All landlords are faced with challenges of many types when operating their properties. One of the most difficult challenges to get your arms around are regulatory and legislative changes.

As a representative of Building Owner and Managers Association (BOMA) and Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), I have been involved with monitoring these issues for over 15 years. I can truly say we have more issues at many different levels to face than ever before.

Let's start with building operation issues. BOMA's Operations and Codes Committee has been following these issues:

• Boiler Inspections: Move inspections from a 2 year to a 6 year inspection cycle unless there is a safety concern.

• CROW (Containers in the Right of Way): The city of Portland has been trying to get Metal rubbish containers out of the street and stored inside of buildings. Final Meeting was on 2/27/07 before it went to city council.

• Electrical/Elevator Board: BOMA was instrumental in switching inspections to a two year cycle from an annual cycle

• ADA Interpretations for Remodeling: an issue that is being watched

• TIBC (International Building Codes) Issues: BOMA is reviewing new rules

• Fire Escapes: Looking into a list of architects that can advise building owners how to remove fire escapes

• Fire Code Inspections (#CP): Moved to annual inspection -- used to be every 5 years

• IBC Issues: BOMA Codes Committee is reviewing New rules

• Solid Waste: Move by the City to franchise commercial garbage hauling in addition to the already existing residential franchising arrangements.

Bills in the Oregon Legislature

There are many bills in the house and senate that BOMA and IREM are following. Some of these will be passed because they have significant support. Some will die in committee. They affect all areas property ownership. There are revisions to the mobile home park laws, the Condominium Act, the Landlord Tenant Act, construction defects and construction laws, and the laws affecting the overtime pay for your onsite managers and maintenance technicians.

The proposed laws also affect the real estate agency and propose a major overhaul of the agency. They also discuss changes to the law regarding Tenant in Common interest.

The best way to get more information regarding the bills is to read them at the Oregon Legislature website and then to contact the legislative reps for the different associations that lobby on your behalf. (i.e. Building Owner and Managers Association( BOMA), Institute for Real Estate Management( IREM), Metro Multifamily Housing, and the Rental Housing Association of Greater Portland, Manufactured Housing Communities of Oregon (MHCO), Commercial Association of Realtors, The Oregon Association of Realtors, Oregon Rental Housing Association.) All of these organizations have websites that will then lead you to the legislative staff the executive staff, or their legislative volunteers.

Federal Government: Rental agreements in how many languages?

On January 22, 2007 HUD issued final guidance clarifying the obligation of property owners who receive any federal assistance, including the Section 8 program, to accommodate people with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). The rules became effective February 21 and effectively require covered owners to translate a broad array of "vital" documents in multiple languages, such as resident applications, leases, lease attachment applications, facility rules, facility regulations, termination/eviction notices and more. They also require verbal translations of these documents for those who do not read in their native language. The HUD guidance is intended to comply with a 2000 Executive Order noting the need for federal agencies to comply with Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act by ensuring that people with LEP have meaningful access to HUD programs and activities.

IREM has taken a strong stance on this position. Because of the hundreds of letters IREM members sent plus letters from members of other real estate related associations, HUD has pushed back the effective date of the guidance to March 7, 2007 and has scheduled a "guidance meeting," on the new LEP regulations.

The U.S. House of Representatives Financial Services Committee has approved their oversight plan for the 110th Congress. The plan includes a review of HUD's guidance on LEP. These rules could become onerous. It would make sense to print out the rules for yourself and to then send a letter to your congressman objecting to these requirements.

It is my position that all documents should be in English, since English is the official language of the United States. The cost of translating all of your essential forms into and keeping them current with ever-changing laws is onerous.

I encourage you to get involved and to monitor these issues; they affect you. Bear in mind our state legislators are easily accessible. Take advantage of that accessibility and call, write or visit them.

Published: March 28, 2007

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Clifford A. Hockley is the President of Bluestone & Hockley Real Estate Services, one of the larger brokerage and property management companies in Portland, Oregon. Mr. Hockley holds an MBA Willamette University and a B.S. in Political Science from Claremont McKenna College. He is a Certified Property Manager and Bluestone & Hockley Real Estate Services is an Accredited Management Organization (AMO) by the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM). Mr.Hockley serves as member at large on the Portland IREM board. He has twice been named Certified Property Manager of the Year (2001 and 2003) by the Institute of Real Estate Management and is a frequent contributor to industry newsletters.