You just signed a lease

You signed a lease. A few things are true starting right now that weren't true an hour ago, and a few more kick in a year from now. This walkthrough gets you oriented.

During your first year: landlord can end your tenancy with 30 days notice for no reason (60 to 90 in Portland). After 12 months, they can't. After year one, they can only evict you for an actual cause or a qualifying reason like selling the building.

The big shift happens at month 13. Mark it on your calendar.

Source: ORS 90.427, Termination of tenancy without tenant cause

Your security deposit has rules. Run through these:

• How much did you pay? Write it down. You'll want this number when you move out.
• Portland tenants: your deposit can't exceed 1.5x your monthly rent. If you paid more than that, the excess is recoverable.
• Where is it held? In Portland, landlords must hold deposits in a separate federally-insured account, pay you interest, and can only deduct for actual damage with itemization (not normal wear and tear).
• When you move out: they have 31 days to return your deposit with an itemized statement of any deductions. If they miss the deadline OR fail to itemize, you can recover up to twice the deposit amount in court.
• What counts as damage: broken stuff, holes in walls beyond normal wear, stains beyond normal wear. What does NOT count: faded paint, worn carpet, minor scuff marks, normal aging.

Source: ORS 90.300, Security deposits | Portland-specific: Portland City Code 30.01.087

Your landlord must keep your place livable. That means heat that reaches 68°F, working plumbing, electric, hot water, weatherproof structure, working smoke + carbon monoxide detectors. If they don't fix essential stuff within 7 days (24 hours for emergencies), you can repair it yourself and deduct up to $300 from rent. Give them 7-day written notice first.

Source: ORS 90.320, Landlord to maintain premises in habitable condition | ORS 90.368, Repair of minor habitability defect

Your landlord can ask for: legal name, income, rental history, background check.

They cannot ask for: gender identity, trans status, medical history, surgical status, reason for name change. Not optional, that's Oregon law. If they did ask, and then denied you, save those texts/emails.

Source: ORS 659A.421, Discrimination in selling, renting or leasing real property prohibited

They also can't ask about your immigration status as of 2025: ORS 90.388

If you legally change your name while you're a tenant: you don't need a new lease. You get a lease amendment that says your old name is now your new name. All parties sign. That's it. Landlord can ask for the court order, not for anything else.

You're set up. Your biggest protections kick in at month 13, mark that on your calendar.

If something changes or a notice arrives, come back here and log it.