Portland, OR asked in Landlord - Tenant for Oregon

Q: I called the police last night because of my neighbors above me causing so many disturbances

And when I saw my neighbor today she threatened to beat me up if I made a complaint. My landlord has refused to acknowledged my messages letting her know what’s going on. I filed another police report today about the threat. What else can I do?

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1 Lawyer Answer
Gregory L Abbott
Gregory L Abbott
Answered
  • Landlord Tenant Lawyer
  • Portland, OR
  • Licensed in Oregon

A: You need to protect yourself by sending your notice/complaint to the landlord in WRITING - yes, on paper, not just electronically, with a date and signature on it, saving a copy and delivering it either personally or by mail. If mail, it MUST be sent by regular first class mail, NOT certified or at least not certified only. I do recommend get a Certificate of Mailing at the post office when you send it however - that is your proof that you mailed something that day to that address. Coupled with your testimony, if ever needed, that the specific letter is what you mailed - see, the dates match - should be more than adequate proof of your issuing the written complaint. You should specify dates, times, exact details of the incident and request that the landlord take action to prevent further incidents. If they do not, and there are more incidents, you do a follow-up written letter with the new details and telling the landlord that your right to peaceful and quiet enjoyment of your tenancy is being interfered with and again request they intervene. If there is still a 3rd incident, you may want to review everything with a local landlord-tenant attorney. Understand your letters to the landlord are really documenting the facts; informing the landlord so they cannot deny knowledge in the future; and that you really are writing to the Judge or Jury more than to the landlord, in case it comes to that. So keep it polite, civil, and focused. It is not the time to include other grievances or complaints - short, sweet, directly on point, and requesting action. Good luck.

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