Skip to content
How-to · Courts & legal

Demand return of an Oregon rental security deposit

Oregon Law Help provides a demand-letter example for a landlord’s failure to return a security deposit within 31 days after moving out.

Steps

2 steps
  1. Identify the deposit and missed deadlineUse the security-deposit example to state the deposit amount and the date it should have been paid.
  2. Use the example to write a demand letterThe guide provides language for a demand before taking a landlord to small-claims court.
  • How-to

    Answer an Oregon debt-collection lawsuit outside small claims

    Courts & legal
    1. Complete an honest answer within 30 daysThe answer must reach the court within 30 days from the day you received the complaint.
    2. File and send a copy to the other sideMake two additional copies. File with the circuit court named in the complaint and pay the fee or request a waiver or deferral. Mail a copy to the plaintiff’s lawyer, or the plaintiff without a lawyer, and complete the mailing certificate.
    Oregon Judicial Department
  • How-to

    Apply for a court-appointed lawyer in Oregon

    Courts & legal
    1. Use the statewide application formStatewide forms from the Forms Center are accepted in all circuit courts.
    2. List income, assets, expenses and debtsGive amounts for yourself and your spouse or registered domestic partner combined.
    3. Sign the declarationYou declare that your statements are true to the best of your knowledge and belief.
    BringDate of birthMonthly income amountsEmployer names and addresses
    CostYou may be ordered to pay part of the cost, based on your ability to pay
    Oregon Judicial Department
  • How-to

    Ask an Oregon court to waive or defer a civil filing fee

    Courts & legal
    1. Complete the application and proposed orderFill out the Application for Deferral or Waiver of Fees and Declaration in Support and the Order. On the Order, do not mark anything below “The court finds Applicant:”.
    2. Match the case headingUse the same party names and case number as your case papers. A deferral delays payment; it does not waive the fee.
    Oregon Judicial Department