Illegal Evictions

Landlords that lock out renters, take off their doors, remove the renter’s property, or turn off utilities are breaking the law! 

You can: 

1. Tell the landlord they are breaking the law. Ask them to fix the situation, and let you back into your home. (You can use this sample letter.)

2. If this doesn’t work, try to get in through a window or another door. Be careful when doing this, and be sure that you have proof that you live there.

3. If steps one and two don't work, you can call the police. 

4. If the police won't help you, talk to a lawyer. A lawyer may be able to help you get back in by talking to your landlord and explaining the law. If that doesn't work, a lawyer can start a lawsuit against your landlord to demand they let you back in. You can search for free and low-cost lawyers in Oregon using our Referral Database. 

Tip for renters in hotels or motels: Keep your key if you get locked out. If you don't, you may be giving up your rights.

No. Even if you owe back rent, it is illegal for your landlord to:

• Physically remove you or your property from the unit, 
• Change your locks, or
• Turn off your utilities. 

Your landlord must go to court to get you to move out. 

The law still protects you if the hotel or motel is your home. To qualify, you must:

1. Have lived in the same room for more than 30 days, and 
2. Have no other home.

If you meet these requirements, the hotel owner or manager must go to court before they can force you to move out.

Tip for renters in hotels or motels: Keep your key if you get locked out. If you don't, you may be giving up your rights.

Yes. You can send a letter to your landlord saying you are ending your rental agreement or lease because they have locked you out or turned off your utilities. 

Important: Never tell your landlord that you are ending the rental agreement unless you are absolutely sure that you want to leave. You may not be able to take it back.

If you end your rental agreement, do not pay any more rent. 

Yes. You have the right to sue them for money if they don't follow the law. You can ask a court to make your landlord pay you the larger of these two amounts:

• Two months’ rent, or 
• The money you lost because you were illegally locked out or forced out of your home. 

If your landlord entered your home without giving you 24-hours’ notice (like, to change the locks), you can sue your landlord for one month’s rent for the unlawful entry. 

If you want to sue your landlord, talk to a lawyer. You can search for free and low-cost lawyers in Oregon using our Referral Database. 

There are special rules for drug-and-alcohol-free housing. For a building to qualify as drug-and alcohol-free housing, it must do all of the following:

1. One renter in each unit must be a recovering alcoholic or addict;
2. The recovering renter must be active in an addiction recovery program, such as AA or NA;
3. The landlord must be a nonprofit corporation or a housing authority;
4. The landlord must keep a drug- and alcohol-free environment;
5. The landlord must supply several forms of support for the renters’ recovery; and
6. There is a written rental agreement that says that the housing is alcohol- and drug-free, and the renters in recovery: 
   1. Must take part in a recovery program, 
   2. Must do drug testing, and 
   3. Can be evicted for not following these rules.

If you are kicked out of drug-and-alcohol-free housing, talk to a lawyer about your case. Your rights depend on the type of program, the program agreement, and how long you lived there. You can find free- and low-cost lawyers using our Referral Database. If you have been illegally forced out of drug-and-alcohol-free housing, a lawyer can help you get back into your housing. 

Talk to a lawyer. You can search for free and low-cost lawyers in Oregon using our Referral Database.