By: Tia Politi, ORHA President
April 2025

Our March board meeting in Medford featured the final session of Train the Trainer and the Executive Committee elections.

Read instructor Violet Wilson’s recap later in the newsletter about her three-part educational series on teaching others. After committee meetings on Friday, each participant delivered a final 15-minute presentation on a topic of their choice—the time flew by. Everyone’s ideas were fresh and inspiring, and each instructor brought their own unique style. Now, each graduate is eligible to teach ORHA classes. Violet plans to offer the series again soon, so stay tuned and join in.

A special thank you to Tanya Dean of Mid-Columbia ROA for chairing this year’s Nomination Committee. This short-term commitment, required every two years, calls for a dedicated volunteer who is not running for office to solicit nominations, compile results, and present the slate of candidates.

2025-2027 Executive Committee Election Results:

• President – Violet Wilson, Salem RHA
• Vice President – Jason Miller, Linn-Benton RHA
• Treasurer – Dan Griffin, Central Oregon ROA
• Secretary – Chuck DeSeranno, Salem RHA
• Past President – Tia Politi, Lane ROA
• At-Large Member – Joann Hansen, ROA of Southwest Oregon
• At-Large Member – Leigh Ann Prummer, ROA of Northeast Oregon

Their terms begin on July 1, 2025, and run through June 30, 2027. Since only two of the four ORHA regions were represented in the officers’ group, two At-Large voting members were elected to ensure balanced regional representation.

• Joann Hansen (JH Realty, North Bend) – Vice President of ROA of Southwest Oregon, representing the Southern Region
• Leigh Ann Prummer (Catherine Creek Property Management, LLC, La Grande) – Legislative Liaison and Treasurer of ROA of Northeast Oregon, representing the Eastern Region

With diverse concerns across the state, ORHA bylaws require voting representation from all regions. Thank you to all who have stepped up to lead.

ORHA Regional Breakdown:

1. Eastern Region: Mid-Columbia ROA, ROA of Northeast Oregon, Treasure Valley RA, Umatilla County RHA
2. Metro Region: Central Oregon ROA, Lane County ROA, Portland Area ROA
3. Northern Region: Linn-Benton RHA, Salem RHA, Clatsop County ROA
4. Southern Region: ROA of Douglas County, Klamath ROA, Southern Oregon ROA, ROA of Southwest Oregon

Survey Results Are In
A big thank you to Tanya Dean of Mid-Columbia ROA for leading the Survey Committee, taking over from former chair Alex Wilkins of Linn-Benton RHA. With the help of Office Contractor Ben Seamans, Tanya prepared, distributed, and compiled the survey results, which were presented at the March meeting. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Cutting Costs for Tenant Screening
The Oregon Supreme Court recently ruled that the Eugene Rental Housing Code's $10 limit on screening fees is allowable, reinstating the cap effective March 10, 2025. Additionally, a pending bill in the legislature could eliminate screening fees or reduce them to $10 in line with Eugene if it passes. With these changes in mind, here are some strategies to reduce tenant screening costs:

• Require Applicants to Provide a Recent Credit Report

Ask applicants to submit a copy of their credit report pulled within the last seven days, which they can obtain for free at www.annualcreditreport.com. Credit reports provide valuable insights beyond credit scores, including past addresses. Comparing past addresses to the information provided can help identify potential fraud. Review their payment history, total debt, and collections accounts. If their credit history does not meet your criteria, you can deny the application without proceeding further.

• Verify Income Before Additional Screening

Request pay stubs, tax returns, or direct employer verification to confirm the applicant’s income. If their income is insufficient, you can deny the application at this stage without incurring additional screening costs.

• Check Landlord References

Contact previous landlords to verify rental history. If references are unfavorable or cannot be verified, you may deny the application based on that alone. Always confirm that the person providing the reference is the property owner or an authorized manager. Property ownership records are public and can be checked online through the county assessor’s office or by calling the relevant county office.

• Conduct a Nationwide Criminal and Eviction History Check Last

If all other screening criteria are met, proceed with a nationwide criminal and eviction history check as a final step. For applicants who have lived in Oregon their entire lives, you can look up their criminal history online at the Oregon Judicial Department’s Portal. If a similar resource is unavailable in other states, consider limiting costs by performing only the nationwide check through your screening company while handling the rest yourself.

• Adjusting Your Screening Process

For property management companies or those accepting online applications, consider updating your policies to limit the number of applications you accept. This helps prevent a situation where you must either screen every applicant or refund screening fees.

• The Importance of Verifiable Information

If you are unable to verify an applicant’s information—whether due to limited rental references, unverifiable employment, or other inconsistencies—you can legally deny the application. Ensuring all provided details are accurate and confirmable is essential for responsible tenant selection.