Tenant law (Portland: apartment, renter, month-to-month)

[turquoise1]

As a New Yorker, I am not that familiar with Oregon tenant protection law, but I've recently been told that it's almost nonexistent. I have heard stories of people's rents being raised by 30% with no recourse. Is this true? If so, is anything being done about it? Are you personally involved in trying to agitate to rectify this?

I just found this link, Googling.

Community Alliance of Tenants | Contact your legislators

[Minervah]

Originally Posted by turquoise1

As a New Yorker, I am not that familiar with Oregon tenant protection law, but I've recently been told that it's almost nonexistent. I have heard stories of people's rents being raised by 30% with no recourse. Is this true? If so, is anything being done about it? Are you personally involved in trying to agitate to rectify this?

I just found this link, Googling.

Community Alliance of Tenants | Contact your legislators

From my experience as a renter for over 30 years in Portland, I can tell you that there are few laws that protect the renter and those have very dull teeth. I was a member of CAT but dropped out when I realized they were only serving low-income tenants. That was awhile ago so maybe they have changed or at least I hope they are now trying to help every renter.

People have been trying to change that for the same amount of years to no avail. You just have to be lucky in getting one of the decent landlords or rental management companies when renting an apartment.

Coming from Chicago where the tenant has all kinds of rights and they are upheld, it was quite a shock for me.

I have taken a management company to court. Or I should say threatened to take them to court because they backed down. If you can find a tenant's "right" in the the Landlord Tenant Ordinance, you have to fight for it.

At one time the landlord could raise the rent on the month-to-month rental contracts as often as he pleased. I always thought that was the reason there were not many six month or year leases available. Then a law was enacted that he could raise the rent only four times a year with no limit. Another time it was four times a year but "only" $50.00 at a time.

I don't know what the rules are today. I don't bother with it because for the first time I have a decent landlord who raises my rent $15.00-$20.00 a year and no more.