The City of Corvallis Rental Housing Program was initiated by the City Council in 1999. The program is designed to be a resource for people who have rental housing issues or concerns. The Program is available to all citizens who have questions or concerns about rental housing in the city, including property owners, property managers, tenants, neighbors, and any other interested parties.

In 2002, the City Council passed an ordinance creating a Rental Housing Code and adding Code enforcement responsibility to the Rental Housing Program. The Code provides minimum habitability standards in six areas: structural integrity, plumbing, heating, weatherproofing, smoke detectors, and properly working door locks and window latches.

• Purpose of the Rental Housing Program
• Benefits of the Rental Housing Program
• What to Expect When You Call
• Referral Resources
• Rental Housing Code

Purpose of the Rental Housing Program:

The Rental Housing Program has four primary purposes:

1. To refer people to community resources that will assist them in getting their rental housing issues resolved;
2. To educate people in the community about the issues that surround rental housing, and where they can find information to learn more about Oregon Landlord/Tenant Law;
3. To collect data on rental housing issues and conditions in Corvallis; and
4. To assure compliance with the habitability standards found in the Rental Housing Code.

Benefits of the Rental Housing Program:

There are several benefits available to people who utilize the City of Corvallis’ Rental Housing Program:

• It provides a knowledgeable resource to help you find your way quickly through the maze of available information;
• It gives you someone to call when other resources are not working for you; and
• Your phone calls may lead to an overall improvement in the condition of rental housing in Corvallis.

What to Expect When You Call:

When you call to report a concern, a Housing Programs Specialist will listen carefully, asking questions to ensure an understanding of the issue(s).

The Specialist will then address your situation in one of several ways. If your issue does not relate to habitability, he or she will refer you to the appropriate agency that can assist you in the best manner (this may be the City’s Development Services or Fire Department, the State’s Manufactured Dwelling Park Ombudsperson, Legal Aid, or other pertinent agencies.) You may also be referred to printed or electronic materials available in the public library or on the Internet.

If you are an OSU student, you will likely be referred to the office of an attorney who is available to you on campus at no cost.

Mediation services are also available locally through Linn-Benton Mediation Services -- 541-928-5323.

If you are a tenant calling about a habitability issue which might be covered by the Corvallis Rental Housing Code, the Housing Programs specialist will outline the process you must go through to communicate with your landlord prior to filing a complaint with the City. He or she also will help you work through the subsequent steps for filing a complaint.

Referral Resources: