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State deposit dispute guide

Oregon Landlord Kept Security Deposit for Painting

When a landlord in Oregon keeps a security deposit for painting, renters usually focus on whether the charge was for ordinary turnover repainting or for tenant-caused damage that truly needed repair.

Deadline: 31 daysPenalty multiplier: Up to 2xItemized deductions: RequiredStatute: Or. Rev. Stat. Section 90.300

The law in plain English

Return deadline

Under Or. Rev. Stat. Section 90.300, the deposit response usually has to be sent within 31 days of the move-out timeline described by the state rule.

Required notice

Oregon generally does not impose a statewide deposit cap, but the landlord usually has 31 days to send the refund or an itemized statement, and late or bad-faith withholding can support up to double damages.

This dispute type

Painting deductions are usually weakest when the landlord is refreshing the unit for the next tenant, covering faded walls, or addressing minor marks from normal occupancy. In Oregon, the refund deadline and deduction notice rules still apply even if the landlord claims the walls needed work.

Penalty leverage

If the withholding was wrongful or in bad faith, the exposure allowed under the statute is: You can recover up to twice the amount wrongfully withheld (failure to return on time can constitute bad faith)

FAQ

Common questions renters ask

Can a Oregon landlord charge to repaint between tenants?

Renters often challenge that when the repainting looks like ordinary turnover rather than repair of unusual tenant-caused damage.

Do small nail holes automatically justify a painting deduction?

Not automatically. The key issue is usually whether the condition goes beyond ordinary occupancy and whether the amount charged is tied to actual repair work.

What paperwork should the landlord provide?

The landlord still needs to comply with the notice process under Or. Rev. Stat. § 90.300, including the deduction breakdown and timing rules that apply in the state.

What if the paint was already old before move-out?

Evidence that the paint was already aged, fading, or due for refreshing can help show the landlord is trying to pass along routine turnover costs.

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Free tier

Use the free intake before you escalate the dispute.

Compare your timeline, deduction notice, and the landlord's stated reason against the state-specific rule set first.

Not legal advice - jurisdiction-accurate legal research