ORS 90.574
Conversion to submeter or pro rata billing for water

(1)

A landlord may unilaterally amend a rental agreement as provided in this section to convert a tenant’s existing utility or service billing method for water or wastewater:

(a)

From rent-included billing or pro rata billing to submeter billing; or

(b)

From rent-included billing to pro rata billing.

(2)

At least one month prior to installing submeters for a billing conversion under subsection (1)(a) of this section or prior to conversion to pro rata billing under subsection (1)(b) of this section, the landlord shall:

(a)

Deliver to each tenant a written notice that describes:

(A)

The landlord’s intention to convert the water billing method;

(B)

The proposed new water and wastewater billing method;

(C)

The reason for the conversion; and

(D)

The process and schedule for the conversion, including the date, time and location of the meeting described in paragraph (c) of this subsection;

(b)

Deliver to each tenant a copy of a handout developed by the Housing and Community Services Department that describes the laws regarding utility conversions and billing; and

(c)

Meet with the tenants to explain the conversion and answer questions regarding utility and service billing and to distribute a sample utility and service charge statement with an explanation of each entry on the statement.

(3)

The department shall prepare a handout described in subsection (2)(b) of this section in consultation with representatives of facility landlords and tenants.

(4)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

If the landlord converts to submeter billing under this section, after the installation of the submeters and before the landlord may convert to submeter billing, the first three utility billing periods shall serve as a trial period during which the landlord shall give the tenant a mock-up example of the submeter billing for each billing period that shows what the tenant’s bill would be using submeter billing.

(b)

Following the trial period described in paragraph (a) of this subsection, a landlord is not required to test the submeters for accuracy.

(5)

If the landlord converts to pro rata billing under this section, after the conversion and no less frequently than every three years, the landlord shall:

(a)

Conduct testing of every portion of any utility or service line for water that serves the common areas and up to the connection to the dwelling or home;

(b)

Make the results of any testing available to the tenants; and

(c)

Fix any leaks within a reasonable time and consistent with ORS 90.730 (Landlord duty to maintain rented space, vacant spaces and common areas in habitable condition).

(6)

If the landlord converts from rent-included billing to pro rata billing or submeter billing under this section, the landlord shall reduce the tenant’s rent on a pro rata basis beginning with the landlord’s first billing of the tenant using pro rata billing or submeter billing by no less than an amount reasonably comparable to the amount of the rent previously allocated to the utility or service cost averaged over at least the 12-month period of available utility or service billings immediately preceding the first billing following the conversion. Before the landlord first bills the tenant using pro rata billing or submeter billing following the conversion, the landlord shall provide the tenant with written documentation from the utility or service provider showing the landlord’s cost for the utility or service provided to the facility during the 12-month period used to determine the rent reduction. A landlord may offset all or part of a rent reduction required by this subsection against a future rent increase provided in a fixed term rental agreement entered into prior to the delivery of the notice of conversion under subsection (2) of this section.

(7)

A landlord that installs submeters under this section may recover from a tenant the cost of installing the submeters, including costs to improve or repair existing utility or service system infrastructure necessitated by the installation of the submeters, only as follows:

(a)

By raising the rent, as with any capital expense in the facility, except that the landlord may not raise the rent for this purpose within the first six months after installation of the submeters; or

(b)

In a manufactured dwelling park, by imposing a special assessment pursuant to a written special assessment plan adopted unilaterally by the landlord. The plan may include only the landlord’s actual costs to be recovered on a pro rata basis from each tenant with payments due no more frequently than monthly over a period of at least 60 months. Payments must be itemized as a separate charge from the utility or service charge. The landlord must give each tenant a copy of the plan at least 90 days before the first payment is due. Payments may not be due before the completion of the installation, and must begin within six months after completion. A new tenant of a space subject to the plan may be required to make payments under the plan. Payments must end when the plan ends. The landlord is not required to provide an accounting of plan payments made during or after the end of the plan.

(8)

A landlord that converts to submeter billing from rent-included billing under this section may unilaterally, and at the same time as the conversion to submeters, convert the billing for common areas to pro rata billing by including the change in the notice required by subsection (2) of this section. If the landlord continues to use rent-included billing for common areas, the landlord may offset against the rent reduction required by subsection (6) of this section an amount that reflects the cost of serving the common areas. If the utility or service provider cannot provide an accurate cost for the service to the common areas, the landlord shall assume the cost of serving the common areas to be 20 percent of the total cost billed. This offset is not available if the landlord chooses to bill for the common areas using pro rata billing.

(9)

If storm water service and wastewater service are not measured by the submeter, a landlord that installs submeters to measure water consumption and converts to submeter billing from rent-included billing under this section may continue to recover the cost of the storm water service or wastewater service in the rent or may unilaterally, and at the same time as the conversion to submeters, convert the billing for the storm water service or wastewater service to pro rata billing by including the change in the notice and meeting required by subsection (2) of this section. If the landlord converts the billing for the storm water service or wastewater service to pro rata billing, the landlord must reduce the rent to reflect that charge, as required by subsection (6) of this section.

(10)

A rental agreement amended under this section must include language that fairly describes the provisions of this section.

(11)

If a landlord installs a submeter on an existing utility or service line to a space or common area that is already served by that line, unless the installation causes a system upgrade, a local government may not assess a system development charge as defined in ORS 223.299 (Definitions for ORS 223.297 to 223.316) as a result of the installation. [Formerly 90.537]

Source: Section 90.574 — Conversion to submeter or pro rata billing for water, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors090.­html.

90.100
Definitions 90.105
Short title 90.110
Exclusions from application of this chapter 90.112
Maximum occupancy limit 90.113
Additional exclusion from application of chapter 90.115
Territorial application 90.120
Applicability of other statutory lien, tenancy and rent provisions 90.125
Administration of remedies 90.130
Obligation of good faith 90.135
Unconscionability 90.140
Types of payments landlord may require or accept 90.145
Tenant or applicant who conducts repairs, routine maintenance or cleaning services not employee of landlord 90.147
Delivery of possession 90.148
Landlord acts that imply acceptance of tenant abandonment or relinquishment of right to occupy 90.150
Service or delivery of actual notice 90.155
Service or delivery of written notice 90.160
Calculation of notice periods 90.220
Terms and conditions of rental agreement 90.222
Renter’s liability insurance 90.228
Notice of location in 100-year flood plain 90.230
Rental agreements for occupancy of recreational vehicle in park 90.243
Qualifications for drug and alcohol free housing 90.245
Prohibited provisions in rental agreements 90.250
Receipt of rent without obligation to maintain premises prohibited 90.255
Attorney fees 90.260
Late rent payment charge or fee 90.262
Use and occupancy rules and regulations 90.263
Vehicle tags 90.265
Interest in alternative energy device installed by tenant 90.275
Temporary occupancy agreement 90.295
Applicant screening charges 90.297
Prohibition on charging deposit or fee to enter rental agreement 90.300
Security deposits 90.302
Fees allowed for certain landlord expenses 90.303
Evaluation of applicant 90.304
Statement of reasons for denial 90.305
Disclosure of certain matters 90.310
Disclosure of legal proceedings 90.315
Utility or service payments 90.316
Carbon monoxide alarm 90.317
Repair or replacement of carbon monoxide alarm 90.318
Criteria for landlord provision of certain recycling services 90.320
Landlord to maintain premises in habitable condition 90.322
Landlord or agent access to premises 90.323
Maximum rent increase 90.324
Calculation of maximum rent increase 90.325
Tenant duties 90.340
Occupancy of premises as dwelling unit only 90.360
Effect of landlord noncompliance with rental agreement or obligation to maintain premises 90.365
Failure of landlord to supply essential services 90.367
Application of security deposit or prepaid rent after notice of foreclosure 90.368
Repair of minor habitability defect 90.370
Tenant counterclaims in action by landlord for possession or rent 90.375
Effect of unlawful ouster or exclusion 90.380
Effect of rental of dwelling in violation of building or housing codes 90.385
Retaliatory conduct by landlord 90.390
Discrimination against tenant or applicant 90.391
Information to veterans required in notice 90.392
Termination of tenancy for cause 90.394
Termination of tenancy for failure to pay rent 90.396
Acts or omissions justifying termination 24 hours after notice 90.398
Termination of tenancy for drug or alcohol violations 90.401
Remedies available to landlord 90.403
Taking possession of premises from unauthorized possessor 90.405
Effect of tenant keeping unpermitted pet 90.410
Effect of tenant failure to give notice of absence 90.412
Waiver of termination of tenancy 90.414
Acts not constituting waiver of termination of tenancy 90.417
Duty to pay rent 90.420
Enforceability of landlord liens 90.425
Disposition of personal property abandoned by tenant 90.427
Termination of tenancy without tenant cause 90.429
Termination of tenancy for certain rented spaces not covered by ORS 90.505 to 90.850 90.430
Claims for possession, rent, damages after termination of rental agreement 90.435
Limitation on recovery of possession of premises 90.440
Termination of tenancy in group recovery home 90.445
Termination of tenant committing criminal act of physical violence 90.449
Landlord discrimination against victim 90.453
Termination by tenant who is victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking 90.456
Other tenants remaining in dwelling unit following tenant termination or exclusion due to domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking 90.459
Change of locks at request of tenant who is victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking 90.460
Alternate exit from bedroom required 90.462
Electric vehicle charging stations 90.465
Right of city to recover from owner for costs of relocating tenant due to condemnation 90.472
Termination by tenant called into active state service by Governor 90.475
Termination by tenant due to service with Armed Forces or commissioned corps of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 90.485
Restrictions on landlord removal of vehicle 90.490
Prohibited acts in anticipation of notice of conversion to condominium 90.493
Prohibited acts following notice of conversion to condominium 90.505
Definitions for ORS 90.505 to 90.850 90.510
Statement of policy 90.512
Definitions for ORS 90.514 and 90.518 90.514
Disclosure to prospective tenant of improvements required under rental agreement 90.516
Model statement for disclosure of improvements required under rental agreement 90.518
Provider statement of estimated cost of improvements 90.525
Unreasonable conditions of rental or occupancy prohibited 90.527
Renter’s liability insurance in park 90.528
Use of common areas or facilities 90.530
Pets in facilities 90.545
Fixed term tenancy expiration 90.550
Permissible forms of tenancy 90.555
Subleasing agreements 90.560
Definitions for ORS 90.560 to 90.584 90.562
Utility and service charges 90.564
Charge for cable, satellite or Internet 90.566
Conversion to direct billing for garbage service 90.568
Pro rata billing 90.570
Public service charge pro rata apportionment 90.572
Submeter billing 90.574
Conversion to submeter or pro rata billing for water 90.576
Legislative findings 90.578
Conversion to submeter or direct billing for large parks 90.580
Entry to read submeter 90.584
Park specific billing for water 90.600
Increases in rent 90.605
Persons authorized to receive notice and demands on landlord’s behalf 90.610
Notice of proposed change in rule or regulation 90.620
Termination by tenant 90.630
Termination by landlord 90.632
Termination of tenancy due to physical condition of manufactured dwelling or floating home 90.634
Prohibition against lien for rent 90.640
Park damaged by natural disaster 90.643
Conversion of park to planned community subdivision of manufactured dwellings 90.645
Closure of park 90.650
Notice of tax provisions to tenants of closing park 90.655
Park closure notice to nontenants 90.660
Local regulation of park closures 90.671
Closure of marina 90.675
Disposition of manufactured dwelling or floating home left in facility 90.680
Sale of dwelling or home on rented space 90.710
Causes of action 90.720
Action to enjoin violation of ORS 90.750 or 90.755 90.725
Landlord or agent access to rented space 90.727
Maintenance of trees in rented spaces 90.729
Temporary movement of floating home 90.730
Landlord duty to maintain rented space, vacant spaces and common areas in habitable condition 90.732
Landlord registration 90.734
Manager or owner continuing education requirements 90.736
Civil penalties 90.738
Enforcement of registration and education requirements 90.740
Tenant obligations 90.750
Right to assemble or canvass in facility 90.755
Right to speak on political issues 90.765
Prohibitions on retaliatory conduct by landlord 90.767
Mandatory mediation 90.769
Informal dispute resolution 90.771
Confidentiality of information regarding disputes 90.775
Rules 90.800
Policy 90.840
Park purchase funds, loans 90.842
Notice of sale of facility 90.844
Procedures for purchase of facility by tenants 90.846
Notices and processes in facility transfer 90.848
Exceptions to facility transfer requirements 90.849
Notice of conveyance 90.850
Owner affidavit certifying compliance with requirements for sale of facility 90.860
Definitions for ORS 90.865 to 90.875 90.865
Dealer notice of rent payments and financing 90.870
Manner of giving notice 90.875
Remedy for failure to give notice
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Current through early 2024

§ 90.574’s source at oregon​.gov