Eviction Laws in Oregon
Non-payment of rent eviction in Oregon
When a tenant falls behind on rent in Oregon, the landlord must first serve a 10-day pay-or-quit notice. This gives the tenant 10 days to either pay the full amount owed or vacate. If the tenant does neither, the landlord can file an eviction lawsuit — called an unlawful detainer or summary possession action — in Oregon court.
A court order is required before any lockout. The landlord cannot change the locks, shut off utilities, or remove the tenant's belongings before winning a judgment.
Lease violation eviction in Oregon
For non-payment lease violations — unauthorized pets, excess occupants, noise complaints, property damage — the landlord must give 30 days notice. The tenant has 14 days to cure (fix) the violation. If corrected within that window, the tenancy continues. If not cured, the landlord may proceed with filing.
Terminating month-to-month tenancy in Oregon
To end a month-to-month rental agreement without cause, the landlord must give 30 days written notice. The tenant's notice requirement may differ — check your lease agreement.
Note: Oregon requires just cause to terminate any tenancy. A no-fault month-to-month termination must still qualify under one of the state's recognized grounds. See ORS § 90.392; § 90.394; § 90.427 for the full list.
Important Oregon eviction details
Oregon: 10-day pay-or-quit for non-payment (72 or 144 hours for chronic late-payers). HB 2001 (2021) requires just cause to evict after 1 year of tenancy. Month-to-month termination: 30 days (< 1yr) or 90 days (1+ yr). SB 608 (2019) imposes statewide rent increases capped at 7% + CPI annually. No-cause terminations trigger mandatory relocation assistance.
What counts as an illegal eviction in Oregon?
In Oregon, a landlord who attempts to evict a tenant without following the legal process commits an illegal (self-help) eviction. This includes:
- Changing the locks without a court order
- Removing doors, windows, or the tenant's belongings
- Shutting off utilities (electricity, water, heat)
- Harassment designed to pressure the tenant to leave
Self-help evictions are prohibited in all 50 states and DC. Tenants who experience an illegal lockout can typically seek emergency relief from a court and may be entitled to damages.
Oregon Eviction FAQ
- How many days notice does a landlord have to give for non-payment of rent in Oregon?
- In Oregon, a landlord must give at least 10 days' notice to pay or quit before filing for eviction for non-payment of rent, per ORS § 90.392; § 90.394; § 90.427.
- How many days does a tenant have to fix a lease violation in Oregon?
- In Oregon, the landlord must give 30 days' notice for a lease violation. The tenant typically has 14 days to correct (cure) the violation before the landlord can proceed with eviction.
- How much notice is required to terminate a month-to-month tenancy in Oregon?
- In Oregon, a landlord must give 30 days' notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy. The tenant may be required to give a different amount of notice — check your lease.
- Can a landlord evict a tenant without going to court in Oregon?
- No. Oregon requires a court order to evict. Self-help evictions — changing locks, removing the tenant's belongings, or shutting off utilities — are illegal. The landlord must serve the required notice, wait the notice period, and then file an eviction lawsuit if the tenant does not comply.
- Does Oregon require just cause to evict a tenant?
- Yes. Oregon requires just cause (a valid legal reason) to evict a tenant. Landlords cannot evict without a recognized reason such as non-payment, lease violation, or a specific statutory no-fault ground.