Fayetteville, NC asked in Landlord - Tenant for Oregon

Q: Can a former landlord send final bill thru email or does it have to be mailed?

Is it legal to send final accounting bill thru email? Saying where security deposit was used for and additional charges?

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1 Lawyer Answer
Gregory L Abbott
Gregory L Abbott
Answered
  • Landlord Tenant Lawyer
  • Portland, OR
  • Licensed in Oregon

A: In Oregon, a landlord MUST send either a refund or accounting for why they are keeping part or all of a tenant's security deposit in writing within 31 days of having possession restored to them. They are free to send it in any other manner they wish so long as it is in addition to, not in place of, written notice. It has to be served either by directly handing the notice to the ex-tenant or by mailing it regular first class mail to the tenant's last known (to the landlord) mailing address. Anything else likely entitles the tenant to recover twice the amount not properly accounted for, along with their court costs and attorney's fees. So email plus regular mail is fine; email alone is the same as never sending to the tenant at all.

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