How much can a landlord raise rent in Oregon?
The short answer
Oregon caps annual rent increases statewide. The maximum percentage is recalculated and published by the state each year, so it has to be checked against the current year rather than assumed. Rent can only be raised once in any twelve-month period, and cannot be raised at all during a tenant's first year.
Last reviewed August 26, 2026
The cap is annual, and it moves
Oregon sets a statewide ceiling on how much rent can rise in a twelve-month period. The figure is derived from a formula tied to inflation and is subject to an overall maximum, which means it is republished every year and is different from the year before.
This is the single most common place a summary goes stale. Any source quoting a specific percentage without a year attached should be treated as unreliable, including this page if its verification date is old. Confirm the current figure before serving a notice.
The rules that do not change year to year
Rent may be increased only once in any twelve-month period, regardless of the amount.
Rent cannot be increased at all during the first year of a tenancy.
Newer buildings are exempt from the cap for a defined period after construction, which is why two properties on the same street can be under different rules.
Where owners get caught
The expensive mistakes are almost never the percentage. They are serving the notice with the wrong lead time, serving it twice in a year, or applying the cap to a property that was exempt and leaving money on the table.
An improperly served increase can expose an owner to penalties well beyond the increase itself, which is why the notice mechanics matter more than the arithmetic.
Why this one bites
Getting this wrong is not a paperwork problem, it is a financial one. The penalty exposure on a badly served increase can exceed several months of the rent you were trying to raise.
Common questions
How often can rent be raised in Oregon?
Once in any twelve-month period, and not at all during a tenant's first year of tenancy.
Are any Oregon properties exempt from the rent cap?
Yes. Newer construction is exempt for a defined period after the building was completed. Whether a specific property qualifies depends on its completion date and should be confirmed rather than assumed.
What happens if a rent increase notice is served incorrectly in Oregon?
An improperly served increase can be invalid and can expose the landlord to penalties that exceed the value of the increase. The notice period and required contents are as legally significant as the amount.
This is a summary, not legal advice.
Oregon landlord-tenant law changes, and how a rule applies depends on the specific property and tenancy. Figures set annually by the state, such as the rent-increase cap, change year to year. This page was verified on August 26, 2026. For a decision with money or a legal deadline attached, confirm against current law or with an attorney. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship.
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