Finding a Rental

The Bozeman area has quite a few short-term vacation rentals (less than 30 days).  You will find these listings on the websites: Airbnb.com and Vrbo.com

For Long Term Rentals (more than 30 days) - 
Bozeman has had an effective 0% rental vacancy rate for about 4 years now.  Rental rates have risen $100 - $300 a year over the last 4 years as 5,000 people a year are moving to our valley.  Montana State University continues to set enrollment records close to 17,000 students and after the first year, most students can't wait to get out of the dorms and into a private rental.  And since COVID, this new "work from home" ability is bringing people here from all over America.  There is no easy answer to finding a good rental other than diligent, hard work.  

One of the biggest inventory of rentals in Bozeman is Craigslist Bozeman and look under Apts/Housing For Rent.  Good rentals may only be posted for a matter of hours and the landlord will have 10 - 15 inquiries and take the post down.  Be diligent and check Craigslist 2 or 3 times a day.  There can be an occasional scam rental posting on Craigslist where they want you to wire transfer rent or deposits sight unseen because they are out of town or on a mission trip.  Don't ever do that.  SCAM  Always meet the owner/landlord in person, review the rental contract first and write a paper check for rent.  You can verify the owner's name online at Montana Cadastral or Gallatin Property Taxes.  Beware of someone texting or emailing you back and asking you to click on a link for more information  - this can download spyware to your device.  Asking you to reply to an email address not published on the rental site.  And the latest scams are posts that request you pay a rental application fee up front that are not affiliated with a legitimate property management company.  If a rental posting looks too good to be true - it likely is a scam preying on the renter's frustrations.

National websites like Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com also display rentals.  Many rentals from a private person tend to get listed here if you don't want to go through a rental agency.  The same scams as Craigslist can happen on these sites as well.  A scammer will photocopy a "For Sale" listing and offer it for rent way below market rates.  Meet the landlord in person and never wire transfer any money.  You can verify the owner's name online at Montana Cadastral or Gallatin County Property Taxes

There are some national online rental sites that also have listings for Bozeman/ Belgrade like Rentdigs.com, Rent2ownusa.com, Apartable.com, Turbo.rent, Schedule-a-showing.com, Rentjungle.com and FurnishedFinder.com.

Most rentals will ask for a 1-year lease.  Some may rent month to month with a higher monthly rent.  Pets usually require an extra month of deposit and $30 - $50 per month more.  Rental rates in Bozeman are running $1,000 - $1,200 per bedroom, per month and in Belgrade (7 miles west of Bozeman) $900 - $1,100 per bedroom per month.

Check the Facebook pages:  "Bozeman Rentals", "Housing/Property For Sale Or Rent in Montana" and Facebook Marketplace.  You will see lots of rooms for rent here where tenants are looking for 1 more roommate.  This can be one of the most affordable options.

The HRDC administers most of the affordable, lower-income rentals and energy assistance programs in the valley.  Contact them to see if there is a program that you may qualify for.  Here is their link  HRDC Affordable Housing

Drive around the neighborhood you'd like to live in.  Many times landlords put a "For Rent" sign in the yard instead of an online posting.

And many times, rentals get filled just by word of mouth knowing someone that is moving out.  Put the word out to everyone you know you are looking for a rental.

Here are some of the most popular rental companies in Bozeman.  Many times their available properties are not advertised on rental websites, only on their company website and some allow waiting lists.  Most will ask you to submit your rental application online with a fee.  Verify where and to whom you are submitting your application with the property management company.  Some of the newest scams are imposters looking like a local property management companies.  Good rentals can be competitive to secure.


If you would like to add your property management company to my list, text or email me your information.  406-579-6636  markLcorner@gmail.com