April General Meeting Webinar
This month, we’re excited to welcome Ryan Barker from the Oregon Health Authority. In 2022, new laws were introduced imposing significant penalties on landlords and property managers who fail to comply with strict regulations regarding lead-based paint abatement. Anyone performing work that disturbs paint in housing built before 1978 must be certified. This includes property owners, property managers and their staff, general contractors, and specialized trade professionals such as painters, plumbers, carpenters, and electricians. Join us to learn more about your responsibilities and how to avoid costly penalties for non-compliance.

Cutting Costs for Tenant Screening
The Oregon Supreme Court recently ruled that the Eugene Rental Housing Code's $10 limit on screening fees is allowable, reinstating the cap effective March 10, 2025. Additionally, a pending bill in the legislature could eliminate screening fees altogether if it passes. With these changes in mind, here are some strategies to reduce tenant screening costs:

• Require Applicants to Provide a Recent Credit Report
  Ask applicants to submit a copy of their credit report pulled within the last seven days, which they can obtain for free at www.annualcreditreport.com. Credit reports provide valuable insights beyond credit scores, including past addresses. Comparing these to the information provided can help identify potential fraud. Review their payment history, total debt, and collections accounts. If their credit history does not meet your criteria, you can deny the application without proceeding further.
• Verify Income Before Additional Screening
  Request pay stubs, tax returns, or direct employer verification to confirm the applicant’s income. If their income is insufficient, you can deny the application at this stage without incurring additional screening costs.
• Check Landlord References
  Contact previous landlords to verify rental history. If references are unfavorable or cannot be verified, you may deny the application based on that alone. Always confirm that the person providing the reference is the property owner or an authorized manager. Property ownership records are public and can be checked online through the county assessor’s office or by calling the relevant county office.
• Conduct a Nationwide Criminal and Eviction History Check Last
  If all other screening criteria are met, proceed with a nationwide criminal and eviction history check as a final step. For applicants who have lived in Oregon their entire lives, you can look up their criminal history online at the Oregon Judicial Department’s Portal. If a similar resource is unavailable in other states, consider limiting costs by performing only the nationwide check through your screening company while handling the rest yourself.
• Adjusting Your Screening Process
  For property management companies or those accepting online applications, consider updating your policies to limit the number of applications you accept. This helps prevent a situation where you must either screen every applicant or refund screening fees.
• The Importance of Verifiable Information
  If you are unable to verify an applicant’s information—whether due to limited rental references, unverifiable employment, or other inconsistencies—you can legally deny the application. Ensuring all provided details are accurate and confirmable is essential for responsible tenant selection.