Oregon Public Broadcasting

Two city governments in Oregon took steps this week to address problems with rental housing. Rob Manning reports.

Renters in Corvallis may soon have help with landlords who drag their feet on requests for repairs. City officials are looking at requiring prompt action. 

Portland renters and landlords  will be living under a new set of rules intended to make units safer.

New recommendations from a rental housing workgroup focus on updating codes for lead and mold, as well as educating tenants and landlords.

There's also new funding recommended through an annual fee and higher fines.

Debra Imsey, at Metro Multi-Modal Housing, says the idea is to crack down on negligent landlords.

Debra Imsey: “It focuses on the bad actors. And that’s really what we want to do is get rid of the bad actors.”

The Portland recommendations also call for safeguards for renters, so they don’t  suffer retaliation, if they complain.