Thinking about bringing in extra income by renting a spare bedroom or that new ADU—while still living in your primary home? Good news: Oregon gives owner-occupied landlords some powerful exemptions from eviction restrictions, relocation payments, and screening rules that regular rentals don’t get. In my latest PAROA article, I break it all down with real Portland examples, pitfalls to avoid, and best practices so you can do it right (and keep your sanity). Read it now and sav

If you're like most of us in this business, few things get under your skin quite like that tenant who treats the rent due date as more of a loose suggestion than a hard rule. One late payment? Okay, life happens. But when it turns into a monthly ritual—complete with excuses that could win an Oscar—it's time to take action. Managing chronic late rent in Oregon isn't just about protecting your cash flow; it's about setting clear boundaries and using the tools our state laws pro

If you're reading this in February 2026, you're probably feeling the pinch just like I am. January brought a record-breaking wave of eviction filings across Oregon—over 2,700 court-ordered evictions statewide, the highest in five years, with Multnomah County and the Portland area getting hit especially hard. That's nearly double some recent months, and it's got a lot of us scrambling to stay compliant while protecting our investments and cash flow. What's driving this Oreg

Today, we're diving into a complete tax preparation checklist tailored for Oregon rental property owners. We'll focus on maximizing Oregon rental property tax deductions—the ordinary and necessary expenses that directly lower your taxable rental income. Whether you own a duplex in Portland, a handful of single-family homes in Beaverton, or investment properties across the state, these strategies apply to you. I'll walk you through real-world examples, step-by-step guidance, c

As landlords, we know preventing mold in Oregon rentals isn’t just about keeping the place looking sharp—it’s about protecting tenant health, preserving property value, and staying on the right side of habitability laws. In winter especially, with our high humidity and frequent downpours from November through February, mold complaints spike. Our PAROA helpline sees it every year: more calls about leaks, bathroom moisture, and that telltale musty smell. Let’s dive in and arm y

If you've been keeping an eye on the local housing scene (and let's be real, who hasn't?), you've probably heard whispers about the City’s Portland Social Housing Study. It’s picking up steam, and as someone who’s been in the trenches with you all for years, I figured it’s time we chat about what this actually means for us private-market folks. Is it a game-changer? A potential headache? Or just another report that’ll gather dust? Let’s break it down together, with some real-

As we roll into 2026, things feel a bit uncertain. Back in September 2025, HUD withdrew its key 2020 guidance (FHEO-2020-01) on handling these requests. No replacement has dropped yet, so we're back to case-by-case evaluations under the core FHA rules. Oregon follows the federal lead here—no major state changes in 2025 or 2026—and Portland aligns too. The obligation to accommodate remains firm, but the old checklists are gone. My advice? When in doubt, approve and manage the

In December 2025, Governor Kotek unveiled her "Prosperity Roadmap," a plan aimed at accelerating economic growth, creating good-paying jobs, and making Oregon more attractive to businesses. A key part of that roadmap is the newly formed Oregon Prosperity Council, an advisory group of 16 business, labor, and industry leaders tasked with providing recommendations on short- and long-term strategies. The council held its first meeting just recently, and they're set to deliver a r

I’ve been knee-deep in Oregon rental properties for nearly two decades now, managing thousands of units, teaching classes to thousands of landlords, and learning every lesson the hard way at least once (usually involving a tenant who thought “no pets” meant “just one Great Dane won’t hurt”). Today, I’m pulling together some of my favorite Oregon landlord best practices—the real-world tips, policies, and efficiency boosters I share in my classes and use in my own portfolio....

This year feels especially timely because of the big federal win in the “One Big Beautiful Bill” that restored 100% bonus depreciation for qualified property placed in service after January 19, 2025. If you bought new appliances, replaced HVAC systems, or made certain interior improvements last year, you might be able to write off the entire cost in one shot. Add in the evergreen deductions we’ve always had, and there’s real money on the table. So let’s walk through the major

But here's something that's got a buzz going among us providers: ideas for HUD reforms that could shake things up, including one that directly eyes rent control. Our friends at the National Real Estate Investors Association (NREIA) shared a legislative update highlighting a bunch of these concepts—things aimed at making subsidized housing more efficient, curbing abuse, and easing burdens on private landlords like you and me. They discussed these as potential changes that "cou

If you’ve been scrolling through industry news lately (or dodging panicked texts from colleagues), you’ve probably heard about Portland’s new ordinance banning algorithmic rent-setting software. Yes, the one that went after tools like RealPage and similar “AI-powered” pricing platforms. As of January 2026, it’s in full effect, and enforcement has already begun. Don’t worry—I’m not here to debate the politics. I’m here to help you stay compliant, keep your properties filled,

You've probably seen the headlines buzzing about President Trump's new executive order targeting big institutional investors in the single-family home market. Signed just a couple days ago on January 20, 2026, it's got everyone from first-time buyers to seasoned rental owners talking. Is this the game-changer that's going to level the playing field for us small-time folks? Or is it more smoke than fire?....

I've been poring over the latest previews from advocacy groups, caucuses, and business allies. Full bill drafts aren't public yet (that's normal for even-year sessions—no pre-filing), but the signals are coming in loud and clear. And folks, let's start with what I know keeps many of you up at night: the tenant advocacy side. Because honestly, that's where the biggest question marks—and potential surprises—lurk right now.... Click the link to read the full article

Hey, fellow Oregon landlords—January 2026 is underway, and a lot of us are planning rent adjustments for the coming months. The state capped the maximum allowable increase at 9.5% this year (7% + CPI). That gives us room to cover rising costs, but only if we handle it correctly. Mess it up, and you could face disputes, lose good tenants, or—in Portland—trigger mandatory relocation payments. Let’s break it down step by step so you can move forward with confidence while keep

Why now? Well, late 2025 brought a big shift when HUD withdrew its key guidance document, FHEO-2020-01, on assessing assistance animal requests. That old notice spelled out pretty strict rules on what landlords could ask for in verification. With it gone, we've got more breathing room to dig into questionable requests—think those sketchy online ESA letters that seem to pop up overnight. But here's the big caveat, and I can't stress this enough: the core Fair Housing Act (FHA)

We're barely two weeks into 2026, and already one of the big changes from the 2025 legislative session is hitting us right where it hurts: the reliability of those fixed-term leases we all count on for steady cash flow. I'm talking about HB 2134, the new law that gives tenants a fresh way to end a fixed-term lease early—without penalties—if we issue a non-renewal or certain termination notice first...

Speaking of which, there's a draft bill floating around in Salem right now, LC 222, this big housing omnibus package from early January 2026. Most of it focuses on funding tweaks and permitting shortcuts, but one section caught my eye: new rules around Oregon natural disaster tenancy termination when a rental unit gets severely damaged or destroyed by events like wildfires or major storms...

You know that moment when you've got a 10-day nonpayment of rent notice ready to go, you've double-checked every detail, and you drop it in the mailbox thinking the timeline is set? Yeah, we've all been there. But what if the postmark ends up a few days later than when you actually mailed it? Suddenly, those precious days on your notice period could evaporate, and in a contested case, that might give a tenant an opening to challenge the whole thing. Not the kind of surprise a

You see, Sherwood isn't just sitting back while recent state housing laws chip away at local control. The city council, led by Mayor Tim Rosener, called this emergency vote to put two charter amendments on the ballot. These measures aim to push back against laws that streamline housing development by limiting public input and notifications. If they pass, Sherwood would mandate at least one public hearing and expanded notices for major residential projects, and reaffirm the ci