Portland requires landlords to pay relocation assistance in many no-cause terminations and large rent increases.
Portland by the numbers
| Measure | Figure | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024 estimate) | 635,749 | City of Portland, down 2.6% since the 2020 census base. |
| Poverty rate, Multnomah County | 12.7% | Census SAIPE 2024 county estimate. |
| Median household income, Multnomah County | $90,423 | Census SAIPE 2024 county estimate. |
| Traffic deaths, Multnomah County, 2022 | 88 | 11.06 per 100,000 residents (countywide, not city only). NHTSA FARS. |
Renter relocation assistance
In Portland, a landlord may owe a tenant relocation assistance when the tenancy ends or changes in certain ways. To be eligible you must live within Portland city limits, you must not live with your landlord, and your tenancy must not be week to week. For-cause terminations do not qualify.
- A no-cause eviction.
- Non-renewal of a fixed-term lease, unless it becomes month to month.
- Termination for a qualified landlord reason.
- A rent increase of 10 percent or more over 12 months.
- A substantial change in lease terms.
How much and how it works
- Studio or single room occupancy: $2,900.
- One bedroom: $3,300.
- Two bedrooms: $4,200.
- Three bedrooms or larger: $4,500.
- Landlords must give written notice at least 90 days before the effective date, and the notice must describe your rights and state the relocation amount you may receive.
- Landlords must tell the Portland Housing Bureau about each payment within 30 days of paying.
- Accepting the assistance means you must move out or return the money.
Exemptions and penalties
There are 12 exemptions, such as a landlord who shares the dwelling with the tenant, an owner-occupied duplex where the landlord rents the second unit and certain temporary rentals of a principal residence. Most exemptions require the landlord to file with the Portland Housing Bureau and receive an acknowledgement letter. A landlord who does not comply can owe up to three times the monthly rent plus actual damages, the relocation assistance and attorney fees and costs.
If you received a notice
- Check the notice for the 90-day period and the relocation amount.
- Confirm whether your landlord claims an exemption and whether it was filed.
- Contact the Rental Services Helpdesk at 503-823-1303 or RentalServices@portlandoregon.gov. The City lists phone hours on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.
- Keep copies of the notice, your lease and rent increase letters.
Oregon rules that also apply in Portland
City rules sit on top of state law. In Oregon, individuals can bring small claims of up to $10,000, the personal injury filing deadline is generally 2 years and landlords have about 31 days to return a security deposit. See the full Oregon legal guide for statutes and notes.
| Small claims limit | $10,000 |
|---|---|
| Personal injury deadline | 2 years |
| Security deposit return | 31 days |
Related guides: how evictions work, security deposit rules, tenant repairs and habitability and how small claims court works.
Where to get help in Portland
- Rental Services Helpdesk: 503-823-1303, RentalServices@portlandoregon.gov.
- Legal Services Corporation: find a legal aid office
- LawHelp.org
Sources and how we checked
Local rules above were read on the official pages below on 2026-10-20. City rules change, so check the page before you act.
- City of Portland: Renter relocation assistance
- Population: U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2024 estimates (SUB-EST2024).
- Poverty and income: Census Bureau SAIPE 2024 county estimates.
- Traffic deaths: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2022 data, summed by county.