Domiciling

[elessa]

Feeling a bit defeated. Rent increases as of May 1 to an amount equivalent to one paycheck. Decided to look into purchasing property rather than continuing to rent. I have come to the realisation that is not going to occur during the next couple years at least

Comments

[elessa]

The lack of rent control in both Oregon and Washington is appalling. A landlord can increase rent by any percentage they feel the market can bear. My rent increased 11%. I have heard anecdotes of rents increasing by 50%.

Also, a landlord only has to give 20 days notice on a year's lease in Washington. In Oregon it is 30 days. They can give notice for any reason they want to evict. Doesn't have to be for nonpayment of rent or destruction of property.

The vacancy rate is 3% right now. So yeah, trying to find a place to move to as a renter is extremely difficult.

It is insane what is being rented too. Sheds are being rented out. Garages. Unfinished basements. Places with no bathrooms or stoves. They go for over $1000 a month! People are that desperate to find a place to live.

AirBNB doesn't help either. Contributing to the lack of apartments to rent are people who have money and see a way to get more. There was a recent article in the Oregonian about multiple people each renting six to twelve apartments and then putting them onto AirBNB for short term rentals. That takes rental properties out of the marketplace for people to lease long term to live in and work here.