Changes to Landlord-Tenant Laws in Portland
On February 2nd, by unanimous action of the Portland City Council, Tenant Relocation fees and a Rent Increase Cap was immediately enacted.
Here are some key changes which will be effective until October 7, 2017
- Relocation fees must be paid within 45 days of the 90 day Eviction Notice being served
- Studio = $2900
- 1 Bedroom = $3,300
- 2 Bedroom = $4,200
- 3 Bedroom = $4,500
- For 90 day Eviction Notices in process, landlords can chose to a) rescind the notice, b) reduce the rent increase below 10%, or c) pay the relocation fee within 30 days
- Exemption is allowed for:
- Owners of 1 rental unit
- Owner who rents home for no more than 3 years while they are out of the area and intend to reoccupy the unit upon their return
These regulations are meant to protect low-income renters, who have seen extreme rent increases in a market like Portland where there is more demand than supply. Rents are up 6.8% this last year. Second in the nation only to Seattle. Landlords have not been happy with the changes, but city officials have reiterated that the measures are temporary while Portland battles a low-inventory rental crisis.
Airbnb has also introduced regulations allowing owners to have only one Airbnb listing, not multiple, in an effort to comply with city rules and reduce the low long-term rental inventory numbers.