
- 10 days clean, 30 days with deductions
- Statute
- MCA 70-25-202
Why Montana Real Estate Professionals Choose REA
AppFolio Expertise, Applied to Bozeman
Experts in AppFolio Bookkeeping
Montana runs two deadlines rather than one. Where inspection finds no damage, no cleaning required and no unpaid rent, and the tenant can show no unpaid utilities, the deposit must be returned within 10 days. Where deductions are being made, the landlord has 30 days to provide the written list of rent due and damage and cleaning charges. Most operators run everything on the 30-day assumption and are late on every clean move-out without realising there was a different rule.
Assigned, Responsive Team
That makes the inspection outcome a scheduling input, not just a financial one. A unit that comes back clean has to be identified quickly, because the clock on it is a third as long. We separate the two paths at inspection rather than processing all move-outs on one cycle.
Accurate Monthly Bookkeeping
Montana is also explicit that itemisation means substance. A line reading cleaning and an amount is not an itemisation; the charge has to describe what was done and what it cost. In a market with high-value furnished and seasonal units, where cleaning and wear charges are larger than average, that distinction is where disputes are won or lost.
Deposit Compliance for Bozeman Portfolios
MCA 70-25-202
Montana runs TWO deadlines. Where inspection finds no damage, no cleaning required and no unpaid rent, and the tenant can demonstrate no unpaid utilities, the deposit must be returned within 10 DAYS. Where deductions are made, the landlord has 30 days to provide a written list of rent due and damage and cleaning charges, delivered with payment of any difference. Operators who run everything on the 30-day assumption are late on every clean move-out.
Montana's itemisation standard is descriptive rather than categorical. A line reading cleaning with an amount is not an itemisation; the charge must describe the work performed and its cost. That makes the inspection record and the supporting invoice part of the compliance file rather than internal documentation, and it makes the decision to charge at all a deliberate one, since any deduction moves the tenancy off the 10-day path.
All Montana requirementsHow we keep you inside it
- Deposit liabilities tracked per tenant in AppFolio, so a 10 days clean, 30 days with deductions deadline is answerable from the ledger
- Trust accounts reconciled three ways every month
- Deduction documentation recorded against the correct ledger
- Aging deposits flagged before the statutory window closes
Appfolio Bookkeeping Services from REA
Available to Bozeman Operators
Trust Bookkeeping
Leverage Appfolio's powerful bookkeeping capabilities with REA's tailored service.
See how it worksCorporate Bookkeeping
REA's skilled team, in combination with Appfolio's comprehensive toolset, addresses the complexity of your corporate financial activities.
See how it worksBank Reconciliations
Employing Appfolio's state-of-the-art system, REA offers bank reconciliation services that brings meticulous accuracy to your finances.
See how it worksFinancial Diagnostic Cleanup
REA utilizes Appfolio's advanced diagnostic tools to swiftly and effectively troubleshoot financial anomalies.
See how it worksTrust Compliance
REA pairs its accounting prowess with Appfolio's detailed reporting to deliver comprehensive Trust Compliance Verification services.
See how it worksAppFolio Accounting & Bookkeeping Services
For Bozeman Portfolios
- Process Review & Set Up
- Bank Reconciliations
- AP / AR
- Accurate NOI, Balance Sheets
- Recording HUD's & Accruals
- Owner Distributions
- Monthly Statements & Reports
- Management Fees
- Corporate Bookkeeping
- Tenant Chargebacks
Take the Whole Close, or One Function
Bozeman operators use REA for the full monthly close or for the single function that has become a bottleneck. Each one is performed inside your AppFolio instance.
Trust Accounting
Compliant, audit-ready trust funds
Learn moreBank Reconciliation Services
Three-way reconciliation, every account
Learn moreAccounts Payable & Receivable
Bills paid, rent collected, owners paid
Learn moreBookkeeping Cleanup & Catch-Up
Back books fixed and current
Learn moreCAM Reconciliation
Annual commercial true-ups
Learn moreExperts In All Property Types
- Single-Family
- Multifamily
- Student Housing
- Affordable Housing
- Community Associations
- Commercial
Experts In All Property Types
Residential, commercial and everything in between. The asset class changes what the books have to prove, and our teams are staffed accordingly.
- Single-Family
- Multifamily
- Student Housing
- Affordable Housing
- Community AssociationsSee the page
- CommercialSee the page
Check Out What Our Clients Have To Say About Us
Property Managers, Investors & Owner Operators
Real Estate Accounting truly is a special company. They helped as if they were a part of our company, with the concern and caution as an employee would have, but even more. They quickly ascertained our needs and developed an effective team to help with our accounting needs. They were extremely responsive and always accurate. I would recommend their services to anyone who needs help with their property management accounting.
Adam the owner took a personal interest in my situation and was willing to work with me to see if his company was a good fit. I may be too small for them but I would highly recommend them to anyone considering a bookkeeper for their property management business.
Following a series of erroneous financials from my previous bookkeeper, who lacked expertise in real estate, it's been truly remarkable to receive not only accurate financials on a consistent basis but also proactive advice without prompting. The REA team is a game-changer in real estate accounting!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the deposit deadline in Montana 30 days?
Only when you are making deductions. If inspection finds no damage, no cleaning needed and no unpaid rent or utilities, the deposit must be returned within 10 days. Running everything on 30 days makes you late on every clean move-out.
How does that change our process?
The inspection result becomes a scheduling decision. Clean move-outs go on a much shorter clock, so they have to be identified and separated immediately rather than processed on one monthly cycle.
What counts as proper itemisation?
A description of what was done and what it cost, not a category and a number. Cleaning with an amount is not itemisation; the specific work with its cost is.
More in Montana
Other Montana markets, the platforms we work in, and the functions available on their own.
AppFolio Bookkeeping for Bozeman
Schedule a call and we will review your AppFolio setup, your Montana deposit handling, and what it takes to close clean every month.