Tenant Rights in Oregon: Renting a New Property (2026)
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Oregon · Last updated 2026-05-18
Renting residential property in Oregon is a statute-driven exercise. Oregon law sets the deposit cap (No state-level statute. Governed by common law / municipal ordinance / case law as.) and the post-move-out refund clock (31 days) explicitly. What follows is the Oregon-specific tenant compliance sequence, from lease review at signing through habitability complaints during the term.
Key Considerations
Once a Oregon tenant is in possession, the lease and the entry rules carry the day. On non-emergency access, at least 24 hours' actual notice On the disclosure packet, ORS 90.305
Signing a lease in Oregon starts with the security-deposit math. The statutory ceiling is the first number to confirm: No state-level statute. Governed by common law / municipal ordinance / case law as applicable. After the tenancy ends, the landlord owes the refund or itemized accounting on a defined clock. 31 days
Three state-law backstops protect a Oregon tenant from the worst outcomes. The implied warranty of habitability is the structural floor: ORS 90.320 Whether rent can be raised at will depends on rent-control coverage: A landlord is not subject to the rent increase limitations if the first certificate of occupancy for the dwelling unit was issued less than 15 years from the date of the notice of the rent increase, or if the dwelling unit is regulated or certified as affordable housing by a government entity. If non-payment ever leads to an eviction filing, the pre-suit notice rule sets the clock: At least 10 days' written notice
Relevant Laws
Oregon Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (ORS Chapter 90)
This is the primary law governing landlord-tenant relationships in Oregon. It covers everything from security deposits, rental agreements, landlord entry, repairs, evictions, and tenant rights. As a new tenant in Oregon, this law establishes your basic rights and responsibilities.
Security Deposit Requirements (ORS 90.300)
This law regulates how landlords must handle security deposits in Oregon. It requires landlords to provide an itemized accounting of any deductions from your deposit within 31 days after tenancy ends and limits what can be deducted. As a new tenant, understanding this law helps protect your deposit.
Landlord's Access to Premises (ORS 90.322)
This statute establishes when and how a landlord may legally enter your rental unit. Generally, landlords must provide at least 24 hours' notice before entering except in emergencies. This law protects your right to privacy and peaceful enjoyment of your rental home.
Habitability Requirements (ORS 90.320)
This law requires landlords to maintain rental properties in a habitable condition, including working plumbing, heating, electrical systems, and weatherproofing. As a tenant, this law guarantees your right to a safe and livable home and outlines remedies if these standards aren't met.
Rent Increase Regulations (ORS 90.323 and Senate Bill 608)
Oregon has statewide rent control that limits how much landlords can increase rent (currently capped at 7% plus inflation annually) and when they can do so (only once per year). This law protects you from excessive rent increases during your tenancy.
Prohibited Acts by Landlords (ORS 90.385)
This law prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who exercise their legal rights, such as requesting repairs or reporting code violations. Understanding this protection is important as you establish your new tenancy relationship.
Fixed-Term Tenancy Termination (Senate Bill 608)
This 2019 law limits a landlord's ability to end month-to-month tenancies without cause and requires landlords to provide relocation assistance in some circumstances. For fixed-term leases, landlords generally cannot refuse to renew after the first year except for specific causes outlined in the law.
Regional Variances
Portland Metro Area
Portland has some of the strongest tenant protections in Oregon. The city requires landlords to pay relocation assistance (ranging from $2,900-$4,500 depending on unit size) when they issue no-cause evictions or increase rent by 10% or more in a 12-month period. Portland also has a 90-day notice requirement for rent increases, which is longer than the state's 60-day requirement.
Multnomah County has additional tenant protections beyond state law, including a requirement that landlords must provide information about tenant rights with each lease. The county also enforces a 'just cause' eviction ordinance that limits the reasons a landlord can terminate a tenancy.
Eugene/Springfield Area
Eugene has implemented a rental housing code that requires landlords to register their rental properties and pay an annual fee. The city also has specific requirements for rental applications, including limits on application fees and screening criteria that differ from state standards.
Springfield follows state law more closely than Eugene, without significant additional tenant protections. However, the city does have specific code enforcement procedures for rental housing that may provide tenants with additional recourse for habitability issues.
Salem/Mid-Valley
Salem generally follows state landlord-tenant laws without significant additional protections. However, the city has specific code enforcement procedures for rental housing and offers mediation services for landlord-tenant disputes through the Salem Housing Authority.
Corvallis has implemented a rental housing program that includes regular inspections of rental properties. The city also has specific regulations regarding rental applications and tenant screening that may differ from state requirements.
Southern Oregon
Medford follows state landlord-tenant laws closely. The city has a rental housing safety program that focuses on code enforcement but does not add significant tenant protections beyond state law.
Ashland has implemented additional tenant protections, including a requirement for 90-day notice for rent increases (longer than the state's 60-day requirement). The city also has a housing program that provides resources and assistance to tenants.
Coastal Communities
Lincoln County has specific regulations addressing vacation rentals that may impact the rental housing market. The county has implemented a lodging tax on short-term rentals that doesn't apply to long-term residential leases.
Astoria has implemented regulations to address the impact of short-term rentals on the housing market, which may indirectly benefit long-term tenants. The city follows state landlord-tenant laws for most other rental issues.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Inspect the lease for the disclosures Oregon law requires
Before signing days after startingORS 90.305
Pay only the deposit the law allows
Before signing days after startingNo state-level statute. Governed by common law / municipal ordinance / case law as applicable.
Capture the move-in condition in writing and in photos
At move-in days after startingThe cleaner the baseline, the harder it is to charge the deposit for pre-existing damage.
If habitability issues arise, document them and notify the landlord in writing
Before signing days after startingORS 90.320
Find out whether the unit is covered by rent control or a statewide rent cap
Ongoing days after startingA landlord is not subject to the rent increase limitations if the first certificate of occupancy for the dwelling unit was issued less than 15 years from the date of the notice of the rent increase, or if the dwelling unit is regulated or certified as affordable housing by a government entity.
Compare the lease's late-fee amount to the statutory rule
Before signing days after startingFive percent of the periodic rent payment amount, charged once for each succeeding five-day period, or portion thereof, for which the rent payment is delinquent.
Hold the landlord to the entry-notice rule for every routine visit
As needed during tenancy days after startingat least 24 hours' actual notice
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inspect the lease for the disclosures Oregon law requires | ORS 90.305 | - | Before signing |
| Pay only the deposit the law allows | No state-level statute. Governed by common law / municipal ordinance / case law as applicable. | - | Before signing |
| Capture the move-in condition in writing and in photos | The cleaner the baseline, the harder it is to charge the deposit for pre-existing damage. | - | At move-in |
| If habitability issues arise, document them and notify the landlord in writing | ORS 90.320 | - | Before signing |
| Find out whether the unit is covered by rent control or a statewide rent cap | A landlord is not subject to the rent increase limitations if the first certificate of occupancy for the dwelling unit was issued less than 15 years from the date of the notice of the rent increase, or if the dwelling unit is regulated or certified as affordable housing by a government entity. | - | Ongoing |
| Compare the lease's late-fee amount to the statutory rule | Five percent of the periodic rent payment amount, charged once for each succeeding five-day period, or portion thereof, for which the rent payment is delinquent. | - | Before signing |
| Hold the landlord to the entry-notice rule for every routine visit | at least 24 hours' actual notice | - | As needed during tenancy |
Frequently Asked Questions
at least 24 hours' actual notice.
At least 10 days' written notice.
31 days.
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