Early Lease Termination Laws in Oregon

In Oregon, victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, bias crime or stalking can be released from a lease on at least 14 days' written notice, members of the state organized militia called to active state service can end a lease, and landlords must make reasonable efforts to re-rent an abandoned unit.

Last checked October 2026. General information, not legal advice.

Domestic violence victims: Yes, 14 days' written notice; Notice needs proof: a valid order of protection, or verification of domestic violence, sexual assault, bias crime or stalking within the prior 90 days.
State military protection: Yes, state active service; Covers organized militia members called into active state service by the Governor for 90 or more consecutive days.
Landlord must re-rent: Yes, by statute; If the landlord fails to use reasonable efforts to re-rent, the rental agreement is deemed terminated by the landlord.

Sources

Last checked October 2026

The rules in Oregon

Can domestic violence or sexual assault victims end a lease early in Oregon?

Yes, 14 days' written notice. Domestic violence victims in Oregon: yes, 14 days' written notice. Notice needs proof: a valid order of protection, or verification of domestic violence, sexual assault, bias crime or stalking within the prior 90 days.

Does Oregon law add early lease termination rights for service members beyond the federal SCRA?

Yes, state active service. State military protection in Oregon: yes, state active service. Covers organized militia members called into active state service by the Governor for 90 or more consecutive days.

Does a landlord in Oregon have to try to re-rent the unit after a tenant leaves early?

Yes, by statute. Landlord must re-rent in Oregon: yes, by statute. If the landlord fails to use reasonable efforts to re-rent, the rental agreement is deemed terminated by the landlord.

Where do the Oregon early lease termination laws come from?

The rules above come from Or. Rev. Stat. 90.453, Or. Rev. Stat. 90.472 and Or. Rev. Stat. 90.410(3). Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

A released victim is not liable for rent or damages after the release date and cannot be charged a fee solely for terminating.

What this means in practice

Read the lease first. Many leases contain an early termination clause, a buyout fee or a sublease option that may be easier to use than a statutory right. A statutory right usually applies even if the lease says nothing about it, and a lease generally cannot waive it.

Statutory early termination rights usually come with conditions. Common ones are written notice to the landlord, a minimum notice period, and proof such as a protective order, police report, military orders or a doctor's statement. Keep copies of everything you send and note the date and method of delivery.

If you leave without a statutory right, you may still owe rent until the unit is re-rented or the lease ends. Where a landlord has a duty to mitigate, it must make reasonable efforts to find a new tenant, and the amount you owe is reduced by rent the landlord collects or reasonably could have collected. Returning keys and documenting the condition of the unit can help limit disputes.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.

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