I’ve gone through our Lobbyists' reports, pulled the official digests and introduced texts where available, and compiled neutral one-paragraph summaries for every single bill mentioned—no skipping, no combining. Some are direct hits for landlords, others more tangential for investors or the broader housing market, but you asked for the full rundown, so here it is....

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-

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

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 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

In this stabilizing market, losing a good tenant can hit your wallet hard—think one to two months' rent lost to vacancy, plus cleaning, minor repairs, marketing, and screening new applicants. That's easily $4,000 to $6,000 on a $2,000-a-month unit. Ouch, right? But retaining a quality tenant? That's pure gold. They know the property, pay on time (mostly), and treat the place like home. With inbound migration keeping demand steady, why risk the winter leasing slowdown? Smart l

Under Oregon law—specifically ORS 90.320—landlords have a clear duty to maintain "adequate heating facilities" that conform to code at installation and stay in good working order throughout the tenancy. The dwelling has to remain habitable, meaning if the heat's out and it's freezing, that's a big problem. No, there's no magic number like "must keep it at 68 degrees," but courts generally view a non-functional system as a habitability violation, especially when temps drop low

I've been helping Oregon landlords navigate this stuff for years, from the Portland metro all the way down the state, and I can tell you that a little proactive planning now saves a ton of headaches (and money) later. Whether you're a hands-on owner-manager with a handful of units or you've got a bigger portfolio, this guide will walk you through the must-know deadlines, what records to round up, the best deductions to claim, and those sneaky pitfalls that trip folks up. We'l

The 2025 United Van Lines National Movers Study, released at the end of December 2025, crowned Oregon as the top inbound state in the nation for the first time ever, with a staggering 64.5% to 65% of tracked household moves coming INTO the state. If you're a landlord, property manager, or investor anywhere from Portland down to Medford, this isn't just interesting trivia—it's a roadmap for where rental demand is heading, where vacancies might tighten (or not), and where the s

it's January 7, 2026, and if you're like me, you're probably still recovering from the holidays while gearing up for tax season. But before you dive into those Schedule E deductions for your rental properties, there's one federal requirement that sneaks up on a lot of us every year: issuing 1099-NEC forms to contractors. Miss it, and the IRS can hit you with penalties that start small but add up fast. Trust me, I've seen too many good landlords get caught off-guard by this, s

Thanks to House Bill 3522, which kicked in on January 1, property owners like you and me can now use the faster Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) eviction process to boot out true squatters—often with just a 24-hour notice. Finally, a pro-landlord win in a state that's seen plenty of the opposite lately. It's like the legislature woke up and said, "Hey, property rights matter too." Don't get me wrong, I'm all for fair housing and good tenant relations, but when someone's ille

One of the trickiest parts? The city's mandatory relocation assistance requirements. Get it wrong, and you're looking at penalties that could make your eyes water faster than chopping onions on a bad day. But don't worry—I'm here to walk you through it like we're chatting over coffee, breaking down when these rules kick in, especially that pesky 10% threshold for rent increases, and all the exemptions that can help you stay on the right side of compliance.

Whether you're dealing with rentals in rainy downtown Portland, the suburbs of Hillsboro, or even out in sunny Central Oregon, we all know managing properties can feel like a full-time job on top of your full-time job. But here's the good news: there are some clever Oregon landlord hacks out there that save time, slash maintenance costs, and boost safety without a ton of extra effort. I've dug deep into what's working for folks right now in 2026, pulling from community chats,

If you rent to Housing Choice Voucher (HCV, better known as Section 8) holders through Home Forward, you've probably already seen the letter dated December 3, 2025, announcing a full pause on approving any rent increases effective on or after April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027. Yeah, that's a full year with no bumps allowed, even on lease renewals.