What To Do if Your Oregon Rental Home Is Damaged by a Disaster

Your safety comes first. If there’s fire, flooding, or major damage, leave your home immediately! 

Call 911 if there’s an emergency. Do not return until emergency officials—like firefighters or a building inspector—say it’s safe. 

• Need urgent help? Visit our disaster recovery resources page for support with temporary housing, food, and other basic needs.
• Mental health support: Disasters can affect your mental health. If you feel anxious or overwhelmed, visit 211info.org or call 211 to find local support. 

Let your landlord know about the damage as soon as possible. Contact them by text or email so you have a record. 

Include: 

• A short description of the damage.
• Photos or video (if it’s safe to take them).
• Whether you’re still living in your rental or have had to move out. 

Oregon law protects renters, even after a disaster. You still have the right to a safe and livable home.  

Here’s what that means for you: 

• Your landlord must make repairs in a reasonable amount of time.
• You may be able to pay less rent or end your lease if repairs aren't made.
• Your landlord can’t evict you for reporting damage or asking for repairs.
• You may be able to sue your landlord if they break the law. 

Read ORS Chapter 90 (Oregon’s Residential Landlord and Tenant Act), especially ORS 90.320, 90.360, 90.365, and 90.368, to learn more about your rights when your landlord won't make repairs. 

Send your landlord a clear message by text or email about what needs to be fixed.  

For example: "Water is leaking through the ceiling, and the heat isn’t working. Please let me know when this will be repaired." 

If the damage makes your home unsafe—like no heat, broken windows, or flooding—your landlord should act quickly. Most urgent repairs must be made within a few days. Less urgent repairs may take longer.  

Need help asking for repairs? Our step-by-step repair guide provides sample letters and expert guidance on how to get your landlord to make repairs and what to do if they won’t.   

If you have renters insurance, it may help pay for: 

• Temporary housing.
• Damaged belongings (furniture, clothes, electronics).
• Some moving or relocation costs. 

To file a claim: 

• Contact your insurance company or file online.
• Describe what happened.
• Take photos and make a list of damaged items.
• Save receipts of extra costs related to the damage, including temporary housing costs. 

Learn more in our guide to navigating insurance claims after a disaster. 

Keep a record of what happened. This will help if you need to go to court, challenge an insurance decision, or negotiate with your landlord later. 

Make sure to: 

• Take photos or video of the damage.
• Make a list of items that were damaged or destroyed.
• Save texts or emails to and from your landlord.
• Track any repairs made.
• Write down where you stayed (and for how long) if you had to leave.
• Take a photo of any notices posted on your door.
• Save receipts for disaster-related expenses like temporary housing, extra food costs, or replacement items. 

If you left items behind: Ask your landlord when it’s safe to retrieve them. Don’t go back inside if the building is marked unsafe. 

If you’re having trouble paying for temporary housing, food, or replacing lost items, you may qualify for help, even if you have insurance. 

Help may come from: 

• Federal disaster relief.
• State or local emergency aid.
• Nonprofit or community groups. 

Visit this page to learn more about financial aid for disaster survivors.

Disasters can be traumatic. It's common to feel scared, tired, or overwhelmed. There is help:  

• 211 info: Oregon's statewide referral service. You can call this number to find local help, such as food pantries, shelters, legal services, counseling, and other support. 
• David Romprey Oregon Warmline: This 24-hour peer hotline provides support in English and Spanish. Call 1-800-698-2392 or visit ccswebsite.org/warmline/ for more details. 
• Disaster-related legal help: Contact Oregon's Lawyer Referral Service or your local legal aid office. You may qualify for free help with disaster-related legal issues.  

Don't wait to ask for support. You're not alone. There are people and organizations in Oregon who can help. Start with the steps above, ask for support when needed, and take things one day at a time.