Seeing 2020

As the year winds to a close, RPM is spending the last days of 2019 updating our forms and policies to reflect the many changes in State an Local landlord-tenant law that will come into effect in 2020. Keeping up to date on the myriad and constantly changing laws and regulations is a big reason our clients opt to work with RPM rather than self managing. Using a property manager who keeps abreast of these changes helps to minimize your legal exposure as a real estate investor and helps give our clients peace of mind.

The Oregon Legislature was busy in 2019 and passed rules establishing rent control, limiting no cause termination rights, and enacting other laws pertaining to screening, marijuana, medications, and more. The City of Portland has also put forth or passed new ordinances dealing with Screening Criteria for tenants and Security Deposits. Many of these changes go into effect during 2020 so we wanted to highlight some of these changes that all landlords should be aware of in the new year. While this list is not intend to be comprehensive, it can serve as a starting point for all property owners and managers preparing for the new year.

Statewide

  • House Bill 2006 (Section 1) - The Housing and Community Services Department Grants

  • House Bill 2006 (Sections 3-4) Department of Justice Domestic Violence Victims Assistance

  • House Bill 2530 Notice to FED Defendants of Available Assistance to Veterans

    • Requires new information be provided to tenants during eviction process

  • Senate Bill 295- Amends Screening Statute

    • “Landlords may only require an applicant to pay a single applicant screening charge within any 60 day period, regardless of the number of rental units owned or manged by the landlord for which the applicant has applied to rent.

  • Senate Bill 420- Setting Aside Marijuana Convictions

    • Creates process for individuals to set aside marijuana convictions, limiting their use in tenant screening.

  • Senate Bill 873 -Sealing FED Records

    • Creates process where individuals may have prior eviction actions sealed, after 5 years,limiting their use in denying tenancy to applicant.

  • Senate Bill 970 Section 1- Amends Screening Criteria re: Marijuana

    • Limits the use of conviction or charges for the use or possession of marijuana when evaluating an applicant.

City of Portland

  • Portland Fair Access in Renting Rules (PCC 30.01.068)

    • On March 1, 2020, new rules go into effect for security deposits and the application and screening process for landlords operating rental housing units in Portland. These changes will have big impacts to how property managers and investors do business in the City of Portland.

As mentioned above, This list is not exhaustive and should not be considered legal advice. If you have questions on how to best incorporate these upcoming changes and protect your investment, please feel free to reach out to us directly

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