Rent

Answer: Here is a summary of ORS 90.260, the late fee statute.

Answer: Sewer changes are considered a utility. ORS 90.532 ("Billing methods for utility or service charges") provides that, subject to certain exceptions, landlords may provide for utilities or services to tenants by one or more of several alternative billing methods, depending upon the billing "relationship" between landlord and tenant: 1.

Answer: The submetering statutes, ORS 90.531 - 90.539 are complex and confusing. As most owners and managers know who have explored converting to submeters, the concept is relatively simple. But the devil is in the details, i.e. the statutes. The basic concept is that for communities with utilities [e.g.

Answer: There is no specific law regarding this issue. However, you clearly understand the ramifications i.e. if a service or amenity is withdrawn, the inference usually is that the landlord has received some financial benefit. In this case, the "benefit" is that the landlord is no longer responsible for maintenance, and the resident is.

Answer: HB 2639 will become effective on July 1, 2014. It applies to all housing, whether or not it is manufactured housing inside of a community.

By Troy Brost Owner SongBrook MHC, Eugene, Past President and Legislative Chair of Manufactured Housing Communities of Oregon The title of this Community Update should have caught your attention. It is not a gimmick, I have done it myself. Adam Cook's MHCO Community Update article, "Can You Afford to Keep Utilities Included in Your Rent?" from last week is spot on!

By Adam Cook, President of Commonwealth Real Estate Services Part 1 of 2 For better than two decades, one of the most significant and unpredictable factors influencing the bottom line of multifamily housing properties has been rising utility costs.

Answer: There are several issues here. One, you've accepted rent from the occupant for the last several months. For all intents and purposes, you have accepted him as a tenant - even though he is not there on a written rental agreement and even though you have no criminal background check on him. Even if your rules prohibit subleasing, that too, has been waived.

Answer: First and foremost, send the checks back as soon as they come in. Do not hold onto them, as there is Oregon case law saying that doing so for an unreasonable amount of time can constitute acceptance. Include a letter with the checks reiterating what you told him about the necessity of the repairs and the need to sign the rental agreement.

Answer: A temporary occupant is not supposed to be paying the rent. You are not allowed to screen for the occupant’s ability to pay, because they are not a tenant. Your acceptance of rent from the occupant creates an appearance that the occupant is really a tenant. Secondly, the law says that a temporary occupant may not live in the home unless there is a tenant there as well.