Getting The Deposit Back
ORS 90.300 — a written accounting or the deposit within 31 days, or twice the amount withheld
31 days. To claim any part of the security deposit or prepaid rent, an Oregon landlord gives the tenant a written accounting stating specifically the basis of the claim within 31 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant delivers possession. Whatever is not claimed that way is returned within the same 31 days, by personal delivery, first class mail, or electronically where the parties have agreed.
Twice the amount. If the landlord does not return what is due on time, or in bad faith fails to return any part of it, the tenant may recover twice the amount withheld without a written accounting, or withheld in bad faith.
- Remedying the tenant's defaults under the rental agreement, unpaid rent included.
- Repairing damage the tenant caused, not including ordinary wear and tear.
- Machine carpet cleaning, if the carpet was cleaned or replaced before the tenancy and the written agreement provides for it.
A landlord may claim from the deposit only the amount reasonably necessary for purposes like those, and labor has to be charged at a reasonable hourly rate. A landlord gives a receipt for the deposit, the written agreement lists it, and a deposit may not be raised during the first year of the tenancy except to cover an agreed change such as a pet.
No pet deposit may be charged for a service or companion animal a tenant with a disability requires. A last month's rent deposit is applied to the last month's rent when either side gives notice to end the tenancy, other than a notice for nonpayment. Whether a particular deduction was reasonable is a question for a licensed Oregon attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- ORS 90.300 — Security deposits
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Oregon attorney.