Tenant Rights in Oregon

Security Deposits

• Maximum amountNo statutory limit. However, landlords must charge the same deposit for comparable units and must disclose the amount before the tenant agrees to rent.
• Return deadline31 days after the tenancy ends.

Landlord may deduct for unpaid rent, damages beyond normal wear and tear, cleaning, and other defaults. Must provide a written itemized accounting within 31 days.

Eviction Process

• Notice requirements10-day notice for nonpayment of rent (with 4-day grace period). 30-day notice for lease violations (with 14-day cure period for the first violation). 90-day notice for no-cause termination (only for first year of tenancy). After 1 year, just cause is required under SB 608.
• Judicial eviction requiredYes
• Estimated timeline3 to 6 weeks for uncontested cases.

Rent Control

Oregon enacted statewide rent control in 2019 under SB 608, limiting annual rent increases to 7% + CPI for most residential tenancies. Units less than 15 years old are exempt. Landlords must give 90 days' notice for rent increases of more than 10%. Portland has additional local renter protections including mandatory relocation assistance.

Repair and Habitability

• Repair and deductAllowed
• Rent withholdingAllowed
• Retaliation protectionYes

Lease Termination

• Month-to-month notice30 days' notice by the tenant. Landlords must give 90 days' notice for no-cause termination during the first year (just cause required after 1 year under SB 608).

Tenant may be liable for 1.5 months' rent as a termination fee if breaking a fixed-term lease (unless the landlord failed to mitigate). Military members may terminate under the SCRA. Domestic violence victims may terminate with 14 days' notice under ORS 90.453.

Key Statutes

• Oregon Residential Landlord and Tenant Act: ORS §§ 90.100–90.940
• Statewide Rent Control (SB 608): ORS § 90.323
• Security Deposits: ORS § 90.300
• Habitability: ORS § 90.320
• Retaliation: ORS § 90.385

When to Get Legal Help

• You're facing eviction, especially with short notice
• Your landlord is withholding a large security deposit
• You believe you're being discriminated against
• Your unit has serious habitability issues the landlord refuses to fix

Find free legal aid in Oregon

Frequently Asked Questions

• Does Oregon have statewide rent control?

  Yes. Under SB 608 (ORS 90.323), Oregon limits annual rent increases to 7% + CPI for most residential units. Units less than 15 years old are exempt. Landlords must give 90 days' notice for rent increases greater than 10%.

• Can a landlord evict without cause in Oregon?

  For the first year of occupancy, landlords can give a 90-day no-cause notice. After the first year, Oregon requires just cause for all evictions (SB 608). Permitted causes include nonpayment, lease violation, owner move-in, and demolition.

• Can I withhold rent for repairs in Oregon?

  Yes. Oregon tenants may withhold rent or use the repair-and-deduct remedy if the landlord fails to maintain the premises in a habitable condition after proper notice (typically 30 days, or 7 days for emergency conditions).

• What happens if I break my lease early in Oregon?

  If you break a fixed-term lease, the landlord can charge up to 1.5 months' rent as an early termination penalty. Exceptions include domestic violence, military deployment, and situations where the landlord failed to maintain habitability.

Sources

• Oregon Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (ORS Chapter 90)
• Oregon State Bar - Tenant Rights