Mandatory Renter Relocation Assistance

Information

Renters in Portland who are served a no-cause eviction or encounter any of the triggering events may have the right to be paid relocation assistance from their landlord. Landlords must notify RSO of the payment. For eligible exemptions, see the Administrative Rules.

On this page

Download brochure How to verify a property Administrative Rules

Relocation Assistance - How it Works (1-page flyer)191.96 KB

To view this content in another language, see Translations.

When is a renter eligible for Relocation Assistance?

Renter must live within Portland city limits
Renter does not live with their landlord
Tenancy is not week-to-week

Note: Does not apply to for-cause terminations

Events that trigger Relocation Assistance

Triggering events are, specifically, any of the following:

No-cause eviction
Notice of non-renewal of a fixed term lease (not becoming month-to-month)
Qualified landlord reason for termination
Rent increase of 10% or more over a 12-month period
Substantial change of lease terms

Note: Accepting Relocation Assistance requires Tenant to move out or return the funds.

Written notice

Tenants must receive a written notice for any rent increase or termination of the rental agreement at least 90 days before the effective date. The notice must include:

A description of their rights and obligations, and
The amount of Relocation Assistance they are eligible to receive

All Landlord and Tenant notifications should be provided in writing, which means a letter that is either given to the Landlord or Tenant in person, or sent by first-class mail—not by certified or registered mail. As of January 1, 2024, notifications can also be sent by electronic means if allowed under a written rental agreement (ORS 90.155).

Assistance amounts by rental size

Studio or Single Room Occupancy (SRO) $2,900
1-Bedroom $3,300
2-Bedroom $4,200
3-Bedroom or larger $4,500

Residential rental units within Portland city limits

Relocation Assistance applies to residential rental units within Portland city limits, which can be managed by an owner, a sublessor, or property management company. The units can have either month-to-month rental agreements or fixed-term tenancies, such as 6-month or 1-year leases. Also read about eligible exemptions in the section below.

To verify if your property is within Portland city limits, go to PortlandMaps.com. For instructions, view this guide on how to verify a property.

Notice of payment

Landlords are required to notify PHB of all Relocation Assistance payments within 30 days of making a payment.

File a notice of payment

Landlord exemptions

Under very specific situations identified in Portland City Code 30.01.085, a Landlord may be eligible to apply for an exemption from paying Relocation Assistance. Before applying, carefully review the Administrative Rules which covers exemption eligibility, the approval process, and specific definitions.

The order of events is crucial. Some exemptions require the Landlord to provide a copy of the Acknowledgement Letter to the Tenant prior to the Tenant entering into a Rental Agreement.

Relocation Assistance Exemptions follow a strict criteria

Only the situations listed in the Administrative Rules may be eligible. Most exemptions require a Landlord to file with PHB and receive an Acknowledgement Letter from this office (in most cases, before entering into a rental agreement).

Follow this link for the forms and instructions on how to apply.

Apply for an exemption

Eligible Exemptions

Exemptions 1, 2, 8, 9, and 10, marked with an asterisk (*), do not require filing a form but may have additional stipulations that the Landlord must know.

Week-to-week tenancies*
Landlords that share the same Dwelling Unit as their Tenant(s)*
Landlords that occupy a Duplex as their Principal Residence and rent the second unit
Landlords that rent a Dwelling Unit on a property with an ADU and live on site
Landlords that temporarily rent out their Principal Residence for not more than 3 years
Landlords that temporarily rent out their Principal Residence due to active military service
Landlord is terminating a rental agreement for an Immediate Family Member to occupy the unit
Dwelling Unit is a regulated affordable unit and issuing a rent increase*
Dwelling Unit acquired for public use through eminent domain law*
Dwelling Unit rendered immediately uninhabitable*
Dwelling Unit rented for less than 6 months with demolition permit in place
Fixed term tenancy where Tenant was notified of intent to sell or permanently convert the unit

Note: City obligations and exemptions are separate and in addition to state obligations.

Failure to comply

A Landlord that fails to comply with any of the requirements set forth in Section 30.01.085 shall be liable to the Tenant for an amount up to 3 times the monthly rent as well as actual damages, Relocation Assistance, reasonable attorney fees and costs.