Tenants Rights in Portland, Oregon
April 21, 2009 9:58 AM Subscribe
My apartment house is being sold. How do I avoid getting screwed?
I live in an apartment that's part of a house owned by a family trust. The trust has decided to sell the house, and they'll be listing it next week. The owners will probably keep it as a rental property (it's doesn't seem like a property (age, layout) that would be easy to turn into condos). I signed a one year lease that ran out and has been month to month for a little over a year.
What sort of things do I want to be aware of as far as getting screwed when ownership changes? Screwed meaning giant rent increases, being kicked out really fast, or other things I haven't thought about. What areas of law should I be concentrating my google searches on?
I live in an apartment that's part of a house owned by a family trust. The trust has decided to sell the house, and they'll be listing it next week. The owners will probably keep it as a rental property (it's doesn't seem like a property (age, layout) that would be easy to turn into condos). I signed a one year lease that ran out and has been month to month for a little over a year.
What sort of things do I want to be aware of as far as getting screwed when ownership changes? Screwed meaning giant rent increases, being kicked out really fast, or other things I haven't thought about. What areas of law should I be concentrating my google searches on?
Check your lease for type and amount of notice the landlord needs to kick you out ... that will be important to you.
posted by robinpME at 10:08 AM on April 21, 2009
posted by robinpME at 10:08 AM on April 21, 2009
Ask to sign a lease again if you're worried about being evicted. My house building sold last year (Ontario) and the new owners chose to live in my apartment- they gave me until the end of the lease to move out though (plus they offered a few months' grace if I needed it).
posted by pseudostrabismus at 10:12 AM on April 21, 2009
posted by pseudostrabismus at 10:12 AM on April 21, 2009
Talk to the folks at the Community Alliance of Tenants. And from this:
When an apartment building or other rented property is sold, can the new owners change the rules?
A new landlord cannot substantially change the rules without the tenant's consent. However, if a tenant is renting on a month-to-month basis the landlord can give a 30-day notice to vacate the dwelling. The tenant should contact the new landlord and try to negotiate a new rental agreement.
posted by rtha at 10:42 AM on April 21, 2009
When an apartment building or other rented property is sold, can the new owners change the rules?
A new landlord cannot substantially change the rules without the tenant's consent. However, if a tenant is renting on a month-to-month basis the landlord can give a 30-day notice to vacate the dwelling. The tenant should contact the new landlord and try to negotiate a new rental agreement.
posted by rtha at 10:42 AM on April 21, 2009
You should talk to the current owners ASAP and see if they'll agree to a written lease. With no lease, you have no long-term right to live there. OTOH, the current owners may be reluctant to enter a new lease with you at this point as it may affect their ability to sell.
Either way, it's best to get this issue out of the way up front.
posted by mkultra at 10:44 AM on April 21, 2009
Either way, it's best to get this issue out of the way up front.
posted by mkultra at 10:44 AM on April 21, 2009
It hasn't sold yet. New owners, if any, can, at most, hike the rent, or ask you to leave. Keep your eyes open for a fabulous new place, but otherwise don't worry. It's not in the seller's interest to sign a new lease. It is in the buyer's interest to keep good tenants.
I sold a 2 family last year. The tenant had been paying really low rent, and it was raised, as expected. There was plenty of lead time.
The one thing you should document is the amount of your deposit, if any, and the condition of the rental.
posted by theora55 at 4:27 PM on April 21, 2009
I sold a 2 family last year. The tenant had been paying really low rent, and it was raised, as expected. There was plenty of lead time.
The one thing you should document is the amount of your deposit, if any, and the condition of the rental.
posted by theora55 at 4:27 PM on April 21, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Oktober at 10:07 AM on April 21, 2009 [1 favorite]