Landlord Compliance Guides

Plain-language explainers on the rules that matter most to Portland Metro’s 1–4 unit owners.

FAIR Ordinance

Relocation Assistance

Oregon SB 608

Navigating Portland's FAIR Ordinance: A Landlord's Guide to Compliant Tenant Screening

Understanding Portland’s Application and Screening Regulation (commonly known as the FAIR Ordinance) is essential for any property owner operating within the city limits. Implemented to eliminate housing barriers, the ordinance strictly dictates how landlords advertise rentals, process applications, and evaluate prospective residents.

1. The 72-Hour Open Application Period

Before accepting rental applications, landlords in Portland must provide a public notice at least 72 hours in advance. This notice must state when applications will officially open, the screening criteria, and whether the unit is an Accessible Dwelling Unit. Any application received prior to the open window must be time-stamped with an 8-hour penalty delay.

2. Low-Barrier Screening Criteria vs. Individual Assessment

The FAIR Ordinance offers landlords two pathways for screening applicants:

Low-Barrier Criteria: Setting baseline limits defined by the city (e.g., credit scores down to 500, income-to-rent ratios at 2–2.5× rent depending on the tier, and specific limits on criminal history lookbacks).
Self-Selected Criteria: If a landlord chooses stricter criteria and an applicant fails to meet them, the landlord is legally required to perform an individual assessment before denying the application.

3. Security Deposit Limits and Itemization

Under the ordinance, security deposits inside Portland city limits cannot exceed one month’s rent. Furthermore, move-in and move-out condition reports require detailed photo documentation to justify any deposit withholdings upon turnover.

How PMNW Group Protects You: We maintain standardized, legally reviewed screening templates that automate the 72-hour notice rule, apply compliant low-barrier criteria, and log all application processing timestamps to shield owners from technical violations.

Portland Renter Relocation Assistance: How Small Landlords Can Stay Compliant

Portland’s Mandatory Renter Relocation Assistance ordinance is one of the most impactful rental regulations in the Pacific Northwest. Under specific circumstances, landlords who issue no-cause evictions, choose not to renew a fixed-term lease, or raise rent beyond a specific threshold are legally required to pay their tenants a mandatory relocation fee ranging from $2,900 to $4,500+ per unit.

Mandatory Relocation Payment Schedule

Studio / 1-Bedroom: $2,900
2-Bedroom: $3,300
3-Bedroom: $4,200
4-Bedroom or Larger: $4,500

Triggering Events

Relocation assistance payouts are triggered when a landlord inside Portland city limits executes any of the following:

Issues a no-cause lease termination notice.
Declines to renew a fixed-term lease on substantially similar terms.
Serves a rent increase notice of 10% or more within a rolling 12-month period, causing the tenant to issue a notice to vacate within 45 days.

Common Exemptions for Small Property Owners

While the regulation applies broadly, single-family and small-portfolio owners may qualify for specific exemptions, provided they file the correct paperwork with the Portland Housing Bureau before issuing a notice:

Relocating Primary Residence: Landlords returning to occupy their single primary residence after a temporary absence.
Duplex/ADU Exemption: Landlords who live on-site in a principal residence that shares a single lot with an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) or a duplex.
Small Landlord Exemption: Landlords who own only one rental unit within Portland city limits (requires formal exemption approval from the city).

How PMNW Group Protects You: We structure leases strategically, manage lease renewals well ahead of expiration windows, and monitor rent adjustment percentages to ensure you never accidentally trigger a mandatory relocation payout.

Oregon SB 608 Rules for Small Residential Landlords: Rent Caps and Just-Cause Evictions

Passed in 2019 as the nation’s first statewide rent control law, Oregon Senate Bill 608 impacts rental property operations in every municipality, including Portland, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Gresham, and Oregon City. Understanding how SB 608 applies to 1–4 unit properties across the tri-county area is vital for avoiding costly legal challenges.

1. Annual Maximum Rent Increase Cap

SB 608 limits annual rent increases statewide. The cap is calculated annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) plus 7%.

Exempt Property Types: Properties that are less than 15 years old (from certificate of occupancy issuance) are exempt from the state rent cap.
Notice Requirements: All rent increase notices must be served in writing at least 90 days in advance.

2. The First Year of Occupancy Rule vs. Just Cause

First 365 Days: During the first year of a tenancy, a landlord may terminate a tenancy without stating a cause (subject to local city ordinances, such as Portland’s Relocation Assistance rules).
After Day 365: Once a tenant has resided in the property for one full year, the tenancy can only be terminated for “Just Cause.”

3. Qualifying Landlord-Reason Terminations

After the first year, a landlord can terminate a lease for one of four specific “Qualifying Landlord Reasons”:

Intention to demolish the dwelling or convert it to non-residential use.
Intention to execute major repairs or renovations that render the home uninhabitable during work.
Intention for the landlord or an immediate family member to move into the home.
Acceptance of an offer to purchase the home from a buyer who intends to occupy it as a primary residence.

How PMNW Group Protects You: We track property construction dates, calculate exact allowable rent adjustments annually, and manage legal notices to ensure full compliance across all three local counties.