What are a property manager's duties and responsibilities?

[roche]

I live (or lived) in an apartment in Oregon. We had a fire last Saturday and the property managers just basically kicked us out and said we had to get out.
-They didn't give us a written notice.
-They haven't used their insurance to cover the fire on the tenant's behalf.
-We have been living at various friends houses for the last week.
We were recently told that it's illegal to not give us a place to stay or use their insurance to cover any damage because it wasn't our fault. There was an electrical fire next door (there are four connected units) and there was a ton of smoke damage.
I was wondering if anyone could find a specific law about what they have to do to help the tenants, or if any other pertinent information is available.
Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

[tai38]

"They didn't give us a written notice." The property managers didn't evict you. They were merely relaying the orders of the county fire marshal (or chief). Your building must meet county housing code standards before anyone can live there again. (And obviously the wiring is damaged.)

You don't have to pay the rent for the time you're gone, and you you'll get the place back when they've fixed it.

"They haven't used their insurance to cover the fire on the tenant's behalf." Why would you ever think someone else would be required to insure *your* property? No, it's each individual's responsibility to insure him or herself. There is renter's insurance that covers one's belonging's on anothers property, which would not even exist if the landlord could be required to insure tenants.

"We were recently told that it's illegal to not give us a place to stay or use their insurance to cover any damage because it wasn't our fault." You were not told by someone with a lot of common sense, let alone legal training. It is unlikely the fire is landlord's fault, either. If you can prove s/he is at fault (like s/he knew something was wrong with the wiring and didn't fix it), you could sue them and win your damages. But it is much more likely the neighbor is at fault, or it's just an accident. (Check the fire report.)

"I was wondering if anyone could find a specific law about what they have to do to help the tenants, or if any other pertinent information is available." The responsibilities of the landlord are outlined in the landlord/tenant code, which is specific to municipality. (Search "landlord/tenant code" with the name of your county and Oregon to find it.)

"We have been living at various friends houses for the last week." You can contact the local Red Cross, which is likely to have a temporary emergency housing program. (Depends on the funding limitations in your area, though.)

Sorry, I know this sucks, I've been there. Don't worry, though, it shouldn't be too long before they fix it. Best wishes.