Tenants may experience severe financial difficulty as a result of rent increases. Thankfully, Oregon boasts some of the country’s greatest laws protecting renters. An outline of Oregon’s 2024 rent increase laws is provided below, along with important information to protect your rights.

Key Points for Tenants

• Rent Increase Cap: Landlords cannot increase rent by more than 10% in a 12-month period.
• First-Year Protection: Landlords cannot raise your rent during the first year of your tenancy.
• 90-Day Notice: Your landlord must give you at least 90 days written notice before any rent increase.
• Annual Limit: Landlords generally can only raise your rent once in any 12-month period.

Understanding Oregon s Rent Control Law

The historic 2019 rent control bill in Oregon (SB 608) limited the amount and frequency of rent increases by landlords throughout the state. This is how it operates:

• The Formula: The maximum permissible rent increase is 7% plus the annual change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for All Urban Consumers in the West Region (CPI-W), as established by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• The 2024 Cap: As long as inflation continues above 3%, rent increases in 2024 will be limited to 10%. This cap applies to the majority of rental units.

Exemptions to the Rent Increase Cap

Not every rental property in Oregon is subject to the rent control law. The main exclusions are as follows:

• New Construction: Rent control rules do not apply to buildings that are less than 15 years old.
• Subsidized Housing: Some government-subsidized homes may have their own rent-increase policies.
• Others: Exemptions may also apply to less common scenarios such as landlord-occupied duplexes or certain types of auxiliary dwelling units (ADUs).

Notice Requirements for Rent Increases

Landlords must follow stringent notice procedures even if they raise the rent within permitted bounds:

• 90-Days Minimum: Landlords must provide written notice of a rent increase at least 90 days before it becomes effective.
• Contents of the Notice: The notice must clearly state the following:
  • The current rent amount
  • The new rent amount
  • The effective date of the increase
  • A statement of your rights under Oregon law

Additional Protections for Tenants

In addition to rent increase caps, Oregon law offers tenants additional significant safeguards:

• No-Cause Eviction Ban: After the first year of your tenancy, landlords are generally not allowed to evict you without a valid reason.
• Relocation Assistance: In places with relocation aid ordinances, such as Portland, landlords may be forced to reimburse tenants relocation fees if they are evicted without cause or face particularly substantial rent hikes.

What to Do if Your Landlord Raises the Rent Illegally

Here’s what to do if you think your landlord has broken Oregon’s rules on rent increases:

1. Document Everything: Keep copies of your lease, rent increase notices, and any other communications with your landlord.
2. Talk to Your Landlord: Begin by attempting to resolve the issue directly. Inform them that you believe the rent increase is illegal, and reference the applicable Oregon statutes.
3. Seek Legal Help: If you are unable to address the matter with your landlord, contact a tenant advocacy organization or an attorney who specializes in landlord-tenant law. They can assist you in understanding your rights and, if required, filing a lawsuit.

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