Oregon 30-Hour Real Estate Law Practice Test

When is a tenant's eviction considered retaliatory?

1. When it occurs after a rent increase

2. When it happens after the tenant files a complaint about the property

3. When tenants have multiple roommates

4. Never, it is always permissible

The correct answer is: When it happens after the tenant files a complaint about the property

A tenant's eviction is considered retaliatory when it occurs after the tenant has engaged in a protected activity, such as filing a complaint about the condition of the property to a governmental authority. This principle is rooted in tenant protection laws, which aim to shield tenants from unlawful eviction tactics that landlords might use in response to tenants exercising their rights. In this context, if a tenant files a complaint about serious issues, like maintenance problems or safety hazards, and then faces eviction soon afterward, it may suggest that the eviction is a form of retaliation for asserting their rights. This concept is designed to encourage tenants to report issues without fear of losing their housing. Other options do not inherently indicate retaliatory actions. While a rent increase can certainly lead to issues between a landlord and tenant, it does not automatically suggest retaliation. The presence of multiple roommates does not relate to retaliatory eviction either, nor does the notion that eviction is always permissible fit within the framework of tenant protections, which are specifically designed to prevent unfair treatment in response to a tenant's lawful actions.