Oregon Normal Wear and Tear
Oregon landlords cannot use a security deposit to charge a tenant for ordinary wear and tear. Deductions should focus on allowed claims, such as unpaid rent, tenant defaults, tenant-caused damage beyond ordinary wear, and carpet cleaning only when Oregon's conditions are met.
Ordinary wear is normal use. Damage is more than normal use.
The hard part is that real disputes usually sit in the middle. A wall mark, carpet spot, appliance issue, or cleaning charge may depend on what the place looked like before, how long you lived there, and whether the landlord can explain the charge.
Examples of ordinary wear
Ordinary wear can include minor scuffs, ordinary fading, light carpet wear from regular walking, loose hardware from age, or other changes that happen from living in a unit normally.
These examples are not automatic rules. The condition, age, lease terms, photos, and repair records still matter.
Examples of stronger damage claims
Damage claims are stronger when the landlord can show:
- a condition that was not present at move-in
- damage beyond ordinary use
- a clear connection between the tenant's conduct and the charge
- a reasonable repair or cleaning amount
- an allowed statutory basis for keeping the money
If a charge looks like routine turnover, ordinary aging, or unsupported cleaning, dispute it in writing and ask for the basis of the claim.
Use plain facts: what the landlord charged, what the unit looked like at move-in and move-out, what proof you have, and why the charge looks like normal use instead of damage.
Related Oregon guides
- What can an Oregon landlord deduct?
- Oregon security deposit evidence guide
- Oregon move-out checklist
- Oregon security deposit demand letter
The guide above helps you separate normal use from damage. If the accounting charges you for ordinary use, the next step is a written dispute that ties your evidence to the specific charge. The paid Oregon Recovery System gives you that letter sequence without making you start from a blank page.
Get the Deposit Recovery System
Important: This page provides general information and is not legal advice.