Oregon Rental Application Overview
Oregon is one of the most tenant-protective states for rental applications. The screening charge is capped at $10, criminal history screening is heavily restricted, source of income discrimination is prohibited, and the state has very broad fair housing protections.
Oregon Revised Statutes 90.295 limits screening charges to the actual cost of screening or $10, whichever is less. This is one of the lowest caps in the nation. Landlords must provide applicants with a receipt and cannot charge a fee if no unit is available. If an applicant provides a screening report from a consumer reporting agency that is less than 30 days old, the landlord must accept it and reduce the screening charge accordingly.
$10 max screening ch
Max application fee
Yes, with written co
Credit check
Significant restrict
Criminal bg check
2-3x monthly rent
Income requirement
Oregon Tenant Screening Laws
Application Fee Rules
Oregon Revised Statutes 90.295 limits screening charges to the actual cost of screening or $10, whichever is less. This is one of the lowest caps in the nation. Landlords must provide applicants with a receipt and cannot charge a fee if no unit is available. If an applicant provides a screening report from a consumer reporting agency that is less than 30 days old, the landlord must accept it and reduce the screening charge accordingly.
Criminal Background Check Rules
Oregon enacted SB 291 (effective 2024), one of the nation's strongest ban-the-box laws for housing. Landlords cannot inquire about criminal history on the initial application, cannot consider arrests without conviction, and must evaluate criminal history through an individualized assessment considering the nature of the crime, time elapsed, and evidence of rehabilitation. Certain offenses have limited lookback periods, and landlords must provide written notice and an opportunity to respond before denying based on criminal history.
Credit Check Requirements
Oregon landlords can run credit checks with applicant consent, but the total screening charge (including credit check) cannot exceed $10 or actual cost. Landlords must accept portable screening reports. Adverse action notices are required under the FCRA.
Fair Housing Protections
Oregon's Fair Housing Law adds sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, source of income, and domestic violence victim status to the list of protected classes. The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) enforces these protections.
Source of Income Protection
Oregon prohibits discrimination based on source of income. Landlords cannot reject applicants solely because their income comes from Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), Social Security, disability benefits, child support, alimony, or other lawful income sources. Violations can result in fair housing complaints and penalties.
Oregon Screening Criteria
Oregon landlords typically evaluate the following criteria when reviewing rental applications. All screening must comply with federal and Oregon state fair housing laws.
- Credit Score: Most Oregon landlords look for a credit score of 620 or higher, though thresholds vary by property and market
- Income: Gross monthly income of at least 2-3x monthly rent is the standard requirement
- Rental History: Positive references from previous landlords, no evictions, and a record of on-time rent payments
- Employment Verification: Stable employment or verifiable income sufficient to cover rent and living expenses
- Background Check: Subject to Oregon's restrictions on criminal history screening
How to Fill Out a Oregon Rental Application
Follow these steps to properly complete your Oregon rental application. Our template includes all sections required for Oregon-compliant tenant screening.
Provide Personal Information
Enter your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, phone number, email, and current address. Your SSN is required for the credit check and will be handled securely per Oregon data protection requirements.
Detail Your Rental History
List your current and previous addresses for the past 2-3 years, including landlord names and contact information, monthly rent, dates of tenancy, and reason for leaving. Oregon landlords will contact your previous landlords to verify this information.
Enter Employment and Income Details
Provide your employer's name, address, your position, length of employment, and gross monthly income. Include all income sources. Most Oregon landlords require income of at least 2-3x monthly rent.
Add References
Include 2-3 personal or professional references with their names, phone numbers, and your relationship. Let them know they may be contacted. Strong references can strengthen your application, especially if you have limited rental history.
Sign Authorization Forms
Review and sign the credit check authorization, background check consent, and FCRA disclosure. These are required by federal law before the landlord can access your consumer reports. The authorization is specific to this application and cannot be used for other purposes.
Submit with Supporting Documents
Attach copies of your photo ID, recent pay stubs, and any other requested documentation. Pay the application fee if required, keeping in mind Oregon's fee regulations.
Oregon Rental Application Fees & Costs
Here's a breakdown of typical rental application costs in Oregon. Fees vary by landlord and screening service used.
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | Capped at $10 |
| Credit Check | Included in $10 cap |
| Background Check | Included in $10 cap |
| Refundable? | Typically non-refundable |
Sample Oregon Rental Application
Below is a preview of our Oregon-specific rental application. Your customized document will include all fields and disclosures required under Oregon law.
STATE OF OREGON
RENTAL APPLICATION
Tenant Screening Form
APPLICANT INFORMATION
Name: [Legal Name]
Date of Birth: [DOB] SSN: [XXX-XX-XXXX]
Phone: [Phone] Email: [Email]
RENTAL HISTORY
Current Address: [Oregon Address]
Landlord: [Name] Rent: $[Amount]
EMPLOYMENT & INCOME
Employer: [Company]
Monthly Income: $[Amount]
AUTHORIZATION
I authorize the landlord to obtain my credit report, conduct a background check, and verify the information provided in this application in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and Oregon state law...
Oregon Rental Application FAQ
Answers to common questions about rental applications, tenant screening, and landlord requirements in Oregon.
Official Oregon Resources
Use these official resources to learn more about Oregon tenant screening laws, fair housing requirements, and your rights as a landlord or tenant.
Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI)
Fair housing enforcement and civil rights
Oregon State Bar — Tenant Rights
Tenant rights information and legal resources
HUD Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity
Federal fair housing laws, complaints, and guidance
FTC Fair Credit Reporting Act
Federal credit reporting rights for tenants
Other Oregon Documents
Need other rental and lease documents for Oregon? We offer state-specific templates for every type of landlord-tenant document.
Create your Oregon Rental Application in under 5 minutes.
Answer a few questions and download a Oregon-compliant document, ready for the state agency.