Portland Passes Tenant Screening Restrictions

The Portland, Oregon city council recently passed new laws restricting landlords in screening for rental applicants.

Landlords must give 72 hours notice before accepting applications, then are required to accept the first qualified applicant. The income and credit score requirements landlords may use are capped. Landlords’ use of criminal background checks is limited.

The new laws are aimed addressing homelessness and housing affordability. Critics argue the new laws will drive some landlords out of the market, making rents more expensive and exacerbating the problems.