Oregon Tenant Rights Laws

Whether you rent a house in the suburbs or an apartment in the heart of Portland, there's a good chance you'll need to become familiar with various landlord-tenant laws at some point during your tenancy. In addition to federal and local laws, Oregon has its own set of statutes governing this relationship. Read on to learn more about Oregon tenant rights laws.

Tenant Rights: From Discrimination to Eviction

Oregon law protects you against discrimination based on race, religion, sexual orientation, and other protected traits. These laws prohibit a variety of conduct, such as refusing to rent to someone or offering different terms based on their protected characteristic. Additionally, all tenants have the right to live in habitable conditions. This imposes on the landlord an obligation to make necessary repairs, maintain heating facilities and running water, and perform other services necessary for health and safety.

You are entitled to receive a refund of your security deposit and a written accounting of claims against the deposit within 31 days after your tenancy terminates and you move out. However, your landlord can't withhold portions of the deposit for damage or cleaning caused by normal wear and tear.

Although Oregon's laws are designed to protect your rights and clarify your responsibilities, tenants are sometimes hesitant to assert those rights. Therefore, it's also important to know that your landlord may not retaliate against you by raising the rent or evicting you simply because you complained about certain conditions.

Oregon Tenant Rights Laws at a Glance

The following chart provides a summary of key Oregon state laws governing the landlord-tenant relationship, including links to important statutes.

Note: State regulations are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.

Oregon Tenant Rights Laws: Related Resources

• Oregon Lease and Rental Agreement Laws
• Oregon Landlord Tenant Law
• Tenant Lease Agreement FAQs
• Tenants' Rights Basics
• U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development in Oregon
• Oregon Fair Housing

Receive a Free Review of Your Tenancy Issues

Although many issues can be resolved agreeably through polite communication with your landlord, some problems require extra effort and persuasion. However, it can be difficult to know which laws and statutes apply to your situation. Receive a free case review to get help asserting your rights under Oregon tenant rights laws.