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House passes bill to speed removal of squatters from private property
Summary
House Bill 3522 A passed to allow property owners to issue a 24-hour written demand to unauthorized occupants and, if they remain, pursue expedited forcible-entry-and-detainer proceedings to remove them.
The Oregon House on April 4 passed House Bill 3522 A, a measure sponsors described as closing a gap that had left property owners without access to the expedited eviction process when occupied by unauthorized occupants.
Representative Hartman, the floor sponsor, said the bill addresses situations where people occupy property without consent and the current law requires owners to pursue a separate ejectment action rather than the standard forcible entry and detainer (FED) process used for tenant evictions. Hartman said the change does not alter protections for tenants with legitimate rental agreements and is targeted at unauthorized occupants who use property for dwelling without consent.
Under the bill as described on the floor, a property owner may issue a 24-hour written notice to an unauthorized occupant (referred to in testimony as a squatter); if the occupant fails to vacate within 24 hours, the occupant’s continued presence is classified as unlawful holding by force and the owner may pursue expedited FED proceedings. Sponsors said the bill also expands the statutory definition of unauthorized occupants to include persons dwelling on property without the owner’s consent.
Multiple members spoke in support, citing examples of lengthy, costly legal fights and safety concerns. Representatives Mannix, Wright, Breeze Iverson, Juncker, Pham and others described constituent cases in which owners faced months-long legal processes and large cleanup costs when unauthorized occupants remained in homes and commercial properties.
On final reading the clerk announced House Bill 3522 A had received the constitutional majority and was declared passed. The bill’s supporters said it aims to protect private property rights, reduce legal costs for owners, and allow owners to more quickly restore unsafe or damaged properties to lawful use. Floor remarks emphasized that the measure is intended to distinguish between unauthorized occupants and renters with legitimate claims under landlord–tenant law.
