Q: We own rental house in Portland Oregon and would like to end our fixed-term lease with the current tenant.
This is the first year of the lease, which expires 3/31/24. Can we terminate the lease without cause, and if not, what are the reasons we can terminate a lease during the first year of tenancy without having to pay relocation fees? Thank you!
A: You need to start with what the written lease says about termination and/or renewal of the tenancy. Some leases automatically renew unless one of the parties provides notice of their intent to not renew - usually with a minimum advanced time period for such notice (30 days, 60 days, etc.). Under Oregon law, a landlord can terminate a fixed term lease without cause IF the date of the fixed term lease falls within the first year of occupancy and the landlord provides at least 30 days advanced written notice. After the first year of occupancy, a permitted reason is the only basis for terminating a lease without cause. However, if it is in Portland, then 90 days advanced written notice are required regardless of whether it is during the first year of occupancy. Regardless, if the rental is within the Portland city limits, the landlord owes relocation assistance for any no cause termination unless they happen to qualify for one of the exemptions and jump through the hoops to perfect it (letter from Portland Housing Bureau, etc.).
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