Oregon state has various laws regarding the use of rental applications. If your document is not compliant with OR law, you may get sued by the applicant and face legal consequences.
Application Fee
In Oregon, there is a state limit on rental application fees. OR Landlords cannot charge tenants more than average actual cost of screening applicants as an application fee (§ 90.295). This amount is non-refundable.
Security Deposit
Oregon doesn’t set any limits on how much you can charge as a security deposit (§ 90.300). However, it is recommended not to charge more than 1-2 months rent for this amount.
Housing Discrimination Law
Oregon follows the federal Fair Housing Act. This act bans any discrimination based on an applicant's race, religion, sex, disability, and more.
Certain exemptions may apply to shared housing, senior communities, religious groups, and small owner-occupied properties.
Notice of Eligibility
Potential tenants must be informed about the screening criteria and reasons for possible denial or approval in advance. To prove that this information has been shared, a signature of acknowledgment must be provided within the application or alongside it.
Consent Credit Check
Within Oregon, federal law is in effect that requires potential renters to provide written consent for a credit history check during the application process. This is known as the Federal Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).