Reaction mixed to Bend’s rental-notice extension

No matter the season, an ever-growing issue in Bend is housing. Whether you are looking to rent or buy a home, affordable options are limited, and the rental market could become even more strained.

There were mixed reactions to a Bend City Council decision Wednesday night to extend “no-cause” termination notices to month to month renters from 60 to 90 days after their first year of residency.

Councilors who voted yes on the decision said they hope it will give tenants more time to find another place to live if they receive the notice. But, landlords attending the meeting said they will adjust their personal rental policies if tenants fail to pay rent during those three months.

“The problem is they are going to raise their rents and they’re going to raise their security deposits”, said Councilor Casey Roats, one of the two no votes on the seven-member council. ” First and last security deposits are going to be higher, which defeats the purpose of trying to help people find housing, because even if we do give people and extra 30 or 60 days, if they can’t afford the next house, have we really done them any favors?’

Departing Councilor Victor Chudowsky was the other no vote. Departing Mayor Jim Clinton, departing Councilor Doug Knight and colleagues Nathan Boddie, Sally Russell and Barb Campbell approved the motion.

Chudowsky and Roats said the move wouldn’t solve the affordable housing problem and could make it worse for some tenants, depending on how their landlords react. However, those in favor stated it brings more “balance” and fairness to the landlord and tenant relationship.

Hasson Company Realtor Edie DeLay said landlords will probably consider just selling their homes instead of renting it, to make a better profit.

“If a landlord had a single-family home or a townhome and just decides, ‘This really isn’t worth it,’ (he then sells it) and somebody purchases it,” DeLay said. “Now they are living in it, rather than it being on the rental market. (Now) there is one less rental on the market.”

Month-to-month renter Cody King has lived in Bend for about two years, and he said he can see both sides of the argument.

“I don’t think it’s completely fair to the landlord ,because this is their property, money and investment that they’re not able to make money off of,” King said. ” But I can also see why it would be beneficial to a tenant, with the economy and market in Bend. There’s multiple months of waiting lists on a lot of these apartments.”

Ultimately, landlords have the ability to raise deposits and rent prices, rather than risk not making a profit because of a “no-cause” eviction.