SALEM, Ore. (KOIN) — With a sweep of her pen, Gov. Kate Brown made Oregon the first state in the nation with mandatory rent control.
The governor signed Senate Bill 608 into law, which protects renters from being gouged by landlords and prevents no-cause evictions.
In a statement, the Oregon House Democrats said “Senate Bill 608 creates a fairer system that will provide predictability and stability to renters throughout the state, while not discouraging new construction.”
Every Oregonian should have access to housing choices that allow them and their families to thrive. Today I signed the country’s first statewide rent control bill, providing immediate relief to Oregonians struggling to keep up with rising rents. pic.twitter.com/mRYBv1k2Ng— Governor Kate Brown (@OregonGovBrown) February 28, 2019
The new law — which takes effect immediately — puts a statewide limit on rent increases: no more than 7% plus the consumer price index during a one-year period as well as putting a ban on no-cause evictions for the first year a person is renting a dwelling.
New York has a statewide rent control law, but cities can choose whether to participate.
Doug Bibby is the president of the National Multifamily Housing Council, a national association representing apartments. He says the Oregon bill won’t fix much and it “makes it harder for apartment owners to make upgrades.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.