Just cause eviction rules in Portland, OR — sometimes called tenant protection or "for cause" eviction ordinances — list the specific legal reasons a landlord can end a tenancy.
After the first year of occupancy, Portland landlords may terminate a tenancy only for one of the statutory 'qualifying' or 'tenant-cause' reasons under Oregon ORS 90.427. Portland City Code Chapter 30.01.085 adds local relocation-assistance duties when a no-cause termination occurs in the first year or when a qualifying landlord-cause termination is used.
Oregon's statewide just-cause eviction law (SB 608, codified at ORS 90.427) eliminated no-cause terminations for tenancies of more than 12 months. After the first 12 months, a landlord may only terminate using a 'tenant-cause' notice (24 hours for outrageous conduct under ORS 90.396, 72 hours for nonpayment under ORS 90.394, 10/20/30-day for-cause under ORS 90.392) or a 'qualifying landlord reason' under ORS 90.427(5): (1) demolition or conversion to non-residential use, (2) major repairs requiring vacancy for safety, (3) landlord or immediate family moving in, or (4) sale to a buyer who will occupy. A qualifying-reason termination requires 90 days' written notice plus payment of one month's rent as relocation assistance, except landlords with four or fewer units are exempt from the statewide relocation payment. Portland's FAIR Ordinance (PCC 30.01.085) requires substantially larger relocation payments ($2,900-$4,500) for any no-cause or qualifying-reason termination within Portland, with no small-landlord exemption.
Tenant may recover three months' rent plus actual damages for a wrongful termination (ORS 90.427(8)). Portland's FAIR relocation amounts owed are recoverable through Multnomah County Circuit Court; failure to pay is a defense to eviction. Portland Housing Bureau accepts complaints.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Multnomah County.
See how other cities in Multnomah County handle just cause eviction.
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