Oregon Statewide Rule

Oregon Security Deposit Law (ORS 90.300)

Some RestrictionsApplies statewide across Oregon (2026)

Key Facts

Deposit cap: No statutory maximum
Return deadline: 31 days after the tenancy ends and possession is returned
Itemized statement: Required; written accounting stating the basis for each deduction
Statute: Or. Rev. Stat. § 90.300
Penalty: Twice the amount wrongfully withheld

Last verified: August 20, 2026

Summary

Oregon sets no dollar cap on residential security deposits, but it tightly controls how they are returned. After the tenancy ends and the tenant gives up possession, the landlord has 31 days to refund the deposit with a written, itemized accounting of any deductions. Wrongful withholding exposes the landlord to twice the amount kept.

Security deposits; prepaid rent. (1) As used in this section, “security deposit” includes any last month’s rent deposit. (2)(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a landlord may require a tenant to pay a security deposit. The landlord shall provide the tenant with a receipt for any security deposit the tenant pays. The landlord shall hold a security deposit or prepaid rent for the tenant who is a party to the rental agreement. A tenant’s claim to the security deposit or prepaid rent is prior to the claim of a creditor of the landlord, including a trustee in bankruptcy.

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Full Breakdown

Under Or. Rev. Stat. § 90.300, a landlord may require a security deposit but the statute imposes no maximum amount. When the tenancy terminates and the tenant delivers possession, the landlord must "return to the tenant the security deposit" and give "a written accounting that states specifically the basis or bases of the claim" no later than 31 days after termination. A landlord may apply the deposit only to the tenant's defaults under the rental agreement, including unpaid rent, and to repairing damage "caused by the tenant, not including ordinary wear and tear." Carpet cleaning and certain cleaning costs are allowed only under the conditions the statute spells out. Normal wear and tear may never be deducted.

Violations & Penalties

If a landlord fails to provide the accounting and refund within 31 days, or withholds part of the deposit in bad faith, Or. Rev. Stat. § 90.300(16) lets the tenant "recover the money due in an amount equal to twice the amount" wrongfully withheld, in addition to any deposit improperly kept.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Oregon?

There is no statutory limit. Or. Rev. Stat. § 90.300 allows a landlord to require a security deposit but sets no maximum amount, so the cap is whatever the parties agree to in the rental agreement.

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

Thirty-one days. Under ORS 90.300, the landlord must return the deposit and provide a written, itemized accounting of any deductions no later than 31 days after the tenancy terminates and the tenant returns possession of the unit.

What can a landlord deduct from a security deposit in Oregon?

Only the tenant's defaults under the lease, including unpaid rent, and the cost of repairing damage the tenant caused beyond ordinary wear and tear. Each deduction must appear in the written accounting the landlord delivers within 31 days. Normal wear and tear cannot be charged.

Sources

Or. Rev. Stat. § 90.300 (Security deposits; prepaid rent)

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