Rent Stabilization in Oregon

A practical guide to Oregon's statewide rent stabilization law (SB 608), including coverage criteria, rent increase caps, and tenant protections.

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1. Overview of Oregon's Rent Stabilization Law

Oregon's statewide rent stabilization law, Senate Bill 608 (SB 608), was passed in 2019 and applies to all residential rental properties throughout Oregon. Unlike rent control laws in some states that only apply to specific cities, Oregon's law provides statewide protections for tenants.

The law limits how much landlords can increase rent each year and provides just-cause eviction protections. The maximum allowable rent increase is calculated annually by the Oregon Department of Administrative Services (DAS) and published by September 30 for the following calendar year.

2. Which Properties Are Covered?

All residential rental properties in Oregon that are 15 years or older are covered by SB 608. This includes:

• Apartments and apartment buildings
• Single-family homes
• Condominiums and townhouses
• Duplexes, triplexes, and other multi-unit properties
• Manufactured dwelling parks (mobile home parks)
• Floating home marinas

Exemptions: Properties that are less than 15 years old are exempt from rent increase caps. This exemption applies to new construction to encourage housing development.

3. Rent Increase Caps for 2026

The maximum allowable rent increase for 2026 varies depending on the type and size of the property:

Regular Residential Properties

For most residential rental properties (apartments, houses, etc.) that are 15 years or older, the maximum rent increase for 2026 is 9.5%.

This cap is calculated as the lesser of 10% or 7% plus the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for All Urban Consumers in the West Region. A hard cap of 10% was added in 2023 to prevent excessive increases during periods of high inflation.

Manufactured Dwelling Parks and Marinas

Under House Bill 3054 (2025), special rules apply to manufactured dwelling parks and floating home marinas:

• Facilities with more than 30 spaces: Maximum rent increase of 6% for 2026
• Facilities with 30 or fewer spaces: Maximum rent increase of 9.5% for 2026 (same as regular properties)

These differentiated caps were introduced to provide additional protections for tenants in manufactured dwelling parks and marinas, which often have fewer alternative housing options.

4. Key Protections and Requirements

First Year of Occupancy Restriction

No rent increases are permitted during the first year of occupancy (except for week-to-week tenancies). This protection applies regardless of whether the property is 15 years or older. After the first year, the rent increase caps apply.

Frequency of Rent Increases

Landlords are permitted to raise rent only once within a 12-month period. This prevents landlords from implementing multiple smaller increases throughout the year to circumvent the annual cap.

Notice Requirements for Rent Increases

Landlords must provide written notice at least 90 days before a rent increase takes effect (except for week-to-week tenancies, which require 7 days notice). The notice must include:

• The amount of the rent increase
• The amount of the new rent
• The date on which the increase becomes effective
• If the property is exempt from the cap (e.g., less than 15 years old), the notice must explain why the cap doesn't apply

Week-to-Week Tenancies

Week-to-week tenancies are exempt from the rent increase cap. Landlords may increase rent for week-to-week tenancies with 7 days written notice, but the cap does not apply. All other tenancy types are subject to the rent increase limitations.

Just-Cause Eviction Protections

SB 608 also provides just-cause eviction protections for tenants in properties covered by the rent stabilization law. Landlords must have a valid reason (just cause) to terminate a tenancy, such as:

• Non-payment of rent
• Violation of lease terms
• Owner move-in (with specific requirements)
• Demolition or substantial renovation
• Other specified reasons under Oregon law

This prevents landlords from evicting tenants without cause, which could otherwise be used to circumvent rent increase caps.

5. How to Check If Your Property Is Covered

To determine if your property is covered by Oregon's rent stabilization law, you need to know:

1. Construction year: Is the property 15 years or older?
2. Property type: Is it a regular residential property, or a manufactured dwelling park/marina?
3. Facility size: If it's a manufactured dwelling park or marina, how many spaces does it have?

You can use RentCheckMe's address checker to quickly determine if your property is covered and what rent increase cap applies.

If you don't know the construction year of your building, you can:

• Check property records with your county assessor's office
• Look up building permits with your local building department
• Ask your landlord or property manager

6. Local Ordinances

While Oregon's rent stabilization law applies statewide, some cities have additional local ordinances that may provide additional protections or requirements. For example:

• Portland: Has additional relocation assistance requirements for certain types of evictions
• Eugene: Has its own local housing regulations

Tenants should be aware of both state and local laws that may apply to their situation.

7. Penalties for Violations

Landlords who violate Oregon's rent stabilization laws may face penalties:

• Improper rent increases: Landlords who increase rent in violation of SB 608 are liable to the tenant for three months' rent plus actual damages suffered by the tenant.
• Improper termination: Landlords who terminate a tenancy for a "qualifying reason" but fail to meet the requirements are liable for three months' rent plus actual damages, and the tenant has a defense to an eviction action.

Tenants must commence an action asserting violations within one year after they knew or should have known of the violation.

8. Future Changes

Senate Bill 722 (2025): This proposed legislation would reduce the exemption period for new construction from 15 years to 7 years, extending rent stabilization protections to approximately 40,000 additional housing units. It would also prohibit the use of price-fixing AI software in rent determination. Check with the Oregon Legislature for the current status of this bill.

The rent increase caps are recalculated annually by the Oregon Department of Administrative Services based on the Consumer Price Index. The maximum allowable rent increase percentage for each year is published by September 30 for the following calendar year.

9. Resources and Additional Information

For more information about Oregon's rent stabilization law, consult:

• Oregon Department of Administrative Services - Rent Stabilization
• Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS 90.323, 90.324, 90.600)
• Your local housing authority or tenant rights organization
• A qualified attorney familiar with Oregon landlord-tenant law

Important: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and regulations can change, and individual circumstances may vary. For specific legal questions about your rental situation, consult with a qualified attorney.