Oregon Security Deposit Law

Maximum deposit

Oregon sets no maximum security deposit, but the deposit must be listed in any written rental agreement and generally cannot be raised during the first year of the tenancy (ORS 90.300(3), (5)). (ORS 90.300 (no amount cap))

Return deadline

Landlords must return the deposit, or give a written accounting of any amount kept, within 31 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant delivers possession (ORS 90.300(12)–(13)). (ORS 90.300(12)–(14))

Itemized statement of deductions

To keep any part of the deposit, the landlord must give the tenant a written accounting stating the specific basis for each claim, with separate accountings for the deposit and prepaid rent (ORS 90.300(12)). (ORS 90.300(12))

Interest on the deposit

Oregon law does not require landlords to pay interest on security deposits (ORS 90.300 is silent on interest). (ORS 90.300 (silent on interest))

Penalty for wrongful withholding

A landlord who misses the 31-day return/accounting deadline or withholds in bad faith owes the tenant twice the amount withheld (ORS 90.300(16)). (ORS 90.300(16))

Where the deposit is held

Oregon requires the landlord to hold the deposit for the tenant, with the tenant's claim ranking ahead of the landlord's creditors, but sets no separate-account or escrow requirement (ORS 90.300(2)(a)). (ORS 90.300(2)(a))

Receipt or written notice of the deposit

Oregon landlords must give a receipt for any security deposit, and a written lease must list the deposit paid or required (ORS 90.300(2)(a), (3)). (ORS 90.300(2)(a), (3))

The statute requires a receipt but no notice of the bank or account where the deposit is kept.

Move-in condition checklist

Oregon's deposit statute does not require a move-in inspection or condition report, though deductions are limited to tenant-caused damage beyond ordinary wear and tear (ORS 90.300(7)). (ORS 90.300(7))

Pet deposits

Oregon bars pet security deposits for a service or companion animal that a tenant with a disability needs as a reasonable accommodation, and limits first-year deposit increases to agreed modifications such as allowing a pet (ORS 90.300(4), (5)(a)). (ORS 90.300(4), (5))

A new or higher deposit demanded after the first year must give the tenant at least three months to pay (ORS 90.300(5)(b)); fees for violating a written pet agreement are allowed under ORS 90.302(2)(d).

Nonrefundable fees

Oregon landlords may charge only the fees ORS 90.302 lists (such as late, dishonored-check and certain rule-violation fees) and may not charge an up-front fee for anticipated landlord expenses (ORS 90.302(1)-(3)). (ORS 90.302)

Every fee must be in a written rental agreement; a landlord charging an unauthorized fee owes the tenant the greater of twice actual damages or $300 (ORS 90.302(8)). Applicant screening charges and tenant-requested extras are outside the section (ORS 90.302(7)).

Small-landlord exemptions

Every Oregon residential landlord, however small, follows the same deposit rules, with no unit-count or owner-occupancy exemption (ORS 90.300). (ORS 90.300)

Deposit alternatives and installments

Oregon has no deposit-alternative or surety statute, but a tenant asked for a new or larger deposit after the first year of tenancy must be given at least three months to pay it (ORS 90.300(5)(b)). (ORS 90.300(5)(b))

Only a payment-time right for deposits added or raised after year one; no general installment right at move-in and no regulation of deposit-waiver products.