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COVID-19 Oregon Real Estate Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Oregon on
Q: Seller of a rented home wants the buyer to take over as tenant 30 days after closing. What can new owners do to renters?

Seller says a 90 day notice to vacate will be given once the house closes. I don't think the renters are paying rent but I am not sure. Is there anyway to get them to vacate by offering money to leave the rental once we take ownership without having to go through an eviction? How long could we... View More

Gregory L Abbott
Gregory L Abbott
answered on May 3, 2021

Sure - anything (more or less) that you and the tenants can agree to is likely to work - bribery has long proven an effective way to accomplish some goals. BUT if you are the buyer, with all due respect, you are crazy if you don't make the seller getting the tenants out (instead of you) as a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Oregon on
Q: I received a 90 day notice - LL wants to sell - via text. I'm current on rent & lease ends in Nov. Can they do this?

I am worried about finding a new rental in this current market within 90 days. Does the notice have to be mailed or hand delivered? Also, is wanting to sell a justified reason for an early termination within the pandemic? Would they have to pay any moving costs or penalties? Any advice would... View More

Gregory L Abbott
Gregory L Abbott
answered on Mar 23, 2021

Much depends upon where your dwelling is located and how long you have resided there. That said, email or text is never a lawful means of serving a tenant a termination of tenancy notice and is most likely unenforceable. I interpret your posting to mean that you have a fixed term lease through... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Oregon on
Q: In Oregon do I have to wait for my rental to sell before I can ask owner for moving expenses during this pandemic?

I was notified our rental is being put on the market to be sold. Once sold, I may be given 90 days to move. At what point, if any, would The property owner be liable to pay for moving expenses? I read it could be up to one months rent. We are in a pandemic and rentals are scarce so if I have an... View More

Gregory L Abbott
Gregory L Abbott
answered on Mar 21, 2021

If you are not within the Portland city limits, and your landlord (not just property manager) owns 5 or more rental units in Oregon, then you will likely be entitled to receive one month's rent as relocation assistance with receipt of a valid 90 day Notice of Termination of Tenancy. If within... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Oregon on
Q: In Oregon, I have a tenant who's lease is ending in March. Can I choose not to renew their lease?

With the moratorium, I don't know if I can choose not to renew their lease at the end of it. The plan for this property was to rent it for two years, and then sell it. This is the end of the second year, and I'd like to sell the property, before the capital gains taxes become applicable.

Gregory L Abbott
Gregory L Abbott
answered on Dec 21, 2020

One of the subtle changes that has been made over the pandemic is exactly what provisions of Oregon Landlord-Tenant law the moratorium applies to. Currently, you are allowed to sell your rental property so long as you comply with all the requirements of ORS 90.427 (5)(d). IF your rental dwelling... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for Oregon on
Q: I am purchasing home from landlord and signed a contract, but turns out someone else is on title who did not sign-off.

A few months ago my landlord gave me a 90 day notice via email (despite moratorium against no-cause evictions) because they wanted to put house on market. I then entered a contract to purchase the house, and only they signed. It turns-out another person is on the title. I have had some problems... View More

Gregory L Abbott
Gregory L Abbott
answered on Oct 16, 2020

No one can tell you the sale status without reviewing your escrow agreement and/or sales agreement. It would seem likely, however, that you may have breach of contract claims if the seller is unable to provide you with a clean Title to the property. You may wish to review everything with a local... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Oregon on
Q: I just bought a home occupied by tenants who have a verbal lease, and haven't paid rent in months what rights do I have?

My husband and I bought a property that includes a home, a large shop, a pivot, and 47 acres. The prior owner and leaser have no written contract, is currently late on payments. The home in question however, is occupied by the leaser's employee. The leaser tried to file bankruptcy to try to... View More

Gregory L Abbott
Gregory L Abbott
answered on Sep 26, 2020

You need to fully review everything with a local landlord-tenant attorney. You are extremely limited in what you can do. You SHOULD have made getting rid of the tenant a condition of closing the sale. If you are intending to use the dwelling as your primary residence, the seller would have had... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Oregon on
Q: What happens if I cannot move out by the time indicated on my notice to vacate?

My house closing has been pushed back past when I am supposed to be out of my apartment and the landlord says I cannot stay longer. What happens if I stay past my move out date. I only need an additional 4 days.

Gregory L Abbott
Gregory L Abbott
answered on Jul 9, 2020

No worries - while your landlord won't like it, and you will still owe rent for the additional days, the only thing the landlord can legally do is file to evict you in court. Not only does that cost him money, but your first court appearance cannot be before 7 days after he files (and no... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Oregon on
Q: My landlord is trying to have me sign another year lease. Am I required to sign during this uncertain time?

The lease would go from 5/31/2020 to 6/1/2021. I am nervous to sign because of all the economic uncertainty.

Gregory L Abbott
Gregory L Abbott
answered on May 13, 2020

You are never required to sign any document, let alone a year long lease. However, if you elect not to, you may subject to whatever termination procedures are listed in your current lease. Different leases handle the topic differently - some just expire on the termination date, you are expected... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for Oregon on
Q: Can relators show houses while tenants still live in the home during covid-19 in the state of Oregon ?

I have lived in the same rental home for going on 6 years now in the state of Oregon.

Recently I was notified that the property owner “landlord” is selling the home in which I rent.

My landlord has had relators and photographers come into the home while taking no precautions... View More

Gregory L Abbott
Gregory L Abbott
answered on May 6, 2020

A landlord has to provide at least 24 hrs notice of intent to enter, be it to show to prospective buyers or any other non true emergency reason. The tenant is free to simply say no. If the landlord enters anyway, the tenant may be entitled to recover a month's rent in damages and/or a court... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Oregon on
Q: Our landlord just told us he's not renewing our lease and we have 2 months to get out. Is that legal right now?

Our lease expires July 1st, and he just sent us an email 3 days ago saying that he's not going to be renewing our lease and he expects us to be out by the date of expiration. We have been living here for 3 years, he does not live on the premises and as far as I know, this is the only property... View More

Gregory L Abbott
Gregory L Abbott
answered on Apr 23, 2020

IF you have been there for more than a year, then the landlord MUST provide you at least 90 days advanced written notice that they do not intend to renew your lease and then only for a statutorily permitted reason. It sounds as if you have not gotten at least 90 days advanced notice; any... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for Oregon on
Q: Our landlord has put up a for sale sign in the yard and want to show the house tomorrow. Are they allowed to do this?

I’m asking primarily because of covid-19 and we have been sick (untested).

Gregory L Abbott
Gregory L Abbott
answered on Apr 17, 2020

Sure they can as long as they give you at least 24 hrs advanced notice before entering. You, however, are also free to say "no, please do not enter" and they have to respect that. Any tenant can always refuse entry to a landlord (or anyone else except police with a warrant) by simply... View More

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