The Oregon Legislature will have its first committee hearing on Rent Control bill SB 608 on Monday, February 4th beginning at 3 pm in Hearing Room B.
The bill makes major changes to Oregon Landlord/Tenant law — more than any such changes in the last 20 years.
The implications of this legislation are listed below.
Rent Control
- The bill restricts no cause evictions after a tenant’s first 12 months in a rental and limits rent increases in buildings that are more than 15 years old to 7% plus inflation.
- The Oregon Department of Administrative Services will calculate and release the allowable percentage for rent increases in a given year by September 30th the previous year. If a landlord raises rent by more than that amount, the landlord will be required to compensate the tenant with the equivalent of 3 months’ rent plus damages.
No-Cause Evictions
- No-cause evictions can still be issued with 30 days’ notice during the first year of tenancy or with 10 days’ notice during a week to week tenancy. In specific cases where a landlord can issue a no-cause eviction, the landlord must provide 30 days notice accompanied by the equivalent of one month’s rent. This is only after the first year of a fixed-term tenancy in specific cases.
The landlord may do this if they:
- Intend to demolish a unit or convert it to a nonresidential use;
- If the unit is unsafe for occupancy;
- If the unit cannot be occupied during necessary repairs or renovations;
- If the landlord or a member of their immediate family plans to live in the unit and no other similar unit is available; or
- If the landlord has received an offer from someone who intends to buy the unit and use it as a primary residence.
There are also provisions for no-cause evictions with a 90-day notice for a fixed-term tenancy, as well as for no-cause evictions pertaining to month-to-month tenancies.
Wrongful Eviction Claims
The landlord must pay three months’ rent plus damages if a tenant makes a claim of being wrongfully evicted within one year.
After the landlord issues an allowable no-cause eviction, they cannot raise the rent more than 7% plus CPI prior to renting the unit to a new tenant.
Preview and Download a copy of SB 608 Here
What Now?
- Give formal testimony on February 4th beginning at 3 pm in Salem at the Capitol Building in Hearing Room B. Note that this location may change – check in with the information booth in the Capitol rotunda lobby. Parking for your visit to the Capitol can be found by checking this website.
- Provide written testimony on how this bill will affect your business by 3 pm Friday to this email address: shous.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov and reference SB 608.
Credit: HFO Investment Real Estate