Just when Landlords thought we could begin seeing a return to normal, Oregon legislators are beginning to talk of a special session or additional emergency orders to provide additional protections to Oregon renters. Such protections come at the cost of irreparable damage to many landlords, and an overall loss of landlords’ rights.
This cannot happen! Landlords have sat silent for too long; it’s time to make our voices heard. Read below for what this new proposal could contain and how to contact our state legislators. Please consider writing an email to our legislators with where your rental units are located, how many you own, and your personal story.
The current moratorium is set to expire on December 31st, 2020. Under the current temporary law changes implemented by Oregon’s previous emergency session, tenants would have until March 31st, 2021 to pay past due rent.
House Speaker, Tina Kotek, is looking into a special session in December to implement additional protections for renters and once again, take away landlord rights.
A new proposal being considered would address the following:
- Extending the moratorium to June 30, 2021, adds language on tenants documenting financial hardship and gives them until July 1, 2021, to pay back all rent.
- Non-qualifying tenants will only be protected until December 31, 2020, and will have until March 31, 2021, to pay back rent.
72-Hour notices for non-payment of rent would be extended to 14-day notices. - Prohibition on late fees and reporting nonpayment to any consumer credit reporting agency is extended.
- No cause notices are only allowed for owners selling the home to someone who will occupy it, demolishing or converting a unit, undertaking major repairs/renovations, or moving themselves or family into a unit.
- A new addition would be a landlord compensation fund. Landlords could apply directly for rent assistance. The focus will be on smaller housing providers owed large amounts of money and they have to forgive 20% of the amount owed.
- Contact your state legislators, congress members, and Tina Kotek, Speaker of the House about how the above changes will affect your ability to provide housing.
Find your state representatives: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/findyourlegislator/leg-districts.html
Tina Kotek – RepTinaKotek@oregonlegislature.gov Oregon House Speaker
Julie Fahey – RepJulieFahey@oregonlegislature.gov (District 1) on House Committee on Housing
Jack Zica – RepJackZica@oregonlegislature.gov (District 2) ) on House Committee on Housing
Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley at merkley.senate.gov/contact (hit “connect” to get to email) Oregon Senator Ron Wyden at wyden.senate.gov/contact (hit “contact” to get to email)
Congressional Representatives: Suzanne Bonamici – bonamici.house.gov/contact (District 1)
Greg Walden – walden.house.gov/contact-greg (District 2)
Earl Blumenauer – https://blumenauer.house.gov/ (District 3)
Peter Defazio – defazio.house.gov/contact (District 4)
Kurt Schrader – schrader.house.gov/contact (District 5)
Your help is critical! Please reach out to our state, congressional, and local legislators and help them understand why these eviction moratoriums must end!