Students renting homes or apartments with clogged drains, broken thermostats or rotting floors in Eugene don’t have to be soggy, cold or light-footed anymore.
Under the city’s new Rental Housing Code, tenants now have the power to force landlords to act quickly and ensure proper plumbing, heating, weatherproofing and structural integrity, but renters must educate themselves.
According to the new code, a tenant must file a written complaint to the property manager, and the property manager has 10 days to respond to the complaint. If the owner fails to respond, the tenant may file a complaint with the city. The city will investigate, and if the complaint is valid, a written order will be issued for the landlord to make any needed repairs. Each day the landlord doesn’t respond to the complaint, there will be a $250 fine.
Since July, there have been several tenant complaints that are not covered by the new code, including mold, chipped paint and appliances. There has only been one violation involving a broken window (ODE Sept. 30, “Few complain after housing code change”).
All student tenants (University Housing renters, too) should know their rights. The Housing Code, more than a decade in the making, exists to aid renters. Take the action necessary and write to your property manager. The law is in your favor.