Oregon Public Broadcasting

The foreclosure crisis isn't just affecting homeowners. Renters can also get caught up in the mess when their landlord defaults on the mortgage.

Now, new legislation in Oregon and Washington will protect renters who are hurt by someone else's financial problems. Correspondent Chris Lehman reports.

Attorney Andrea Ogston works with Portland State University students who are facing legal problems involving housing.

She says up until this year, a student renter facing eviction due to a landlord's money troubles was a rare thing. Now, it happens weekly.

Ogston says it's more than a hassle. She says students often lose out on pricey deposits when their landlord is foreclosed on.

Andrea Ogston: “So not only are you going to have to move, but you're going to have to pay a new first and last and deposit without getting your old deposit back.”

A new Oregon law will allow renters to apply their deposit to their final month's rent. It also gives renters in foreclosed properties at least 30 days to pack up and leave. That's up from as little as 10 days under the previous law.

A similar law is set to take effect this summer to protect renters in Washington state.

Online: 

Oregon Senate Bill 952