Governor Kate Brown has issued another executive order extending the eviction moratorium already in place. The moratorium is now extending until December 31st. As a refresher, Landlords will not be able to do the following for the extent of the ban:

  • Issue a termination notice for nonpayment of rent, utilities, or any other fees or charges;
  • Charge a late fee/penalty for nonpayment;
  • File an eviction based on nonpayment;
  • Give a termination notice without cause (excepting cases where the landlord has sold the rental to someone who plans to move in, or the landlord intends to move in).
  • And more.

The list of what the landlord may not do during this moratorium goes on, but the brief points above cover the highlights.

As usual, this will not affect most of our owners in the foreseeable future. Every tenant that Empire has installed has kept us up to date on their situation, working with us in those few cases where they are struggling to pay the rent.

After the moratorium ends, the tenants will have until March 31st, 2021 to pay back the rent incurred between April 1st and September 30th. Landlords will be able to evict for unpaid rent between October 1st and December 31st on January 1st.

Going Forward:

Portland seems to have become the testing ground for the rest of the state. Whatever they try there, we will be sure to at least get a watered-down version during the next legislative session.

The Portland City Council unanimously decided last month to require all landlords to provide relocation assistance if the tenant is moving due to a rent raise of any amount. Again, this is in Portland only. But Landlords should prepare to see legislation along these lines, or at the very least, legislation intended to provide relief to tenants at the expense of landlord rights.

What is good for one group is good for the other, and what is supposed to benefit one at the expense of the other often hurts the tenants and benefits the landlord. As legislation becomes harder to navigate, the mom-and-pop landlords leave the market. Only the professional landlords or the investors are left. Rents go up, the properties increase in value, and no one is hurt but the tenants.

Enjoy your Halloween, and as always, Happy Landlording!