ORS § 90 § 90.564
Charge for cable, satellite or Internet.
Operative Text
(1) Notwithstanding ORS 90.568 (4) or 90.572 (3), a landlord may add an additional amount to a utility or service charge billed to the tenant if: (a) The utility or service charge to which the additional amount is added is for cable television, direct satellite or other video subscription services or for Internet access or usage; (b) The additional amount is not more than 10 percent of the utility or service charge billed to the tenant; (c) The total of the utility or service charge and the additional amount is less than the typical periodic cost the tenant would incur if the tenant contracted directly with the provider for the cable television, direct satellite or other video subscription services or for Internet access or usage; (d) The written rental agreement providing for the utility or service charge describes the additional amount separately and distinctly from the utility or service charge; and (e) Any billing or notice from the landlord regarding the utility or service charge lists the additional amount separately and distinctly from the utility or service charge. (2) A landlord may not require a tenant to agree to the amendment of an existing rental agreement, and may not terminate a tenant for refusing to agree to the amendment of a rental agreement, if the amendment would obligate the tenant to pay an additional amount for cable television, direct satellite or other video subscription services or for Internet access or usage as provided under subsection (1) of this section.
Oregon Revised Statutes § 90.564 permits landlords to add a markup of up to 10 percent on top of charges for cable television, satellite, other video subscription services, or Internet access that are billed through the landlord, provided the combined total still comes in below what the tenant would pay by contracting directly with the provider. The markup must be disclosed separately and distinctly in both the written rental agreement and any subsequent billing or notice. Importantly, the law also prohibits landlords from requiring existing tenants to accept a new amendment that introduces this type of markup, and from terminating a tenancy because a tenant refuses such an amendment.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators who bill tenants for cable, satellite, video subscription, or Internet services under ORS § 90.564 must keep any markup at or below 10 percent of the underlying charge and must verify that the combined total remains below the tenant's direct-contract cost with the provider. Both the rental agreement and every billing statement must itemize the markup as a line item separate from the base service charge — bundling or obscuring it in a single figure does not satisfy the statute. Landlords should also be aware that they cannot condition a tenancy or threaten termination to pressure an existing tenant into agreeing to a lease amendment that introduces this type of additional charge.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under ORS § 90.564, tenants have the right to see any landlord markup on cable, satellite, video, or Internet charges listed as a distinct, separate item in both the lease and any bill — a landlord cannot bury it in a combined figure. If a landlord's markup exceeds 10 percent, or if the combined charge equals or exceeds what the tenant could pay by going directly to the provider, the charge does not comply with this provision. Tenants also have an explicit protection against being required to sign a lease amendment adding this type of charge or being threatened with eviction for refusing such an amendment; tenants who believe these rights have been violated may consider contacting a local tenant-rights organization or Oregon's state housing resources for guidance on available options.
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.
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