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Community Development

Rental Resources for Tenants

  • We have compiled a list of useful tenant resources that apply to Gresham housing.

  • COVID-19 Resources

    Resources are available to help support Gresham residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Read more about COVID-19 community resources.

    Eviction Help

    Multnomah County

    COVID-19 eviction protection

    Oregon renters are protected from nonpayment evictions by Oregon Senate Bill 278 through March 1, 2022.

    To qualify, Oregon renters must apply for rent assistance and provide documentation of their application to their landlords. 

    Read more about COVID-19 eviction protection.

    Mediation

    Prevent eviction with mediation services.

    For tenants and landlords who have shared concerns around rent and fees, contact East County Resolutions. This is a free service that helps both sides talk and work out a solution. Call 503-618-3247.

    File a Complaint

    The City inspects rentals based on complaints related to safety violations, not cosmetic issues. 

    Complaint process

    Step 1. Report the issue to your landlord

    • Report the issue to your property manager in writing.
    • Wait two weeks to allow scheduling of repairs.
    • If you don’t receive a response within two weeks, contact us.
    • If you’re experiencing a serious safety issue, contact your property manager immediately. If they don’t provide a timely response, contact us. Examples of serious safety issues include a heater not functioning during cold weather, electrical hazards, flooding, etc.

    Step 2. Contact the City

    • Submit your complaint through My Gresham.
    • Please provide the following information:
      • Your address
      • A copy of your written maintenance request
      • Photos or links to videos that document the issue(s)
    • We will contact you to ask for additional information and may schedule an inspection.
    • The City may perform an inspection. Inspectors must receive your consent before entering your rental. To save time, submit a consent form in advance.
    • If violations are confirmed, we’ll send a violation notice to the property owner and impose a timeline to correct violations.

    Retaliation

    It is illegal for landlords to retaliate against tenants for reporting issues to the City.

    Examples of retaliation may include increasing rent, decreasing services, serving a notice to terminate tenancy, or threatening to bring an action for possession if a tenant lodges reasonable complaints about the rental, testifies against the landlord in court, or otherwise tries to assert their legal rights as a tenant.

    Contact us

    If you have questions, contact us at RentalInspection@GreshamOregon.gov or 503-618-2248.

    Mold

    Mold can impact indoor air quality. If you are exposed to mold inside your home, you or your family members may experience allergic reactions or respiratory problems.

    The only way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture in your home.  

    Read more about how to control mold below. To file a complaint about mold in your rental home, please see the File a Complaint tab above.

    Rent Assistance

    211

    211 offers assistance with shelter, housing and rent assistance. Dial 211 or visit 211info.org.

    Multnomah County emergency rent assistance

    If you are a Multnomah County resident and are struggling to pay your rent (current and overdue) due to the pandemic, you may be eligible to receive assistance.

    Read about Multnomah County emergency rent assistance.  

    Oregon emergency rental assistance

    The Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program helps eligible low-income households with their past due rent and utilities.

    Read about Oregon emergency rental assistance.

    Rental Housing Inspection Program

    The City conducts random, mandatory inspections throughout the year on residential rental properties in Gresham.

    Read more about the rental housing inspection program.

    Additional resources

    Renter Rights and Responsibilities

    Renter rights

    • Legal advice: Renters should contact Legal Aid Services of Oregon for free advice if they feel a rent increase is unlawful or they have complaints about discrimination or other legal issues. Call 503-224-4086.
    • General information on renters’ rights: The Community Alliance of Tenants provides renters with information about their rights. Renters Rights Hotline: 503-288-0130

    Rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords

    Additional tenant rights resources

    Utilities Assistance

    Help with utilities and garbage bills  

    The City offers financial assistance to qualified applicants struggling to pay utility or garbage bills.

    Read about the utility financial assistance program.

    Additional Resources

    Local housing assistance

    211

    211 offers assistance with shelter, housing and rent assistance. Dial 211 or visit 211info.org.

    Human Solutions

    Human Solutions partners with people to achieve long-term housing security.

    Read about Human Solutions’ services.

    Multnomah County

    Healthy Housing Program

    Multnomah County has worked to improve the health and quality of substandard housing and help sustain programs that improve the public’s health as it relates to where they live.

    Read about the County’s healthy housing program.

    Vector and Nuisance Control

    Vector Control protects human health through control of the rat and mosquito populations, and serves as a resource for addressing public health vector problems. 

    Read about Multnomah County vector control and code enforcement.

    Mediation

    For tenants and landlords who have shared concerns around rent, fees or other issues, contact East County Resolutions. This free service helps both sides talk and work out a solution. Call 503-618-3247.