Facing Potential Eviction Due to Nonpayment of Utilities - Need Advice!

[Ben Kirkpatrick]

Hey everyone,

I'm a property owner in the Portland metro area, and I've got a potential eviction on my hands. I'm reaching out to this community in hopes of getting some guidance and specific recommendations.

Here's the situation: My tenant has consistently failed to pay their utilities. I've been understanding and even gave them multiple extensions out of goodwill. However, it's become clear that my kindness is being taken advantage of. I've tried every communication method – text, email, and even first-class mail. To formalize things, I served them with a "Notice of Termination with Cause" following ORHA's guidelines.

Based on the lease agreement and my understanding, this nonpayment of utilities directly violates ORS 90.392 - Termination of tenancy for cause.

I'm trying to navigate this situation as best as I can, but I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. If anyone has faced similar challenges or has specific recommendations on how to handle this, I'd be incredibly grateful for your insights.

Thanks in advance for any advice or resources you can share. This community has always been a great source of knowledge, and I'm hopeful to find some clarity here.

[Nathan Gesner]

@Ben Kirkpatrick as you've already admitted, this is beyond your skill set. I recommend you contact an attorney and let them handle it. Your Tenant may choose to straighten up or voluntarily leave once they know a professional is involved.