As the federal eviction moratorium has been extended through June, some states, such as Oregon, have taken on the challenge of managing the challenge of past-due rent, and may prove to be the leaders in the country.
States such as Washington and Oregon have long been leaders in rental policy and SB 282 may prove to be a blueprint for other states in the management of past-due rent and related eviction moratorium policy, but landlords and property managers, as they take immediate note, should continue to work with a well-qualified third-party tenant screening agency in order remain compliant with all laws and policies related to tenant screening.
Senate Bill 282 continues to move through Oregon’s legislative process and should this bill be enacted it may prove to be a best practice in managing past-due rent as related to Covid moratoriums. Oregon has often been a leader in housing policy and the potential enactment of SB282 may prove to be another touchpoint in that history.
As concerns about past-due rent and on-going eviction moratoriums, Oregon has taken steps to manage the on-coming crisis.
Senate Bill 282 continues to move through the Oregon legislative body having recently passed the Senate Housing and Development committee.
From PamplinMedia.com on March 30, 2021:
Tenants would get more time to pay past-due rent, and their future ability to rent would be protected, under a bill that is headed to a vote of the Oregon Senate.
An amended Senate Bill 282 was advanced Tuesday, March 30, on a 4-1 vote by the Senate Housing and Development Committee.
Though the bill does not extend the current pandemic-related moratorium on evictions past June 30 — or forgive back rent — it would give them until Feb. 28, 2022, to pay back any rents due from April 1, 2020, or make arrangements to obtain rental assistance. Tenants would have to stay current on rent after July 1, but they could not be evicted for nonpayment of past-due rent during the extended grace period. pamplinmedia.com/pt/266-politics/503155-403091-tenants-could-get-another-break-on-past-due-rent
While working through the challenges of managing past-due rent may be a positive, there are detractors.
From SalemReporter.com on March 10, 2021:
But landlords say the legislation will be another burden after already having forgone rent payments since Gov. Kate Brown issued her initial eviction moratorium in March. Landlords also worry about the state’s ability to deliver promised relief and the legislation will create loopholes for unscrupulous tenants. salemreporter.com/posts/3812/with-the-clock-ticking-on-an-eviction-timebomb-the-oregon-legislature-considers-additional-protections-for-renters
When new laws are enacted and may be as impactful as SB 282 landlords and property managers should take immediate note. A best practice remains to work with a well-qualified third-party tenant screening agency in order to remain compliant with law.
To learn more about why Oregon’s new law may be a precursor of what States need to do to handle the housing past due rents from Covid moratoriums and why giving tenants a year or so to pay back past due rent amounts may not be
feasible without some kind of rental payment relief to landlords from the government read recent TenantScreeningUSA.com press release: Pending Bill in Oregon Senate Could Set the Tone on Covid Related Past-Due Rent; Opines TenantScreeningUSA.com