What To Do if Your Oregon Rental Home Is Destroyed 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? Check out our guide to safety, shelter, food, and support after a disaster.
• 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.

After the disaster, it's a good idea to contact your landlord in writing (by text or email). You should: 

• Tell them about the damage.
• Ask for confirmation that your rental agreement ended on the date of the disaster.
• Ask them to return your deposit and any prepaid rent within 31 days.
• Provide an address for them to mail you your deposits. 

Why this matters: If your home is unlivable, you may not owe any more rent. Getting this in writing can help protect you from unfair charges later. Keep records of every conversation with your landlord. If you talk by phone, send a follow-up written message (by text or email) to confirm what was said. 

If you get rental assistance through a housing voucher (like HUD or Section 8), tell your housing caseworker immediately about the damage to your rental. They can help you keep your voucher. 

Here’s what else you should know:  

• You usually have 60 days to find a new rental and keep your voucher.
• If you need more time to find a rental, ask your caseworker for an extension.
• You can move out of state if you’ve had your voucher for over a year.
• If it’s been less than a year, you’ll need permission to move—but it may still be possible. 

If you have renters insurance, it may help pay for temporary housing and replace lost belongings like furniture or clothes. 

Call your insurance company or start a claim online. Your insurance company will walk you through the claims process, which involves:   

• Providing details about what happened.
• Creating lists or providing photos of damaged property.
• Documenting expenses related to the disaster, like temporary housing or relocation costs.  

Learn more about how to file an insurance claim after a disaster here. 

If it’s safe to do so, gather proof of the damage. This evidence can help with your insurance claim or if your landlord makes unfair claims later. 

• Take photos or video of the damage.
• Make a list of items that were damaged or destroyed.
• Save important documents like your lease, rent receipts, or utility bills.
• Take a photo of any official notices posted on your home.
• Save receipts for disaster-related expenses like temporary housing (including staying in a hotel), extra food expenses, replacement items, etc. 

If you left belongings behind: Ask your landlord or emergency officials if and when it’s safe to return. Never go 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.