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At first glance, Portland seems like a landlord’s market—vacancy rates remain low across much of the region. Statewide, just 7 in every 100 homes are vacant, with even tighter numbers in many areas outside Portland. The city’s own multifamily vacancy rate sits at around 4.5%. However, some landlords still find themselves with vacant properties despite their efforts to find tenants. A number of factors can influence how long a rental property takes to attract new tenants—and many of them are fairly simple to address.
Why are Rentals Sitting on the Market in Portland?
In such a theoretically hot market, it’s frustrating to watch your rental property sit on the market without signing a lease. While some factors are dependent on the market, your property’s neighborhood, or the time of year, there are certainly steps you can take to make your rental more appealing.
1. Fluctuating Housing Supply
Despite steady demand, new apartment completions continue to outpace absorption. In late 2024, only 49% of newly finished rentals across the nation were leased within three months. This surplus creates selection pressure—renters have more options and can afford to wait, lengthening vacancy durations. However, as of spring 2025, the number of permits for new housing developments in Portland has decreased by 21%. This means that issues of oversupply may be less of an issue in the future—but also that housing shortages may worsen.
Portland’s tight housing market means that even the influx of new apartments is only assuaging a desperate need for more housing. So why else would a rental property sit unrented for an extended period of time?
2. Seasonal Slowdown
Portland experiences a well-known summer leasing lull. As people spend the summer traveling or avoiding the heat, they are less likely to want to move until the weather cools down and summer vacation ends. If you’re trying to fill a vacancy during the dog days of summer, it’s not unusual to take some extra time compared to spring or fall.
3. Variable Demand Across Neighborhoods
There’s no denying that certain Portland neighborhoods are in higher demand than others. People renting properties in Southeast Portland will often find their rentals flying off the market, while areas that are difficult to commute from or lack as many amenities may flag in comparison.
4. Portland Renters are Staying Put For Longer
The trends in our city also show that Portland renters are not moving as often as they were ten years ago. The number of people who have lived in their rentals for over 10 years rose 5% in the past decade, from 9% to 14%. The rising costs of living and housing in the area may force renters opting to stay in their current housing rather than seeking new rentals—which means landlords attempting to fill more vacancies may find the pool of potential renters is lower.
The Risk of Squatters in Vacant Properties
Vacant properties are especially vulnerable to squatting—where individuals occupy a unit without permission. Under Oregon law, squatters can carve out legal footholds over time. After 10 years of continuous, open, exclusive, and hostile occupation, they may even make an adverse possession claim to gain ownership.
The eviction process is no picnic. Law enforcement often defers to civil proceedings rather than removing squatters outright. Thankfully, new legislation—House Bill 3522—signed into law in August 2025 streamlines the process. Starting in January 2026, landlords and property owners may issue a 24-hour written notice to squatters to vacate. After that period, standard eviction processes may proceed—but crucially, the notice itself doesn’t create any tenancy rights.
What Can Landlords and Managers Do to Attract Renters and Reduce Vacancy Time?
Just knowing why your rental may be struggling to find tenants isn’t enough. Here are some actionable steps you can take to help get your rental vacancies filled ASAP:
1. Front-Load Your Leasing Strategy
Given that leasing demand often spikes in spring and dips mid-summer, shift your marketing to the earlier parts of the year. Ads, open houses, and deal promotions early can meet renters before they get picked over. You can also attempt to stagger your leases so they expire during periods when the market is hotter, avoiding mid-summer and the holidays. In some cases, offering a free or discounted month’s additional rent to a lease can pay for itself if it means your unit goes vacant during a period of high demand when the vacancy will be filled quickly.
2. Offer Smart Incentives
Especially during seasonal lulls or in competitive submarkets, consider one-month free rent, rent discounts, or flexible lease terms.
3. Present Units Well With Virtual Tools
Invest in staging, professional photos, and virtual tours. Listings with strong visuals and immersive tools engage tenants more, especially when foot traffic is light.
4. Highlight Amenities and Neighborhood Perks
Portland renters care about walkability, transit, green features, and lifestyle. Showcase those advantages clearly in marketing materials, so that your unit stands out even when the market slows.
5. Monitor New Supply Levels
Stay aware of incoming new apartment supply: the same Redfin analysis that noted slow absorption above also forecasts tapering supply ahead. This knowledge lets you time rent adjustments or marketing pushes strategically.
6. Secure Vacant Properties to Mitigate Squatter Risk
Even short vacancy windows are vulnerable. Use quality locks, post clear “No Trespassing” signs, and perform periodic inspections. These steps help prevent squatter entrenchment and limit legal exposure. Should a squatter show up, the new HB 3522 gives you leverage: a written 24-hour notice is now legally adequate to jumpstart eviction.
Find Tenants For Your Vacant Rental, Fast
While Portland generally remains a tight rental market, factors like oversupply of new units, seasonal downturns, and uneven demand across neighborhoods still cause some rentals to sit longer. Meanwhile, vacant properties also carry the risk of squatter occupation—ranging from nuisance-level intrusions to legally complicated adverse possession claims.
A professional property management company like Rent Portland Homes Darla Andrew’s Office can play a pivotal role in reducing vacancy times by creating targeted, results-driven advertising campaigns. Instead of relying on generic listings, our team develops a multi-platform strategy that places your rental in front of the right renters, leveraging top rental websites, social media, and professional networks. High-quality photography, engaging property descriptions, and even virtual tours showcase units at their best, ensuring they stand out in Portland’s competitive rental market.
Beyond visibility, Rent Portland Homes understands local seasonal trends, pricing strategies, and neighborhood demographics, allowing us to position properties strategically for faster leasing. We also handle lead follow-up, tenant screening, and scheduling, so prospects don’t slip through the cracks.
With this level of expertise and attention, you can be confident your units attract qualified tenants quickly, minimizing downtime and keeping rental income steady year-round.
Ready to work with us and get your vacant property rented out? Call or text us at (503) 515-3170 or contact us through our website. We’d love to chat about your rental and how to maximize its potential.
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