Oregon Renters' Handbook - OSPIRG

Chapter 5: Being A Renterof their guests, and parentsfor the actions of minors(30.765); (90.325(9))) once every 6 months andreplace batteries as needed.(479.275, 90.325(6)) andnot remove or tamper with aproperly functioning smokealarm. (90.325(8))Many communities have localcodes restricting noise that canbe heard outside the dwelling tocertain hours. The rental agreementmay also have additionalrules and regulations. Tenantsshould carefully read throughthe agreement before signing.HarassmentTenants have a right to live in ahome that is free from harassment.(90.375) The landlordmay not unlawfully remove orexclude the tenant from therental, or willfully diminishservices such as heat, runningwater, electricity or other essentialservices. The landlord alsomust not seriously attempt orthreaten to do the above prohibitedactions.The tenant may get alegal order to recover possession ofthe unit or may end the rentalagreement and recover up to 2months’ rent or twice the actualdamages, whichever is greater. This isextremely difficult to prove andrequires very good documentation.Notice of Tenant’s AbsenceThe rental agreement mayrequire the tenant to give actualnotice to the landlord of anyexpected absence of more than7 days. Notice should be givenno later than the first day of theabsence.The purpose of this requirementis to insure the maintenance ofany systems that need regularattention (e.g., heat), to protectagainst theft, and to guaranteethat the landlord will not thinkthe unit has been abandoned.(90.340)34Oregon Renters’ Handbook