Increase is the second-lowest in Oregon since 2021’s increased inflation

By Julia Shumway, Oregon Capital Chronicle

For the first time in years, Oregon landlords governed by the state’s rent stabilization law can’t hand out double-digit rent increases. 

The Oregon Department of Administrative Services announced Tuesday that the maximum allowed rent increase in 2026 will be 9.5%. A separate 6% cap applies to mobile home facilities with more than 30 spaces because of a new state law. 

Since 2019, Oregon has capped rent increases for buildings older than 15 years at 7% plus inflation. In 2023, after high inflation sent allowable increases soaring to nearly 15%, lawmakers added a hard cap of 10%.  

The 9.5% allowed increase is the second-lowest since Oregon began stabilizing rent, higher only than the low of 9.2% in 2021. Landlords are only allowed to raise rent once in a 12-month period. 

The current average rent in Oregon is $1,895, according to the real estate website Zillow. A 9.5% increase to that rent would cost tenants an extra $180 monthly. 

Julia Shumway has reported on government and politics in Iowa and Nebraska, spent time at the Bend Bulletin and most recently was a legislative reporter for the Arizona Capitol Times in Phoenix, Arizona.