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

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....

But here's something that just landed on January 1st: House Bill 3521, bringing some fresh rules around holding deposits for rental applications. Don't worry, I'm not here to scare you—think of this as a friendly heads-up from one landlord to another. These changes are manageable, and getting them right actually helps you run a smoother, more professional operation. Who knows, it might even weed out the flaky applicants faster! Let's break it down conversationally, because no

Today, let's have a deeper chat about tenant screening in Oregon. This isn't just a quick checkbox on your to-do list; it's the foundation of protecting your investment, minimizing risks, and ensuring steady cash flow. Get it right, and you'll sleep better knowing you've got responsible folks in your units. Rush it or cut corners, and you could end up with evictions, damage, or even legal troubles that drain your resources.