A sweeping change to Oregon’s property laws will take effect on January 1, 2026, giving landlords and property owners a faster and more affordable process to remove unlawful occupants from their homes and land. House Bill 3522, signed into law by Governor Tina Kotek in June 2025, is designed to close a loophole that has long frustrated owners facing squatters—individuals occupying a property without permission or a lease.
For decades, Oregon law treated squatters differently than tenants. While tenants could be evicted through the state’s well-established Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) process, squatters could only be removed through an “ejectment” lawsuit. Ejectment actions were slow, complex, and costly, often dragging on for months or even years while properties remained tied up in court. Under HB 3522, that distinction disappears. Beginning in 2026, owners may issue squatters a 24-hour written notice to vacate and, if the property is not surrendered, file an FED eviction complaint in county court.
The FED process, already familiar to landlords and tenants across the state, typically results in resolution within 30 to 60 days. By extending this procedure to cover squatters, the legislature sought to create a more balanced and efficient remedy for property owners. Lawmakers from both parties supported the measure, calling it a matter of basic property rights.
For Southern Oregon, where vacant homes, rural land parcels, and rental properties are more vulnerable to unauthorized occupancy, the new law is likely to have significant effects. Homeowners in Jackson and Josephine counties who have previously faced drawn-out legal battles may now see swifter results. Rural landowners—who sometimes encounter squatters on unused or seasonal properties—will gain clearer legal standing to act quickly.
At the same time, the law places strict requirements on how the 24-hour notice must be written and delivered. It must clearly state the date and time it was issued, identify the occupant as a squatter, and explain that their presence is unlawful. Importantly, serving the notice does not create tenancy or any legal right to remain in the property, a point included to prevent misunderstandings.
Advocates for the bill argue that this streamlined process will reduce legal costs for owners while discouraging unlawful occupancy. Landlords who previously weighed the expense of an ejectment suit against the loss of use of their property may now pursue action without fear of spending thousands of dollars on attorney fees. Property owners in Southern Oregon, where housing disputes often intersect with broader social challenges such as homelessness, will likely find themselves better positioned to assert their rights.
Critics caution that while the law strengthens tools for owners, it may also bring difficult consequences for individuals with nowhere else to go. Local courts and social service providers in Southern Oregon could see an increase in cases where unlawful occupants are forced out more quickly than before, potentially placing greater strain on emergency shelters and housing resources.
Still, HB 3522 represents a decisive shift in Oregon’s handling of property disputes. By closing the long-standing legal gap between tenants and squatters, the law gives property owners across the state—and especially in Southern Oregon—a faster and clearer path to reclaiming their homes and land.