Senate Bill 608

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AS A LANDLORD IN OREGON

Learn more about Senate Bill 608 with The Law Office of JennyRae Foreman LLC

In February 2019, landlord-tenant law saw a significant shift in the state of Oregon. For both landlords and tenants, laws have changed, and it's important that you know your rights. This new law has limitations on no-cause terminations as well as rent increases. Some important things to take away from this new bill include:

• If the tenant has lived at the property for more than one year, the landlord cannot present a no-cause termination to the tenant. The landlord must have cause or meet a landlord qualifying reason when terminating a lease with the tenant.

• If the tenant has lived on the property for less than a year, the landlord can present a no-cause termination to the tenant, but may owe the tenant a full month of rent.

There are exceptions to these rules that as a landlord, you might qualify for. If you as the landlord have four (4) or fewer rentals, then you do not owe the tenant the full month of rent.The other main effect of Senate Bill 608 on Oregon landlords includes limitations on rent increases. A landlord cannot raise rent more than seven percent (7%) plus the consumer price index every twelve months. Currently, this figure equals 10.3% for 2019. Again, there are exceptions to this rule as well. For example, if your rental was built within 15 years of the passage of this law, the rent increase limitation does not apply to you.

Penalties

There are penalties that you as a landlord will face if you fail to comply with the new law. For example, a landlord that increases rent in violation of SB 608 could be liable to their tenant in an amount equal to 3 months' rent plus actual damages suffered by the tenant.To learn even more about the implications that Senate Bill 608 will have on you as an Oregon landlord, call The Law Office of JennyRae Foreman LLC to speak with an experienced landlord-tenant attorney.