Key Takeaways
- Oregon’s Residential Landlord-Tenant Act sets strict rules on disclosures, repairs, security deposits, evictions, rent increases, and landlord entry—so landlords must understand and follow them to stay compliant.
- Tenants have strong rights to habitability, timely repairs, proper notice, and fair treatment under state and federal laws, including rent-increase and eviction protections.
- Landlords also maintain important rights, such as screening tenants, enforcing lease terms, and issuing proper notices—while carrying responsibilities like providing required disclosures and following security-deposit and eviction rules.
- Staying informed prevents costly disputes, and partnering with a professional management company can help ensure full legal compliance and smoother landlord-tenant relationships.
Whether you’re renting out a property in Bend, Sunriver, La Pine, Sisters, or any other city or town in Oregon, you must familiarize yourself with the state’s landlord-tenant law!
The Residential Landlord-Tenant Act details the specifics on what a landlord can and cannot do. Including, on things like evictions, lease terminations, rent increases, and landlord entry, among others.
In this blog by Real Property Management Ignite, we’ll share with you the important basics of the act. This is to help you to not only stay legally compliant, but also ensure minimal conflicts and misunderstandings with your residents.
Required Landlord Disclosures in Oregon
In Oregon, landlords are required under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act to make the following disclosures:
- Concentrations of lead paint if renting out a building built before 1978.
- Names and addresses of the party that owns and manages the property.
- Whether the unit lies in a 100-year flood plain.
- The smoking policy (if any).
- The tenant’s responsibility to maintain the carbon monoxide alarm.
- Whether there is any pending suit and any other outstanding notice if renting out a building with four or fewer units.
- Whether there is sharing utility meters between multiple units.
- Information about the recycling program.
Oregon Tenant Rights and Responsibilities
Oregon residents have a right to the following. A right to:
- Be provided with the aforementioned disclosures before signing the lease.
- Live in a habitable dwelling and have repairs made within 30 days after requesting them.
- A proper eviction process for removal.
- Get a refund of the security deposit, or whatever portion remains, within 31 days after moving out.
- Terminate a periodic lease after serving the appropriate notice.
- Break a fixed-term lease after meeting the terms of the lease.
- Get at least a 90-day notice before a rent hike.
- Be treated fairly regardless of the fair-housing-protected classes.
- Get a notice of at least 24 hours before a landlord’s entry.
- Request a lock change (at own expense) if they become a domestic violence victim.
- Mandatory grace period of 4 days before a late fee is imposed.
When it comes to responsibilities, they include the following for Oregon landlords:
- Maintain the sanitary and cleanliness standards.
- Keep the unit habitable.
- Use the facilities and appliances reasonably.
- Use the rental unit for sleeping, cooking, dining, and other reasonable and intended purposes.
- Take care of small repairs.
- Maintain the smoke and carbon monoxide detector by replacing the batteries as needed.
- Not cause negligent property damage.
- Not tamper with the sprinkler system.
- Not cause disturbance to neighbors or other residents.
Oregon Landlord Rights and Responsibilities
Aside from having the right to select a resident through a fair and consistent process, you also have a right to:
- Draft a proper rental agreement and enforce all of its terms.
- Remove a resident for violating a term of the lease.
- Require security deposits.
- Terminate a periodic lease agreement after proper notification.
- Charge a resident for early termination of a fixed-term rental agreement.
- Access the rental property for certain functions.
- Not to renew the lease for another term.
- Screen prospective residents before lease signing.
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As for the responsibilities, they include the following:
- Provide the resident with the aforementioned disclosures.
- Provide the resident with a receipt for rent payment upon request.
- Provide the resident with a 24-hour advance notice before entry.
- Abide by the Fair Housing Act in Oregon.
- Abide by the statewide rent control law.
- Make a reasonable effort to find a new resident after the old one breaks their lease early.
- Abide by the state’s security deposit rules.
- Follow the proper eviction procedure when removing a resident from their rented unit.
- Provide a habitable dwelling.
An Overview of the Landlord-Tenant Laws in Oregon
Renters’ Rights for Repairs in Oregon
Residents in Oregon have a right to habitable dwellings. Among other things, the unit must have both cold and hot running water, heating, and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. It must also not have any electrical or plumbing issues, and neither should it have mold or pest infestation issues.
Additionally, you must make repairs within 30 days after getting a proper notification from the resident.
Tenant Evictions
Whether evicting a resident for failing to pay rent or for causing a lease violation, you must follow the proper procedure. You must not try to lock out the resident, remove their personal belongings, or shut down utilities. It’s also illegal to evict residents as a form of retaliation or for discriminatory reasons.
Security Deposits
Landlords can ask for security deposits from residents when they are first moving in. Be that as it may, you must strictly follow the state’s security deposit laws to the letter. For example, you must return the deposit (or whatever portion remains) within 31 days after they move out.
Lease Termination
In Oregon, residents can only break a lease early for certain legally justified reasons. Including, if starting active military duty, after meeting the requirements of the early termination clause, or if they are a domestic violence victim.
Bottom Line
As a landlord, in everything that you do, you must follow the state’s landlord-tenant laws. These detail the specifics on what you can and cannot do in a landlord-tenant relationship. Luckily for you, this blog has you covered in that regard.
If you have a question or need the expert services of a property manager, look no further than Real Property Management Ignite. Our comprehensive suite of property management services can minimize your costs and maximize your income. Get in touch to get started.
Disclaimer: Please note that the information provided in this blog is intended for general guidance and should not be considered as a replacement for professional legal advice. It is important to be aware that laws pertaining to property management may change, rendering this information outdated by the time you read it.