Not legal advice. OSTA is educational advocacy, not a law firm. This page is general information for Oregon manufactured dwelling park and marina tenancies — you own the home and rent the space (ORS 90.505–90.850). It does not apply to apartment or other standard ORS 90.100–90.465 rentals. It is not legal advice. Talk with an attorney about your situation.
Forming a Tenants Association
The power of collective action transforms individual vulnerability into secure, long-term housing stability.
When you own a manufactured or floating home but lease the land beneath it, standing alone against a park landlord can leave you vulnerable to arbitrary rule shifts, unexpected rent hikes, or deferred maintenance. Forming a Tenants Association transforms individual vulnerability into collective strength.
Why Form an Association?
In manufactured home parks and floating home communities, residents face a structural power imbalance: owning the home but leasing the land.
Without organization, a tenant stands alone against a landlord. By standing together, residents provide a stronger voice at the legislative level and establish the infrastructure needed to protect against arbitrary rent increases and aggressive management tactics.
Tenants have the right to form a tenant’s association, canvas the park, collect dues, and use park facilities without landlord interference.
Read tenant rightsYour Legal Rights
Your Legal Armor: The Right to Organize Landlords cannot prohibit or punish tenant advocacy.
- Peaceful Assembly: Tenants can host meetings in common facilities, community centers, or private homes from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. (ORS 90.750)
- Canvassing & Communication: Residents have the legal right to go door-to-door, hand out newsletters, post notices, and discuss park issues.
- Protection Against Retaliation: Landlords are strictly prohibited from retaliating (such as raising rent, cutting services, or threatening eviction) against residents who organize or join an association. (ORS 90.385, ORS 90.765)
- Good Faith Obligation: Landlords must act in good faith in all interactions with tenant representatives. (ORS 90.130)
- Political & Park Issues: Protects the right of tenants and tenant associations to discuss political issues, canvass, and post noncommercial political signs. (ORS 90.755)
Structural Models for Governance
Unaffiliated Association
Independent groups highly effective for rapid local issue-solving and legal negotiation.
OSTA Chapters
Direct link to statewide legislative lobbying, professional training, and advocacy support.
Find a chapterPurchase Committee
Park Acquisition. Established to receive formal notice of park sales and negotiate buying the community. (ORS 90.842)
Social Association
Events & Community Building. Focuses on events, fundraising, and connection; prevents volunteer burnout and builds solidarity. Independent / self-governed.
Step-by-Step: Building Awareness
1. Door-to-Door Canvassing
- Prepare Materials: Bring sign-up sheets and informational handouts explaining the benefits of an association.
- Engage & Listen: Introduce yourself as a neighbor, ask about park concerns (maintenance, utility billing, rule changes), and take detailed notes.
- Address Retaliation Fears: Reassure neighbors by citing ORS 90.385 and explaining that a unified group is far harder to target than an isolated individual.
| Association Model | Primary Purpose | Governing Rules | Key Benefits |
| Unaffiliated Tenants Association | Local Resident Advocacy & Legal Negotiation | Independent / Self-Governed | Highly flexible and effective for rapid problem-solving; sets its own voting rules (typically 1 vote per space). |
| OSTA Chapter | Statewide Education & Legislative Advocacy | Affiliated with OSTA | Direct connection to statewide lobbying, leadership training, and educational resources. |
| Committee of Seven | Statutory Representative Body ORS 90.600(8) | Formal model capped at 7 elected members; | Requires a facility-wide election. |
| Purchase Committee | Park Acquisition ORS 90.842 | Established to receive formal notice of park sales and negotiate buying the community. |