WARNING: Experience renting from Buell Davidson and Melissa Wright in Salem, OR (Private Rental / Same Tax Lot)

BEWARE: If you are considering renting from Buell Davidson and Melissa Wright in the Salem area, please be aware that you risk having your lease terminated without cause. Because their rental unit sits on the same tax lot as their personal residence next door, Oregon law (ORS 90.427) allows them to terminate a tenancy for any reason, completely bypassing the state's typical protections against no-cause evictions after one year of occupancy. This happened to me. 

For over a year and a half, I was a quiet, responsible tenant who always paid my rent on time. Despite this, they terminated my lease. They did not state a reason on the formal 60-day notice; however, a few days prior, I had received an email from one of the landlords stating that his feelings were hurt. He had perceived that we had a friendship and that I had ended this friendship after I communicated to him that I needed to take a break from playing pickleball with him. He wrote, “Now we have an awkward landlord/tenant situation that feels untenable.” They were apparently unable to separate the personal/recreational relationship from the landlord-tenant relationship.

In their original Zillow ad, they had written: "We have been renters ourselves for quite a while, and promised ourselves that we would be great landlords if we ever got the chance.” I mistakenly trusted their message and the initial impression they made, but it turned out they were far from great.

They also wrote in their ad: "We are looking for the right fit..." It is important to understand that even if they/you think you are “the right fit” when you meet, if they change their mind, you could suddenly lose your home.

This situation caused significant stress for me. I am sharing this so future renters have a heads-up about the risks. Rent here only if you are okay with sudden, unpredictable moves.