Portland Property Management

I recently signed a lease through Portland Property Management along with four other renters. The plan was that I would live in my RV, parked on the property, with access to water and electricity. I didn’t explicitly state that I would be living in the RV, as there was no place on the application to indicate that—but I did list the RV in the “vehicles” section, including its make and model. At no point during the application process did the management company flag this as an issue or ask any clarifying questions. On the very first day of the lease, I was issued a violation notice demanding that my RV be removed from the property immediately. No conversation. No warning. No attempt to understand the situation or work toward a solution. Just a cold email that made it clear there would be no leniency, no compassion, and no collaboration. I was pushed back into being unhoused the day after my deposit was taken. I’ll take responsibility for not fully understanding the lease clause about vehicle parking. But what I can’t excuse is the total lack of empathy and the way this situation was handled. I was told that it is illegal to live in an RV on residential property in Portland, which is simply false. The city updated its ordinance in 2021 to allow one occupied RV or tiny home on wheels on residential lots. That information was either ignored or misrepresented to me. The issue isn’t just a misunderstanding of the lease. It’s how I was treated. I was not met with kindness, problem-solving, or even a basic willingness to talk. I was treated like a problem to be removed—not a person trying to live safely and legally during an incredibly difficult time. I sincerely hope Portland Property Management reflects on the human impact of how they operate. Housing is about more than just leases and violations. It’s about people’s lives—and how we choose to treat each other.

Here’s a rave for Portland Property Management. Neat human beings, and well run. They went above and beyond during COVID, and I’ll never forget it. I’m a small fish, and the service and support they offer is nonetheless impeccable. They always do what they say they’ll do. Hope I’m not jinxing it by saying so, but it’s been one of the best professional relationships I’ve ever had.

I’ve been renting from Portland Property Management for 7 months so far, and they have been terrific. My experiences have all been positive. I had a minor blip with stove lights not working when I moved in and it was fixed right away. I don’t feel like I am dealing with a disembodied corporation that doesn’t care about their tenants. I have interacted with several members of their team and every single one of them has been proactive, quickly responsive, and kind.