State Law Guide · Updated January 2026
Your landlord's deductions may not hold up under state law.
Oregon Security Deposit Laws
Under Oregon Revised Statutes § 90.300, Oregon landlords must return security deposits within 31 days of a tenant moving out. Landlords who wrongfully withhold deposits face penalties of up to Up to 2x the deposit wrongfully withheld.
Quick Answer
In Oregon, landlords have 31 days to return your security deposit after you move out and provide a forwarding address. The maximum deposit is No statutory limit. If your landlord wrongfully withholds your deposit, you can sue in Small Claims Court (up to $10,000) and may recover Up to 2x the deposit wrongfully withheld under Oregon Revised Statutes § 90.300. Landlords must provide an itemized statement of deductions.
Received deductions from your landlord?
Check if they violate Oregon law
What Oregon Law Requires
Return Deadline
Landlords have exactly 31 days to return your deposit after you move out. If they make deductions, they must provide an itemized statement explaining each charge with documentation.
Penalties for Violations
Landlords who wrongfully withhold deposits face Up to 2x the deposit wrongfully withheld. You can file in small claims court for amounts up to $10,000without needing an attorney.
Interest Requirements
No statewide interest requirement
Your landlord was required to follow these rules exactly. If they didn't, you may be owed your full deposit back — plus penalties. A formal letter citing the applicable rule and documenting the amount is harder to ignore than a phone call. Upload their deduction letter to find out.
Common Deductions Landlords Make
Federal guidelines from HUD and the IRS establish "useful life" standards that limit what landlords can charge. Many common deductions are partially or fully invalid under these guidelines.
Carpet Replacement
Typical: $600-1,8005-year useful life per HUD MAP Guide Appendix 5C. Charges may be reduced or invalid based on how long you lived there.
Mold Treatment
Typical: $200-700May be contestable depending on your lease terms and move-in condition.
How It Works
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Drop in your landlord's deduction letter — about 30 seconds, no account.
See Which Charges Don't Hold Up
Our AI checks each deduction against Oregon law and HUD guidelines — free.
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See how much may be recoverable. A court-ready demand letter is optional if you decide to act.
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Get a Demand Letter That Cites These Laws
Our tool analyzes your landlord's deductions against Oregon Revised Statutes § 90.300 and federal HUD guidelines, then generates a formal demand letter you can send immediately.
Legal Demand Letter
Cites exact statutes & deadlines
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HUD/IRS Citations
Useful life depreciation built in
What you'll see before you decide
A document-specific answer, not a generic promise:
- The amount at issue, itemized
- The rules or contract terms that appear applicable
- What looks strong, weak, or needs more evidence
Free analysis first. The optional letter comes after you see the result.
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Check each deduction against Oregon law, including Oregon Revised Statutes § 90.300, and see what may be disputable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an Oregon landlord have to return my deposit?
Oregon landlords have 31 days to return your deposit with an itemized statement of deductions.
What about Portland's specific rules?
Portland has caps on total move-in costs and additional tenant protections beyond state law.
What penalties exist for Oregon landlords?
Wrongful withholding can result in up to 2x the deposit amount. Oregon courts are tenant-friendly.
Have your landlord's deduction letter handy?
How much can I recover in Oregon for a wrongful deposit withholding?
Oregon allows up to 2x the deposit wrongfully withheld under ORS § 90.300. Small Claims Court handles disputes up to $10,000. With typical Oregon deposits of $1,500, doubled recoveries can reach $3,000 plus court costs and prevailing party fees.
City-Specific Rules
Some Oregon cities have additional tenant protections:
- Portland: Move-in cost caps. Relocation assistance requirements. Strong tenant protections.
- Eugene: Additional tenant protections through city ordinances.
Official Resources
- Oregon Attorney General Consumer Protection(Government)
- Oregon Law Center(Legal Aid)
Compare Other States
See how Oregon's security deposit laws compare to nearby states:
Find the Improper Charges in Your Oregon Deductions
Your Oregon landlord had 31 days to return your deposit — see whether they met every requirement.
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Average Oregon deposit: $1,500 · Oregon Revised Statutes § 90.300 · HUD Handbook 4350.1 · IRS Publication 527