Landlord Cause Notices
If you've lived somewhere for more than a year, your landlord can only give you a termination notice if:
- You do something wrong,
- Your landlord only has two rentals and they live in one of them, or
- They have a "qualifying landlord reason."
Your landlord has a qualifying landlord reason to ask you to move if:
- They sold the rental unit to someone who plans to move into the rental;
- The landlord’s close relative (or the landlord) wants to move in;
- The rental unit will be repaired or remodeled and you can’t safely live there while the work is happening; or
- They plan to demolish the rental unit or change the rental unit to a non-residential property.
A landlord cause notice might be called any of these things:
- "90-Day Termination For Cause (Qualifying Owner Reason after 1st year),"
- "90-Day Notice of Termination,"
- "Qualifying Landlord Reason Termination Notice," or
- Something else.
You probably got a landlord cause notice if it says you have to move because of one of the four qualifying landlord reasons.
If your landlord gives you a landlord cause notice, they must give you at least 90 days to move out.
Maybe. If your landlord owns five or more units, they must include a check with the notice. The check must be for one month’s rent.
- For Portland Renters: Your landlord may have to give you more than one month’s rent to help with moving costs. Learn more about the rules for Portland at the city's Rental Services Office website.
Your landlord's termination notice might not be legal.
You may have a legal right to sue the landlord for:
- Three months’ rent, and
- Damages for any harm this caused you.
You may also use the landlord’s violation as a reason to stop an eviction based on that Notice.
If you want to fight the eviction or delay moving out, talk to a lawyer.