Oregon Rent Increase Rules

Oregon became the first state in the US to enact statewide rent control when SB 608 was signed into law in 2019. The law caps annual rent increases for qualifying properties and requires substantial advance notice—making it one of the most tenant-protective rent regimes in the nation.

Disclaimer: This guide provides general legal information for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult a licensed attorney in Oregon for advice specific to your situation. Information last verified: March 2026.

The Statewide Rent Control Cap

For residential rental units that are 15 years old or older, landlords cannot raise the rent by more than 7% plus the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in any 12-month period. The combined total is further capped at a maximum of 10%, regardless of how high inflation runs.

The Oregon Department of Administrative Services (DAS) publishes the maximum allowable increase percentage by September 30 of each year for the following calendar year.

Who Is Exempt?

The rent control cap does not apply to:

• New construction: Units that received their first certificate of occupancy within the last 15 years.
• Subsidized housing: Units where rent is tied to a government subsidy program.
• The first year of tenancy: During the first 12 months of a new tenancy (excluding week-to-week agreements), the landlord cannot increase rent at all.

90 Days' Written Notice Required

All rent increases in Oregon require at least 90 days' written notice to the tenant. This is one of the longest notice periods in the nation and applies to both month-to-month and fixed-term tenancies.

Once Per 12 Months

Landlords can only increase rent once within any 12-month period. This prevents landlords from issuing small, frequent increases that effectively exceed the annual cap.

Fixed-Term Leases

During a fixed-term lease, the rent generally cannot be increased unless the lease agreement explicitly contains a rent escalation clause. At the end of the fixed term, the landlord may increase the rent for the renewal (with 90 days' notice and within the cap).

No Retaliatory Increases

Oregon law prohibits landlords from raising rent in retaliation against a tenant who has:

• Complained about habitability issues.
• Reported building code violations.
• Exercised any right under ORS Chapter 90.

Best Practices for Oregon Landlords

1. Check the DAS Website Annually: The maximum increase percentage changes every year. Always verify the current cap before issuing a rent increase notice.
2. Track the 12-Month Clock: Maintain records of when the last rent increase took effect for each unit. The 12-month window must fully elapse before the next increase.
3. Issue 90-Day Notices Early: Send rent increase notices at least 100 days in advance to account for mail delivery and ensure compliance.

How Landager Can Help

Landager automatically calculates the maximum allowable rent increase for each of your Oregon units based on the property's age and the current DAS-published cap. The system tracks the 12-month interval and generates compliant 90-day notice letters—ensuring you never exceed the cap or miss a deadline.

Back to Oregon Landlord-Tenant Laws Overview.