Security deposit law · Oregon

Oregon Security Deposit Law: How to Get Your Deposit Back

If you rent in Oregon, the law gives you specific rights when you move out — a deadline for your landlord to return your deposit, rules on deductions, and a path to push back if they don't. Here's exactly how it works, and how to protect yourself.

Return deadline31 days
Governing statuteOr. Rev. Stat. § 90.300
Deposit limitNo statutory limit
Itemized deductionsRequired
Interest on depositNot required by statute
Last reviewedMay 2026

Oregon-specific rules to know

Oregon explicitly encodes 31 days (not 30) for both the written accounting and the deposit refund. The "security deposit" includes any last-month rent deposit. No statewide cap on the deposit amount; if the landlord raises the deposit after year 1, you get at least 3 months to pay the increase. Bad-faith retention (or any retention without a written accounting): 2× the wrongfully withheld amount. SB 1069 (2023) added email as a valid delivery method for the accounting and refund if both parties agree post-move-in.

What Oregon law requires your landlord to do

Under Or. Rev. Stat. § 90.300, a Oregon landlord generally must return your deposit within 31 days and provide a written, itemized list of any amounts withheld. They may not deduct for ordinary wear and tear — only for damage beyond normal use, unpaid rent, or other charges the lease and statute allow.

What to do if your landlord won't return your deposit in Oregon

  1. 1. Know your deadline

    In Oregon, the return window is 31 days (Or. Rev. Stat. § 90.300). Mark the date you moved out and count forward.

  2. 2. Send a written demand

    Email and mail a dated letter requesting your full deposit, referencing the 31-day deadline under Or. Rev. Stat. § 90.300. Keep proof of delivery. Renter's Vault generates a Oregon-specific letter with the right statute citation filled in.

  3. 3. Gather your evidence

    Move-in and move-out photos with timestamps and location are the difference between your word and theirs. Attach your photo record and any move-in checklist.

  4. 4. Escalate to small claims

    If the landlord misses the deadline or won't respond, you can file in small claims court. Bring your dated demand letter and photo evidence.

Free Oregon dispute-letter guide

A clear, statute-cited demand letter resolves most deposit disputes without ever going to court. Renter's Vault builds a Oregon letter for you — pre-filled with Or. Rev. Stat. § 90.300, your deadline, and your deductions — in three escalating versions (first request, formal demand, and notice of intent to file).

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Oregon security deposit FAQ

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Oregon?

Under Or. Rev. Stat. § 90.300, a Oregon landlord must return your security deposit within 31 days after you move out, along with an itemized statement of any deductions.

What can I do if my landlord won't return my deposit in Oregon?

Send a written demand letter that cites Or. Rev. Stat. § 90.300 and the deadline, keep copies of all communication and your move-in/move-out photos, and if that fails you can file in small claims court. Many states allow extra damages when a landlord withholds a deposit in bad faith.

Is there a limit on how much a landlord can charge for a deposit in Oregon?

In Oregon, the statutory deposit limit is: No statutory limit. Always confirm against the current statute, since limits and exceptions change.

Are there any special deposit rules in Oregon?

Yes. Notable Oregon rules: Oregon explicitly encodes 31 days (not 30) for both the written accounting and the deposit refund. The "security deposit" includes any last-month rent deposit. No statewide cap on the deposit amount; if the landlord raises the deposit after year 1, you get at least 3 months to pay the increase. Bad-faith retention (or any retention without a written accounting): 2× the wrongfully withheld amount. SB 1069 (2023) added email as a valid delivery method for the accounting and refund if both parties agree post-move-in.

This page is general information for tenants, not legal advice, and laws change. Always confirm the current text of Or. Rev. Stat. § 90.300 or consult a local attorney or tenants' rights organization for your situation. Last reviewed May 2026.