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....

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...

It's one of those topics that can feel straightforward until you're knee-deep in a move-out inspection, wondering if that scuff mark or carpet stain qualifies for a deduction. Get Oregon security deposit deductions wrong, and it can lead to disputes, small claims court, or worse – nobody wants that kind of stress on top of everything else we deal with.

But here's the good news: Knowledge is your best anchor in choppy waters. I'll break down the top headlines statewide, zoom in on Portland Metro specifics, and wrap with some no-nonsense steps to keep your portfolio steady. Let's dive in—because staying informed isn't just smart; it's how we turn potential headaches into profitable opportunities.