Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 90 § 90.297 — unless, before accepting the deposit, the landlord discloses to the

unless, before accepting the deposit, the landlord discloses to the applicant as provided by subsection (3)(c) of this section that the dwelling unit has been determined to be unlawful to occupy. (b) If a landlord knowingly violates paragraph (a) of this subsection or fails to correct the conditions leading to the agency’s determination before the date a new tenancy is to begin as provided by the agreement to secure the execution of a rental agreement, an applicant may terminate the agreement to secure the execution of the rental agreement by giving the landlord actual notice of the termination and the reason for termination. As a result of a termination, the applicant may recover from the landlord an amount equal to twice the deposit. If an applicant recovers damages for a violation pursuant to this paragraph, the applicant may not recover any amounts under ORS 90.297. (5) If, after a landlord and a tenant have entered into a tenancy, a governmental agency posts a dwelling unit as unsafe and unlawful to occupy due to the existence of conditions that violate state or local law, that materially affect health or safety and that: (a) Were not caused by the tenant, the tenant may immediately terminate the tenancy by giving the landlord actual notice of the termination and the reason for the termination; or (b) Were not caused by the landlord or by the landlord’s failure to maintain the dwelling, the landlord may terminate the tenancy by giving the tenant 24 hours’ written notice of the termination and the reason for the termination, after which the landlord may take possession in the manner provided in ORS 105.100 to 105.168. (6) If the tenancy is terminated, as a result of conditions as described in subsections (2), (4) and (5) of this section, within 14 days of the notice of termination the landlord shall return to the applicant or tenant: (a) All of the deposit to secure the execution of a rental agreement, security deposit or prepaid rent owed to the applicant under this section or to the tenant under ORS 90.300; and (b) All rent prepaid for the month in which the termination occurs, prorated, if applicable, to the date of termination or the date the tenant vacates the premises, whichever is later. (7) If conditions at premises that existed at the outset of the tenancy and that were not caused by the tenant pose an imminent and serious threat to the health or safety of occupants of the premises within six months from the beginning of the tenancy, the tenant may immediately terminate the rental agreement by giving the landlord actual notice of the termination and the reason for the termination. In addition, if the landlord knew or should have reasonably known of the existence of the conditions, the tenant may recover either two months’ periodic rent or twice the actual damages sustained by the tenant as a result of the violation, whichever is greater. The tenant need not terminate the rental agreement to recover damages under this section. Within four days of the tenant’s notice of termination, the landlord shall return to the tenant: (a) All of the security deposit or prepaid rent owed to the tenant under ORS 90.300; and (b) All rent prepaid for the month in which the termination occurs, prorated to the date of termination or the date the tenant vacates the premises, whichever is later. (8)(a) A landlord shall return the money due the applicant or tenant under subsections (6) and (7) of this section either by making the money available to the applicant or tenant at the landlord’s customary place of business or by mailing the money by first class mail to the applicant or tenant. (b) The applicant or tenant has the option of choosing the method for return of any money due under this section. If the applicant or tenant fails to choose one of these methods at the time of giving the notice of termination, the landlord shall use the mail method, addressed to the last-known address of the applicant or tenant and mailed within the relevant four-day or 14-day period following the applicant’s or tenant’s notice. (9) If the landlord fails to comply with subsection (8) of this section, the applicant or tenant may recover the money due in an amount equal to twice the amount due. [Formerly 91.817; 1993 c.369 §11; 1995 c.559 §24; 2001 c.596 §32]