{"id":375820,"date":"2017-09-27T16:04:50","date_gmt":"2017-09-27T21:04:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/oklahoma-law\/oklahoma-tenant-rights-laws.html"},"modified":"2017-09-27T16:41:08","modified_gmt":"2017-09-27T21:41:08","slug":"oklahoma-tenant-rights-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/oklahoma-law\/oklahoma-tenant-rights-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Oklahoma Tenant Rights Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Oklahoma Tenant Rights Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Everyone’s familiar with landlord-tenant disputes, whether your exposure has been first-hand or through the grapevine. Because the landlord-tenant relationship<\/a> is so susceptible to conflict, Oklahoma has a number of applicable statutes on the books, in addition to federal and local law. Read on to learn more about Oklahoma tenant rights laws and how they might affect you.<\/p>\r\n

Tenant Rights: Discrimination, Repairs, and More<\/h2>\r\n

Oklahoma’s rental laws cover a range of topics including discrimination, habitability, and notice requirements for ending the tenancy. For example, there are laws which prohibit discrimination<\/a> based on race, religion, gender, and other protected characteristics. Prohibited conduct includes refusing to rent to someone or discriminating in the terms and conditions of a rental based on those protected traits.<\/p>\r\n

You are also entitled to live in a unit that’s in habitable condition<\/a>. This means that in most cases your landlord must perform necessary repairs and maintain services such as heating, air conditioning, and plumbing (if those are supplied or required to be supplied by the landlord). However, if it’s clearly indicated in writing that you will perform certain repairs and maintenance, those issues may be your responsibility.<\/p>\r\n

Another area of contention is the security deposit<\/a>. In Oklahoma, you must make a written request within six months after your lease ends to have your security deposit returned to you. Your landlord then has 45 days to return it to you with an explanation of any deductions made.<\/p>\r\n

Oklahoma Tenant Rights Laws at a Glance<\/h2>\r\n

The chart below provides a summary of Oklahoma state laws governing the landlord-tenant relationship, including links to key statutes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Statutes<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Security Deposits<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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  • Limit: No statutory maximum<\/li>\r\n
  • Must return all or part of the security deposit within 45 days after termination of tenancy, delivery of possession, and written demand for deposit by tenant<\/li>\r\n
  • Part or all may be used only for certain purposes, including:
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    • Damages beyond normal wear and tear<\/li>\r\n
    • Unpaid rent<\/li>\r\n
    • Breach of rental agreement<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Paying Rent<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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  • May not raise rent during lease term (e.g. 1 year lease) unless lease allows; may raise rent upon lease renewal<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Living Conditions<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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  • With one day’s advance notice and at reasonable times, landlord may enter unit for certain reasons including:
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    • Inspect premises<\/li>\r\n
    • To make necessary or agreed repairs<\/li>\r\n
    • Show unit to prospective tenants or purchasers<\/li>\r\n
    • In emergency (no notice or consent required)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n
    • Landlord must maintain premises in fit and habitable condition: make necessary repairs, maintain electrical, heating, air conditioning, plumbing, etc. (exceptions apply)<\/li>\r\n
    • Landlord and tenant may agree to other repair and maintenance terms under certain conditions<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Discrimination<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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  • No discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender national origin, age, familial status, or handicap<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Ending or Renewing a Tenancy<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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  • Notice required to terminate the tenancy:
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    • Fixed-term lease: no notice required<\/li>\r\n
    • Monthly tenancy: 30 days<\/li>\r\n
    • Week-to-week tenancy: seven days<\/li>\r\n
    • Eviction: five days for failure to pay rent; 15 days for lease violation<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n
    • Eviction: court order required<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Retaliation<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n