Oregon Lockouts, Utility Shutoffs & Retaliation
Oregon rules on lockouts, utility shutoffs & retaliation for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: If a landlord unlawfully removes or locks out a tenant, or seriously attempts or threatens to, the tenant may get a court order (injunction) to recover possession, or end the lease and recover up to two months' periodic rent or twice the actual damages, whichever is greater. ORS 90.375
The rules in Oregon
| Lockouts and illegal eviction | If a landlord unlawfully removes or locks out a tenant, or seriously attempts or threatens to, the tenant may get a court order (injunction) to recover possession, or end the lease and recover up to two months' periodic rent or twice the actual damages, whichever is greater. If the lease ends, the landlord must return all recoverable security deposits and prepaid rent. The tenant can recover damages without ending the lease or regaining possession. Source: ORS 90.375 |
|---|---|
| Landlord shutting off utilities | If a landlord willfully cuts or seriously threatens to cut heat, running water, hot water, electricity or another essential service, the tenant may get a court order to restore possession, or end the lease and recover up to two months' rent or twice the actual damages, whichever is greater; the tenant does not have to move out to recover damages. Separately, if the landlord intentionally or negligently fails to supply an essential service, the tenant may, after written notice and a reasonable time, buy the service and deduct the cost from rent, recover reduced-rent damages, or get substitute housing and owe no rent for that period. Source: ORS 90.375, 90.365 |
| Landlord retaliation | Landlord may not raise rent, reduce services, serve a termination notice, or sue for possession because the tenant complained to a government agency, made a good-faith complaint to the landlord, joined a tenant organization, testified against the landlord, or successfully defended a possession action within the previous 6 months. Tenant has a defense and the ORS 90.375 remedies. No fixed presumption period in the statute other than the 6-month look-back for a successfully defended possession action. Exceptions include tenant rent default when notice served (ORS 90.385(4)). Source: ORS 90.385 |
Related questions
Oregon vs. neighboring states
| State | Lockouts and illegal eviction | Landlord shutting off utilities | Landlord retaliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | If a landlord unlawfully removes or locks out a tenant, or seriously attempts or threatens to, the tenant may get a court order (injunction) to recover possession, or end the lease and recover up to two months' periodic rent or twice the actual damages, whichever is greater. If the lease ends, the landlord must return all recoverable security deposits and prepaid rent. The tenant can recover damages without ending the lease or regaining possession. ORS 90.375 | If a landlord willfully cuts or seriously threatens to cut heat, running water, hot water, electricity or another essential service, the tenant may get a court order to restore possession, or end the lease and recover up to two months' rent or twice the actual damages, whichever is greater; the tenant does not have to move out to recover damages. Separately, if the landlord intentionally or negligently fails to supply an essential service, the tenant may, after written notice and a reasonable time, buy the service and deduct the cost from rent, recover reduced-rent damages, or get substitute housing and owe no rent for that period. ORS 90.375, 90.365 | Landlord may not raise rent, reduce services, serve a termination notice, or sue for possession because the tenant complained to a government agency, made a good-faith complaint to the landlord, joined a tenant organization, testified against the landlord, or successfully defended a possession action within the previous 6 months. Tenant has a defense and the ORS 90.375 remedies. ORS 90.385 |
| California | Lockouts and other self-help evictions are illegal. The landlord must go to court and may not physically remove or lock out the tenant, remove outside doors or windows, or take the tenant's belongings to carry out an eviction. A landlord who does so may be liable for the tenant's actual damages plus penalties of up to $100 per day for the time the unlawful methods were used. Cal. Dept. of Real Estate, California Tenants: A Guide to Residential Tenants' and Landlords' Rights and Responsibilities (2026 ed.) | A landlord must use the court eviction process and may not use self-help to force a tenant out, such as cutting off water, gas or electricity. A landlord who uses unlawful methods may be liable for the tenant's actual damages (such as hotel and meal costs) plus penalties of up to $100 per day for the time the unlawful methods were used. Cal. Dept. of Real Estate, California Tenants: A Guide to Residential Tenants' and Landlords' Rights and Responsibilities (2026 ed.) | A landlord may not evict, raise rent, or reduce services within 180 days after the tenant, in good faith, gives a repair notice under § 1942, reports a suspected bed bug infestation, complains about habitability, complains to a housing agency, or takes part in a related inspection, lawsuit, or arbitration. This applies only if the tenant is not behind on rent, and a tenant may invoke it once per 12 months. Retaliation for organizing or joining a tenants' association, or for exercising other legal rights, is also unlawful. Threatening to report a tenant to immigration authorities counts as retaliation. Cal. Civ. Code § 1942.5 |
| Idaho | Self-help eviction is unlawful in Idaho. The Attorney General's manual says a landlord may not shut off utilities, change the locks, take the tenant's belongings or do anything other than file a lawful eviction case. Turning a person out of possession by force, threats or menacing conduct is a forcible entry under Idaho law, and a tenant who recovers damages for a forcible or unlawful entry or detention may be awarded three times the actual damages. Idaho Attorney General, Landlord and Tenant Manual (July 2026), pp. 27-28; Idaho Code §§ 6-301, 6-317 | The Idaho Attorney General's Landlord and Tenant Manual lists shutting off the utilities among the self-help steps that are unlawful for a landlord trying to force a tenant out; the landlord must use a court eviction instead. The manual notes a landlord or utility may shut off a utility for a reasonable time when repairs are needed. Idaho Attorney General, Landlord and Tenant Manual (July 2026), pp. 15-16, 27-28 | No statute — Idaho has no general anti-retaliation statute for residential tenants. The Idaho Attorney General's Landlord and Tenant Manual says a landlord may not evict a tenant for asking for repairs or joining a tenants' association, but it cites no statute and sets no presumption period. Tenants in manufactured home communities are protected by statute: the landlord may not end or refuse to renew the tenancy, raise rent, cut services, or threaten eviction because the resident complained in good faith to a code agency or to the landlord, joined or led a resident association, or hired a lawyer or agent. No statute (Idaho Code Title 6 ch. 3 and Title 55 chs. 2-3 checked); Idaho Code § 55-2015 (manufactured home communities only) |
| Nevada | Self-help eviction is banned. A landlord may take possession only through a court action, after the tenant surrenders the unit, or after the tenant abandons it as defined by statute. If the landlord unlawfully removes or locks out the tenant, the tenant may file a verified complaint for expedited relief within 5 judicial days, and the court must hold a hearing within 3 judicial days of filing. The tenant may recover possession or end the agreement and recover actual damages, up to $2,500 set by the court, or both. NRS 118A.480, 118A.390 | No. If a landlord willfully interrupts, or causes or permits the interruption of, an essential item or service, the tenant may seek immediate possession through an expedited court complaint, use the essential-services remedies, or end the rental agreement, and may recover actual damages, an amount up to $2,500 set by the court, or both. In setting the award the court considers the landlord's good faith, the parties' course of dealing, and the harm to the tenant. NRS 118A.390, 118A.380 | Landlord may not terminate/refuse to renew, raise rent, decrease essential services, or bring or threaten a possession action because the tenant in good faith complained of building/housing/health code violations, complained to the landlord or law enforcement of a violation of Ch. 118A or a criminal statute, organized or joined a tenants' union, instituted or defended a habitability proceeding, filed a fair housing complaint, or is a victim of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault or stalking (among other listed acts). Tenant gets NRS 118A.390 remedies and a defense to a retaliatory possession action. NRS 118A.510 |
| Washington | It is unlawful for a landlord to remove or shut out a tenant without a court order. A tenant removed or excluded this way may get back possession or end the rental agreement, and in either case recover actual damages. The winning side may recover costs and reasonable attorney's fees. RCW 59.18.290(1) | No. It is unlawful for a landlord to intentionally cause any of the tenant's utility services, including water, heat, electricity or gas, to be shut off, except for a reasonable interruption to make necessary repairs. A landlord who violates this may owe the tenant actual damages plus up to $100 for each day or part of a day without service, and the winning side may recover costs and reasonable attorney's fees. RCW 59.18.300 | Landlord may not evict, raise rent, reduce services or increase obligations (or threaten to) in retaliation for good-faith complaints to a government authority about code violations or for asserting rights under RCW 59.18. Action within 90 days after the protected act (or a resulting inspection/proceeding) is presumed retaliatory. RCW 59.18.240; RCW 59.18.250 |
City rules that may add to state law
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Oregon Lockouts, Utility Shutoffs & Retaliation FAQ
Can a landlord change the locks without a court order in Oregon?
If a landlord unlawfully removes or locks out a tenant, or seriously attempts or threatens to, the tenant may get a court order (injunction) to recover possession, or end the lease and recover up to two months' periodic rent or twice the actual damages, whichever is greater. If the lease ends, the landlord must return all recoverable security deposits and prepaid rent. The tenant can recover damages without ending the lease or regaining possession. (ORS 90.375)
Can a landlord shut off utilities in Oregon?
If a landlord willfully cuts or seriously threatens to cut heat, running water, hot water, electricity or another essential service, the tenant may get a court order to restore possession, or end the lease and recover up to two months' rent or twice the actual damages, whichever is greater; the tenant does not have to move out to recover damages. Separately, if the landlord intentionally or negligently fails to supply an essential service, the tenant may, after written notice and a reasonable time, buy the service and deduct the cost from rent, recover reduced-rent damages, or get substitute housing and owe no rent for that period. (ORS 90.375, 90.365)
Can a landlord retaliate against a tenant for complaining in Oregon?
Landlord may not raise rent, reduce services, serve a termination notice, or sue for possession because the tenant complained to a government agency, made a good-faith complaint to the landlord, joined a tenant organization, testified against the landlord, or successfully defended a possession action within the previous 6 months. Tenant has a defense and the ORS 90.375 remedies. (ORS 90.385)
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.