Oregon Eviction Laws: Your Rights and Defenses Explained

The COVID-19 pandemic created an unprecedented health and economic crisis. Oregon responded with a state-wide moratorium on evictions. The governor signed an executive order on April 1, 2020. Lawmakers later extended the eviction moratorium to June 30, 2021. Tenants had to submit a declaration of hardship to receive protection.

During the moratorium, landlords could not:

• Issue termination notices for nonpayment of rent, fees, or utilities
• Charge penalties for nonpayment
• Issue termination notices without cause
• Initiate eviction cases based on back-rent owed
• Report tenants to credit bureaus for late payments
• File petitions for non-compliance based on non-payment

The eviction moratorium ended in June 2021. Landlords can now evict tenants following standard procedures. You need to know Oregon’s eviction laws to protect your rights. Understanding the law helps you mount effective defenses.

Oregon’s Eviction Moratorium Has Ended

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted housing and finances across America. The government provided crucial protections for struggling tenants.

Oregon’s eviction moratorium ended on June 30, 2021. Tenants still have certain protections, but not as extensive. Tenants who applied for Oregon rental assistance received additional time. They needed to show proof to landlords before June 30, 2022.

These tenants couldn’t be evicted until September 30, 2022, or until their application was processed. Whichever date came first determined their protection period.

COVID-19 eviction relief laws are no longer active. Oregon residents still have protections against unlawful eviction under state law.

State Law Sets Clear Requirements for Evictions

Eviction proceedings follow the Residential Landlord and Tenant chapter of Oregon’s Revised Statutes. Legal requirements vary based on your tenancy type.

Notice requirements differ for lease agreements versus month-to-month rentals. Eviction notices for nonpayment differ from no-cause evictions. A no-cause eviction means the landlord gives no reason.

Notice Requirements for Rent Arrears

Oregon law gives landlords two options for nonpayment notices:

• Three-day notice if rent is eight days late. You pay within three days or face eviction proceedings.
• Notice on the fifth day after rent is due. You get six days to pay or face eviction.

Example: Sarah falls two weeks behind on rent. Her landlord delivers a three-day eviction notice. Sarah must pay within three days. She receives financial help from family and pays before formal eviction starts.

Notice Requirements for Month-to-Month Tenants

Month-to-month tenancy means you pay rent monthly without a lease. The agreement continues until either party ends it.

Landlords must provide 90-day written notice for no-cause evictions. The notice must state when your tenancy ends. Landlords can’t issue no-cause evictions after your first year of occupancy. Exceptions exist for owner-occupied properties or buildings.

After one year of tenancy, no-cause eviction requires 60-90 days notice. Private rental housing landlords don’t need to provide a reason. Government-subsidized housing programs have different rules.

Notice Requirements for Lease Violations

Lease agreements typically run six months to one year. The term period determines renewal or termination dates.

Oregon law prevents either party from terminating without cause during the lease term. Exceptions apply for:

• Non-payment of rent
• Violation of lease agreement terms
• Intentionally engaging in dangerous behavior

Written lease agreements can’t shorten required notice periods. They can make notice periods longer. For example, landlords can give 96-hour notice for non-payment if the lease allows.

Fixed-term leases that don’t mention termination or renewal can end without notice. Either party can simply let the lease expire.

Landlords can evict for violating rental agreements. Violations include failure to pay utilities, late rent, or keeping unauthorized pets. The landlord gives 30-day notice explaining the violation.

You have 14 days to fix the violation. Correcting it stops the eviction process. If you commit the same violation within six months, you get 10-day notice. You can’t halt eviction by fixing it this time.

Failure to fix violations results in eviction after 30 days. If you’re facing a lawsuit from your landlord over unpaid rent, our partner Solo can help you respond quickly and properly.

Understanding Oregon’s 24-Hour Eviction Notice

Some circumstances allow landlords to evict with only 24-hour notice. State law outlines specific reasons for expedited evictions.

ORS Chapter 90, §90.396 permits 24-hour eviction when:

• You, someone you’re responsible for, or your pet seriously threatens or inflicts substantial injury on another person
• You or someone in your control recklessly endangers others on the premises
• Your pet inflicts substantial injury on a neighbor
• You or someone in your control intentionally damages the property substantially
• Your pet damages the property substantially on multiple occasions
• You provided false information about criminal convictions on your rental application within the past year
• You or someone in your control engages in prostitution or commercial sexual solicitation
• You or someone in your control manufactures, delivers, or possesses controlled substances
• You manufacture cannabinoid extract without proper licensing
• You or someone in your control commits a bias crime
• You or someone in your control commits burglary

Landlords cannot issue 24-hour notices to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, or stalking. These tenants have special protections under Oregon law.

Build Strong Defenses Against Eviction

Oregon tenants facing eviction have legal defenses available. You can challenge evictions when landlords don’t follow proper procedures.

Landlords must follow the outlined eviction procedures in the Oregon Revised Statutes. They can’t use self-help procedures like changing locks. Such actions are illegal.

You can sue your landlord for damages if they use illegal eviction methods. You can stop the eviction lawsuit. You can force the landlord to start over with proper procedures. Oregon landlords can only evict by obtaining a court judgment.

Lack of proper notice provides a strong defense during lawsuits. The landlord must correct mistakes and start over. They must issue proper notice giving you time to vacate.

Understanding Oregon eviction laws protects your rights as a tenant. Knowledge helps you identify violations and mount effective defenses.

Respond to Debt Lawsuits from Landlords

Eviction isn’t the only legal action landlords can take. Landlords may file complaints if you owe them money. You must respond to lawsuits within Oregon’s deadline.

Oregon gives you 30 days to respond to debt lawsuits. Failing to respond results in automatic loss by default judgment.

You must file a written Answer in court. Send a copy to the landlord’s attorney. Our partner Solo helps you draft and file your Answer in 15 minutes.

After filing an Answer, cases under $50,000 automatically go to court-sponsored arbitration. Arbitration can cost hundreds of dollars. Missing the hearing almost guarantees you’ll lose.

You can settle the debt before the scheduled hearing. Negotiating directly with the law firm often results in better outcomes. Early settlement saves time, money, and stress.

How Solo Helps You Resolve Debt

Our partner Solo makes resolving debt with collectors easier. You can respond to lawsuits, send letters, and settle debts.

Solo’s Answer service is a step-by-step web app. It asks necessary questions to complete your Answer document. An attorney reviews your document before filing.

Solo’s settlement service helps you contact debt collectors online. You can negotiate to settle for less than the full amount. The process simplifies and streamlines debt resolution.

Solo helps you wherever you are in the debt collection process. You can resolve your debt with professional guidance and support.