New Law Effective January 1 Relating to Deceased Apartment Tenants

As a landlord with tenants who live alone -- what do you do if they die?

A new Oregon law taking effect January 1 2010 provides the same rights as a tenant to the certain individuals. These individuals, if claiming rights, must be able to provide reasonable evidence of their status: (a) personal representatives (b) heirs or devisees, or (c) any person designated in writing by the tenant to be contacted by the landlord if the tenant dies.

The bill provides for certain specific language to be contained in any abandoned property notice, and that a copy of the notice be sent to: the Oregon Department of State Lands, any personal representative, heir, devisee, or designated person the landlord knows of.

Landlords must NOT release any property until the Oregon Department of State Lands approves the disposition.

If a landlord complies with this process, they are not liable to others who have claims to the property.