Oregon Security Deposit Law
Oregon rules on security deposits for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: No statutory cap on the amount of a security deposit. ORS 90.300
The rules in Oregon
| Security deposit limit | No statutory cap on the amount of a security deposit. ORS 90.300 (2025 Edition) regulates deposits but sets no maximum. 2025 HB 3251 (eff. 1/1/2026, per Portland Housing Bureau summary) requires return of a deposit when a tenant does not enter the rental agreement due to habitability defects - not independently verified in the statute text. Source: ORS 90.300 |
|---|---|
| Deposit return deadline | 31 days after the tenancy terminates and the tenant delivers possession. Source: ORS 90.300(12)-(13) |
| Itemized deductions | Within the same 31 days, the landlord must give a written accounting stating specifically the basis of each claim. Deductions are limited to amounts reasonably necessary to remedy tenant defaults (including unpaid rent) or repair damage beyond ordinary wear and tear. Source: ORS 90.300(7), (12) |
| Interest on deposits | Not required by statute. ORS 90.300 contains no interest requirement. Source: ORS 90.300 |
| Penalty for withholding | Twice the amount withheld without a written accounting, or twice the amount withheld in bad faith. Source: ORS 90.300(16) |
Free calculators
- Security Deposit Deadline Calculator — See when your landlord must return your deposit, and the penalty your state sets if they don't.
Templates
Related questions
- How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit?
- How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit?
- What can a landlord charge for at move-out (cleaning, painting, carpet)?
Oregon vs. neighboring states
| State | Security deposit limit | Deposit return deadline | Itemized deductions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | No statutory cap on the amount of a security deposit. ORS 90.300 | 31 days after the tenancy terminates and the tenant delivers possession. ORS 90.300(12)-(13) | Within the same 31 days, the landlord must give a written accounting stating specifically the basis of each claim. Deductions are limited to amounts reasonably necessary to remedy tenant defaults (including unpaid rent) or repair damage beyond ordinary wear and tear. ORS 90.300(7), (12) |
| California | One month's rent, in addition to the first month's rent. Small-landlord exception: up to two months' rent if the landlord is a natural person (or an LLC whose members are all natural persons) who owns no more than two residential rental properties with no more than four units in total. The exception does not apply if the prospective tenant is a service member. Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5(c)(1), (c)(5) | No later than 21 calendar days after the tenant vacates. The landlord must return the remaining deposit with an itemized statement. Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5(h)(1) | The landlord must give an itemized statement of deductions. For deductions over $125, it must include copies of receipts or invoices, or the landlord's own time and hourly rate. If work cannot be finished within 21 days, a good-faith estimate is allowed, with documents due within 14 days of completion. Deductions for repairs or cleaning must include photographs. The tenant may also request a pre-move-out initial inspection, at which the landlord lists proposed deductions so the tenant can fix them. Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5(f), (g), (h)(2)-(5) |
| Idaho | No statutory cap on the amount of a security deposit. Idaho Code § 6-321 | 21 days after the tenant surrenders the premises if the lease sets no time; the lease may set a different period but never more than 30 days. Idaho Code § 6-321 | If only part of the deposit is refunded, the landlord must include a signed statement itemizing the amounts kept, the reasons, and the expenditures. Deductions may not be taken for normal wear and tear. Idaho Code § 6-321 |
| Nevada | Security deposit plus any surety bond may not total more than 3 months' periodic rent. NRS 118A.242(1) | 30 days after termination of the tenancy. NRS 118A.242(4) | Landlord must give an itemized, written accounting of the disposition of the deposit (and/or surety bond) with any remaining balance within 30 days. Deductions limited to unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear, and reasonable cleaning costs. NRS 118A.242(4) |
| Washington | No statutory cap on a residential security deposit. A holding fee/deposit to secure a unit may not exceed 25% of the first month's rent, and tenants may request to pay deposits, nonrefundable fees and last month's rent in installments (3 equal monthly installments for terms of 3 months or more; 2 otherwise). RCW 59.18.260; RCW 59.18.610 | 30 days after the rental agreement terminates and the tenant vacates (or 30 days after the landlord learns of abandonment). RCW 59.18.280(1) | Required: a full and specific statement of the basis for retaining any of the deposit, with supporting documentation (estimates, invoices, receipts; time and hourly rate for landlord's own labor). No deductions for ordinary wear, for carpet cleaning unless wear exceeds ordinary use, or for conditions not documented on the move-in checklist. RCW 59.18.280(1) |
City rules that may add to state law
More Oregon rental law
- Oregon Eviction Laws
- Oregon Notice to Vacate Rules
- Landlord Entry Rules in Oregon
- Oregon Repairs & Tenant Remedies
- Oregon Rent Increase & Late Fee Laws
- Breaking a Lease in Oregon
- Squatters' Rights in Oregon
- Oregon Rental Fee Rules
- Oregon Section 8, Records & Right to Counsel
- Oregon Mold, Pests, Heat & AC Rules
- Oregon Privacy, Guests & Animal Rules
- Oregon Landlord Selling the House
- Oregon Lockouts, Utility Shutoffs & Retaliation
- Oregon Subletting, Lease Endings & Tenant Death
- All Oregon landlord-tenant rules
- Free legal help in Oregon
Compare security deposits in all 50 states and DC →
Oregon Security Deposit Law FAQ
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Oregon?
No statutory cap on the amount of a security deposit. (ORS 90.300)
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Oregon?
31 days after the tenancy terminates and the tenant delivers possession. (ORS 90.300(12)-(13))
Does a landlord in Oregon have to give an itemized list of deposit deductions?
Within the same 31 days, the landlord must give a written accounting stating specifically the basis of each claim. Deductions are limited to amounts reasonably necessary to remedy tenant defaults (including unpaid rent) or repair damage beyond ordinary wear and tear. (ORS 90.300(7), (12))
Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Oregon?
Not required by statute. (ORS 90.300)
What happens if a landlord in Oregon wrongfully keeps a security deposit?
Twice the amount withheld without a written accounting, or twice the amount withheld in bad faith. (ORS 90.300(16))
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.