The Portland security deposit demand letter that gets deposits back.
Your Portland landlord must act within 31 days after termination and delivery of possession under Or. Rev. Stat. § 90.300. If they missed it, the statute is written on your side. We cite the statute, mail your demand USPS Certified, and track the response.
The law that protects your deposit
Deposits in Portland are governed by Oregon state law: Or. Rev. Stat. § 90.300. Wrongful withholding can make the landlord liable for twice the amount wrongfully withheld. Full Oregon deadline & penalty guide →
Extra protection in Portland
Portland adds city-level move-in cost and deposit accounting rules (PCC 30.01) on top of Oregon law.
If the landlord ignores your letter
Deposit claims from Portland are typically filed in the small-claims court serving Multnomah County — designed for people without lawyers, with modest filing fees.
Portland at a glance
Population ~630,000 (U.S. Census 2024 estimate, rounded). Every deposit dispute here runs on the same clock: the 31-day statutory window — and a certified letter is the documented first step.
General legal information, not legal advice. City-specific ordinances change; verify current rules or consult a licensed Oregon attorney.