Rental Resources for Tenants
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We have compiled a list of useful tenant resources that apply to Gresham housing.
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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 an inspection 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.
Documents
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.
We know it can be complicated knowing what housing resources are out there. The City’s housing resources coordinator, Lauren Moran, can help narrow it down for you and steer you in the right direction.
Examples of housing resources the coordinator can help refer someone to:
- Emergency rent and utilities help
- Homeownership down payments
- Fair housing laws, tenant rights
- Landlord/tenant mediation
- Eviction help
- Rental housing inspections and complaints
- Emergency repairs, accessibility modifications/upgrades
Note: Lauren does not place people in housing. Our housing resources coordinator connects people to vital housing services and resources.
To reach the housing services coordinator, email Housing@GreshamOregon.gov or call 503-618-2721.
For additional housing resources, visit our Housing page.
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.
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.
Rental Housing Inspection Program
Renter Rights and Responsibilities
Renter
rights
- Legal advice: Renters should contact
Legal Aid Services of Oregon for 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
Help
with utility bills
The City offers financial assistance to qualified applicants struggling to pay utility bills.
Read about the City's utility financial assistance program.
Our Just Future
Our Just Future, formerly know as Human Solutions, provides utility assistance for low-income residents in East Multnomah County.
Read about Our Just Future utility assistance program.
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.