ORS § 90 § 90.420
Enforceability of landlord liens; distraint for rent abolished.
Operative Text
(1) A lien or security interest on behalf of the landlord in the tenant’s household goods is not enforceable unless perfected before October 5, 1973. (2) Distraint for rent is abolished.
ORS § 90.420 establishes two related protections concerning a tenant's personal property. First, any lien or security interest that a landlord might claim over a tenant's household goods is unenforceable unless it was legally perfected before October 5, 1973—meaning virtually no such liens can be enforced today. Second, the provision abolishes distraint for rent, which was a historical remedy that allowed landlords to seize a tenant's belongings as a way of collecting unpaid rent.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ORS § 90.420, landlords in Oregon have no legal mechanism to claim or enforce a lien or security interest against a tenant's household goods, nor can they seize a tenant's personal property as a means of collecting unpaid rent. Compliant property operators pursue rent collection through lawful channels such as court proceedings rather than any form of self-help seizure or property claim. Attempting to hold, seize, or assert control over a tenant's belongings as leverage for rent payment falls outside what Oregon law permits under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
ORS § 90.420 provides Oregon tenants with clear protections against a landlord claiming ownership or control over household goods. A landlord generally cannot enforce any lien or security interest against a tenant's personal property, and the old practice of distraint—where a landlord could physically seize belongings for unpaid rent—has been abolished by law. Tenants who believe a landlord has improperly seized or claimed their personal property may consider contacting a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand available remedies.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.