An Oregon month-to-month rental agreement is a contract (not necessarily in writing) which allows a tenant to rent property from a landlord, for one month at a time, in exchange for a fee (“rent”). The rental renews monthly, until either party gives proper notice to end it.
For information about fixed-term leases in Oregon (i.e., a term of one year or more), click here .In Oregon, a landlord and tenant create a month-to-month lease by agreeing to rent a property according to acceptable terms. Written rental agreements are clearer and legally stronger, but oral leases are legal in a month-to-month context. Parties under a month-to-month lease enjoy full rights under Oregon landlord-tenant law. The tenant must use the property in a responsible way and pay rent on time. The landlord must keep essential features of the property in habitable condition, and protect the tenant’s quiet enjoyment of the lease. The main difference between a month-to-month lease and a fixed-term lease is that month-to-month leases can be terminated (with proper notice) by either party for any reason without penalty. Landlords also can usually modify terms from one month to the next, again with proper notice.
Oregon lets both the landlord or tenant terminate a month-to-month lease with at least 30 days of advance notice within the first year of tenancy.
Within that first year, any reason that isn’t landlord retaliation is a legal and valid grounds for ending a month-to-month lease. After that, the landlord can only terminate for good cause, with different levels of advance notice required depending on the specifics of tenant misconduct. The tenant can still terminate with 30 days of notice for most reasons. [1]
Oregon requires written notice to end a month-to-month lease.
Oregon requires at least 90 days of advance notice before a rental increase, delivered in writing. Oregon landlords may only increase rent after the first year of tenancy. [2]
Oregon tenants may face eviction for violating a month-to-month lease or remaining on the property after the notice period allowed by a valid termination. Evictions in Oregon typically take two to eight weeks.
For more information on the eviction process in Oregon, click here .
(a) At any time during the tenancy, the tenant may terminate the tenancy by giving the landlord notice in writing not less than 30 days prior to the date designated in the notice for the termination of the tenancy.
(b) At any time during the first year of occupancy, the landlord may terminate the tenancy by giving the tenant notice in writing not less than 30 days prior to the date designated in the notice for the termination of the tenancy.
(c) Except as provided in subsection (8) of this section, at any time after the first year of occupancy, the landlord may terminate the tenancy only:
(A) For a tenant cause and with notice in writing as specified in ORS 86.782 (Sale of property) (6)(c), 90.380 (Effect of rental of dwelling in violation of building or housing codes) (5), 90.392 (Termination of tenancy for cause), 90.394 (Termination of tenancy for failure to pay rent), 90.396 (Acts or omissions justifying termination 24 hours after notice), 90.398 (Termination of tenancy for drug or alcohol violations), 90.405 (Effect of tenant keeping unpermitted pet), 90.440 (Termination of tenancy in group recovery home) or 90.445 (Termination of tenant committing criminal act of physical violence); or
(B) For a qualifying landlord reason for termination and with notice in writing as described in subsections (5) and (6) of this section [relating to conversion of the property to a use unsuitable for rental].
During any tenancy other than week-to-week, the landlord may not increase the rent:
(a) During the first year after the tenancy begins.
(b) At any time after the first year of the tenancy without giving the tenant written notice at least 90 days prior to the effective date of the rent increase.
(c) During any 12-month period, in an amount greater than seven percent plus the consumer price index above the existing rent except as permitted under subsection (7) of this section.
How does a month-to-month lease work in Oregon? How does a month-to-month lease work in Oregon? An Oregon month-to-month lease means that a tenant resides in the rental unit for one month. At the end of that month, the lease will either be renewed or terminated by the landlord or tenant with prior written notice. Read more » How many days’ notice is required to terminate a month-to-month lease in Oregon? How many days’ notice is required to terminate a month-to-month lease in Oregon? In Oregon, at least 30 days’ prior written notice is required to terminate a month-to-month lease; however, this notice may be given by either the landlord or the tenant at any point during the tenancy for any reason. Read more » How do I terminate a month-to-month lease in Oregon? How do I terminate a month-to-month lease in Oregon? An Oregon month-to-month lease is terminated by providing the landlord or the tenant with at least 30 days’ prior written notice at any point during the tenancy. This notice may be given for any reason. Read more »
