Oregon Statewide Rent Control (SB 608)

Summary

Oregon was the first state in the U.S. to implement statewide rent control, placing a strict annual cap on how much a landlord can increase your rent.

Rights & Rules

01.
A landlord CANNOT increase your rent during the first year of your tenancy.
02.
After the first year, the landlord can only increase the rent once in any 12-month period.
03.
The maximum rent increase allowed is 7% PLUS the West Coast Consumer Price Index (inflation rate), or 10%—whichever is lower. (The exact maximum changes every year and is published by the state).
04.
EXCEPTIONS: The rent cap does NOT apply to buildings that are less than 15 years old, or to landlords who provide subsidized affordable housing.

Penalties

01.
Landlords who illegally raise the rent above the cap must pay the tenant three months' rent as a penalty, plus actual damages and attorney's fees.

Verified Citations

Oregon Revised Statutes Section 90.323

Source

"A landlord may not increase the rent more than once during any 12-month period. A landlord may not increase the rent by a percentage that is greater than seven percent plus the September annual 12-month average change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers..."