Can anyone help with apartment laws? (Portland: apartment complexes, city hall, lease)

[reflex]

I live here in Oregon and have been told that the apartments I live in are doing something illegal, but I have searched and found no regulation laws for apartment owners online (maybe I wasn't looking hard enough???)

What I need to find out is.. Is there a law stating that a fence is required in an area of apartment that has a dropoff above 3.5 feet? I am not sure if I made myself clear, so I will post pics of what I mean.

It just really worries me, especially because there is a tree about a foot away from it. The tree has roots sticking up, and I have a 23 month old grandson that I babysit on a daily basis. He loves to run around outside, but since I have recently had knee surgery, i am not as fast as him if he decides to run off. If he gets away from me, I am so scared that he will trip over the roots and fall off the wall! It just seems like such a hazard to have that dropoff there, something needs to be done.

if these pics don't work, I will repost.

Here I am leaning up against it. I am 5 feet 5 inches tall. As you can see, it goes to almost the top of my shoulder.

[Minervah]

You need contact your state or local housing authority. Start with the State of Oregon website. I lived in an apartment in Portland many years ago that was in violation of housing laws in regard to railings, stairs and a few other things. Some of the problems had to be corrected but some did not because of the age of the building.

This does not look like a normal safety concern. I doubt if the building is in violation of any laws here. But check it out for yourself. A building inspector can come out and determine whether or not there should be a fence.

[Terryj]

Having managed apartment complexes in Oregon I do not recall there being a law requiring a fence, accept around a swimming pool. It would however it would be in the best interest of the complex owner to install a fence due to the possibility of injuries happening on there property.
Here is a link to the Oregon Landlord and Tenant laws. Landlord and Tenant Law

[karlsch]

If it's a violation, it's a violation of a building code. Take your pictures to city hall and ask at the building department.

[haggardhouseelf]

Have you spoken about your concerns with your apartment manager? Even if their is some sort of issue with regards to the building code - your grandson will most likely be in preschool before anything is done about it... things move so slowly... This is a safety concern for your grandson right now so perhaps there is another - quicker - solution to this problem. Maybe they could put up some sort of fencing around your area, even if it were temporary, or you could request to move to an apartment that is in a safer or better location? Do you drive? Perhaps just take your grandson to the park for his outdoor play time?

I'm sure if you mention a safety concern to your apartment manager - if they are at all professional - they will work on a solution with you. If not, it might be grounds for early termination of a lease with no penalty.

[Silverfall]

Here is the link to the building codes division. I would email them and ask.
</TITLE> <META http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html><link rel="stylesheet" href="wrapper/agency_pinot_v3.css" type="text/css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="wrapper/oregonGov_v3.css" type="text/css"> <TITLE>Building Codes Division