Oregon Security Deposit Demand Letter
An Oregon security deposit demand letter should state the tenancy termination date, possession-delivery date, deposit amount, current mailing address, what is missing, and what the landlord must do next.
The letter should also identify whether the landlord missed the 31-day deadline, failed to send a written accounting, failed to return the unclaimed balance, or claimed deductions that do not fit Oregon law.
A good demand letter is not just a complaint. It creates a dated record of the problem, the amount at issue, the rule you are relying on, and the documents you want the landlord to explain.
What the letter should include
- Landlord name and contact information
- Rental address
- Deposit amount paid
- Tenancy termination date
- Possession-delivery or key-return date
- Current mailing address
- Whether a written accounting was sent
- What deductions you dispute, if deductions were claimed
- Whether prepaid rent or a last month's rent deposit is involved
- The amount or accounting being demanded
Use the correct Oregon rule
Oregon's key rule is not just "send my deposit back." Under ORS 90.300, the landlord generally must provide a written accounting and return any unclaimed security deposit balance within 31 days after the tenancy terminates and the tenant delivers possession.
If the landlord claims deductions, focus on the basis for each claim, whether the amount is reasonably necessary, whether the charge is for ordinary wear, and whether carpet-cleaning conditions are actually met.
Before sending the letter, gather the proof you would need if the landlord ignores it: photos, move-out records, key-return proof, the accounting, envelopes, emails, and any carpet-cleaning or prepaid-rent records.
Sample Oregon security deposit demand letter
Copy this sample and adjust it to match your facts.
[Date]
[Landlord Name]
[Landlord Mailing Address]
Re: Security deposit demand for [Rental Address]
Dear [Landlord Name],
I rented the unit at [Rental Address]. My tenancy terminated on [Tenancy Termination Date], and I delivered possession on [Possession Delivery Date] by [returning keys, vacating and surrendering the unit, or other method].
I paid a security deposit of $[Deposit Amount]. My current mailing address is:
[Tenant Current Mailing Address]
Under ORS 90.300, an Oregon landlord must provide any required written accounting and return any unclaimed security deposit balance within 31 days after the tenancy terminates and the tenant delivers possession.
As of today, I have not received [describe what is missing: the return of my security deposit, a complete written accounting, the refund balance, or another deposit response]. Please send the amount owed or a complete written accounting within [5 to 7] business days.
If you are claiming deductions, please identify the basis for each claim and the exact amount retained. I dispute unsupported charges, ordinary-wear charges, carpet-cleaning charges that do not meet Oregon's requirements, and any amount not reasonably tied to an allowed claim.
If prepaid rent or a last month's rent deposit is involved, please account for that separately from any security deposit deduction.
I am preserving all remedies available under Oregon law where ORS 90.300 applies and the facts support them, including recovery tied to amounts withheld without required accounting or withheld in bad faith.
Sincerely,
[Tenant Name]
[Tenant Phone or Email]
Related Oregon guides
- Oregon security deposit deadline
- What can an Oregon landlord deduct?
- Oregon security deposit evidence guide
- Oregon small claims basics
The sample above helps you draft your own letter. One letter can solve a simple problem, but harder disputes usually need a cleaner sequence: confirm the move-out record, ask for the deposit or accounting, challenge weak deductions, and then send a final demand if needed. The paid Oregon Recovery System packages that sequence so you are not writing each step from scratch.
Get the Deposit Recovery System
Important: This page provides general information and is not legal advice.