Oregon (OR) eviction guide
Quick answer
To evict a tenant in Oregon, a landlord must first serve a written notice. The shortest notice is 72 hours for nonpayment of rent (week-to-week tenancies) or 10 days for most other nonpayment situations. If the tenant does not comply, the landlord files a Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) lawsuit in Circuit Court. The full process typically takes 4 to 8 weeks from notice to lockout.
| Legal grounds | Nonpayment of rent, lease violation, illegal activity, no-cause (just-cause rules apply after 1 year) |
|---|---|
| Minimum notice | 72 hours (nonpayment, week-to-week) |
| Where to file | Circuit Court in the county where the rental is located |
| Filing fee | About $88 to $270 (varies by county) |
| Typical timeframe | 4 to 8 weeks |
Used for nonpayment of rent; 72 hours applies to week-to-week tenancies and 144 hours (about 6 days) applies when notice is given earlier in the rental period under ORS 90.394.
Standard nonpayment notice for monthly tenancies; tenant has 10 days to pay all overdue rent or vacate under ORS 90.394.
Issued for a curable lease violation such as unauthorized pets or guests; tenant has 14 days to fix the problem before the landlord can proceed to court under ORS 90.392.
Reserved for severe misconduct including violence, drug manufacturing, or an immediate threat to safety; no opportunity to cure under ORS 90.396.
| Step | Timeframe | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Serve the Written Notice | 24 hours to 30 days | Deliver the correct notice type to the tenant in person or by first-class mail; mailed notices add 3 days to the notice period. |
| 2. Wait Out the Notice Period | 1 to 30 days | If the tenant pays, cures the violation, or vacates during this window, no lawsuit is needed. |
| 3. File an FED Complaint in Circuit Court | 1 to 3 days | File a Forcible Entry and Detainer complaint at the Circuit Court in the county where the property sits and pay the filing fee of about $88 to $270. |
| 4. Serve the Summons on the Tenant | Within 7 days before the hearing | A process server or the sheriff delivers the summons and complaint; service must be completed before the court date. |
| 5. Attend the Court Hearing | About 7 to 15 days after filing | An appearance hearing is typically set about 7 days after filing; if the case is contested, a full eviction hearing follows within 15 more days. |
| 6. Receive Judgment and Writ of Execution | Same day to a few days after hearing | If the judge rules for the landlord, a writ of execution (writ of possession) is issued; the tenant then has 4 days to vacate before the sheriff carries out the physical lockout. |
Expect to pay roughly $88 to $270 in court filing fees, plus $50 to $150 for process server or sheriff service of the summons. Attorney fees, if you hire one, can add $500 to $2,000 or more, though many Oregon landlords handle uncontested FED cases without a lawyer.
Once the court enters a judgment for the landlord, the Circuit Court clerk issues a writ of execution (also called a writ of possession). The sheriff or constable of the county where the property is located serves the writ on the tenant, who then has 4 days to voluntarily leave before the sheriff physically removes them and their belongings. Self-help eviction, such as changing locks or removing belongings without a writ, is illegal in Oregon and exposes the landlord to damages.
General information, not legal advice. Governing statute: Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 90 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act). Self-help eviction is illegal everywhere; always follow the court process.
Oregon eviction FAQ
Most Oregon evictions take **4 to 8 weeks** from the day the notice is served to the day the sheriff performs the lockout. Uncontested cases with a 72-hour notice can move faster; contested hearings or appeals add time.
Plan on at least **$150 to $400** for filing and service fees. If you hire an attorney, total costs can reach **$1,500 to $3,000** or more for a contested case. Small uncontested evictions are often handled without a lawyer to keep costs down.
No. Oregon law requires a court judgment before a landlord can remove a tenant. Changing the locks, cutting utilities, or removing belongings without a writ of execution is illegal self-help eviction and can result in the landlord owing the tenant damages.
Under **ORS 90.427** (Senate Bill 608), landlords must have a valid just-cause reason to end a tenancy that has lasted **1 year or more**. Acceptable causes include nonpayment of rent, material lease violations, the landlord moving in, or demolition of the unit. No-cause terminations without a qualifying reason are prohibited after the first year.
Yes. A tenant can stop the process by paying all overdue rent before the notice period ends, curing a lease violation within the cure window, or raising a valid legal defense at the court hearing, such as improper notice or landlord retaliation under **ORS 90.385**.
Revun screens tenants, automates rent reminders, and logs every notice, so fewer tenancies ever reach court.
