CommunityCheck here first for Renters’ Rights information and handouts.
Then call the Renters’ Rights Hotline: (503) 288-0130
(ORS 90.385)
Note: Information provided by the Community Alliance of Tenants is for general educational use only. It is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.
Oregon law prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants. Basically, retaliation is when a landlord does any of the following:
After a tenant does any of the following:
If a landlord retaliates against a tenant, the tenant is entitled to two months’ rent or twice the amount of damages, and may use the retaliation as a defense to an eviction. However, retaliation may not keep you from being evicted if you are behind in rent or if you or your guest caused the original problem.
Retaliation is very hard to prove in court, so documentation is extremely important. Examples of documentation include copies of letters to your landlord asking for repairs, letters with the landlord’s response, statements from people who have seen the problem happen, photos of the apartment before and during the problem, or any kind of log or journal of events related to the retaliation. Because of how complicated it can be, talk to a lawyer before going to court about the retaliation. If you need an attorney we can refer you to one, or you can call the Oregon State Bar Attorney Referral Program at 1-800-452-8260 x387.
Cuts to Portland’s inspection program Support safe housing and livable neighborhoods! Portland City Council needs to continue to fund the Neighborhood Inspections Program to address unsafe housing and neighborhood livability. Any decrease in the level of inspections will only force marginalized Portlanders to stay in deteriorating and unsafe housing conditions such: faulty wiring, overflowing dumpsters, inadequate heating, broken appliances, mold and pest infestations and harborage. Please contact the Mayor and Commissioners and voice your support for this critical effort! (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address): (503) 823-4682 (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address): (503) 823-3589 (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address): (503) 823-3008 (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address): (503) 823-4151 (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address): (503) 823-4120 Safe housing and neighborhood livability is a priority for Portlander, and should be a priority for Portland’s City Council.