Investing in Billings

Before You Buy a Billings Short-Term Rental

A nightly rental in Billings needs a city permit and business license, collects Montana's 8% lodging tax, and is generally taxed at the 1.90% non-qualifying property tax rate in 2026. This guide from Gene Hauck, Real Estate Broker, REALTOR® with The Morales Group at Engel & Völkers Billings, shows how to check whether a property works as a nightly rental, a 30-day furnished rental or a standard lease.

More for investors: short-term rentals in Billings and the Billings investing hub.

What's inside

  • The City of Billings permit rules and how to check an address before you offer
  • Lodging tax and the 2026 property tax classifications, with a worked example
  • A three-way worksheet: nightly vs 30-day furnished vs standard lease
  • How to find your break-even occupancy
  • The questions to ask the seller, HOA, lender, insurer, CPA and city

Gene Hauck, Real Estate Broker, REALTOR® | The Morales Group at Engel & Völkers Billings | 1921 1st Ave N, Billings, MT 59101 | Montana license RRE-BRO-LIC-135399 | 406-861-4844

Get the Billings Short-Term Rental Guide

City permit rules, Montana's 8% lodging tax, the 2026 property tax classifications, and a worksheet comparing nightly, 30-day furnished and standard leases. From Gene Hauck, Real Estate Broker, REALTOR® with The Morales Group at Engel & Völkers Billings.

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