No Cause Notices

In most cases, your landlord can only give you a no cause notice if you've been renting for less than one year and you didn't sign a year-long lease.

A no cause termination notice might be called any of these things:

• "End of tenancy notice,"
• "No cause termination notice,"
• "Move-out notice,"
• "30-day termination notice," or
• Something else.

There are no rules for what your landlord must call this notice. A no cause notice could even just be a letter from your landlord.

You probably got a no cause notice if your landlord didn't give any reasons why they want you to move out.

But if your landlord's notice says you did something wrong, you probably got a for cause notice. Or, if your landlord asks you to move for another reason, you may have gotten a landlord cause notice.

Your landlord can only give you a no cause notice if:

• Anyone on your rental agreement has lived there for less than one year (365 days). The landlord must give you a 30-day notice.
  • Exception: If you rent in Portland or Milwaukie, your landlord must give you a 90-day notice.
  • At least one year (365 days): the landlord must give you a 60-day notice.
  • Less than one year (365 days): the landlord must give you a 30-day notice.

  Exceptions: Some renters cannot get no cause notices, even if they have been in their rental for less than one year, including:

  • Homeowners that rent a space in a mobile home park or marina, and
  • Renters living in public housing units (government-owned housing).
  Are all no cause notices legal?

  No. Even if your landlord can ask you to move for no reason, your landlord must follow other rules when they give you a no cause notice:

  1. The notice must:
     1. Give you at least 30 day to move out (or 33 days if the notice was only served on you by mail);
     2. List the exact date you must move out by (for example, January 1, 2023); and
     3. Provide information about services for veterans.
     • By personally handing it to you;
     • By mailing it to you by regular, first-class mail (not certified mail);
     • By posting it on your door and mailing it to you by regular, first-class mail, but only if your rental agreement says they can give notice in this way; or
     • By emailing it to you and mailing it to you by regular, first-class mail, but only if signed a separate agreement after January 1, 2024, that says they can give notice by email.

     If your landlord doesn't follow these rules, their notice isn't legal. You can use an incorrect notice to stop an eviction based on that notice.

     What if I don't move out by the date in the notice?

     Your landlord can file an eviction case against you if you do not move out by the date on their notice.

     If your landlord's notice does not follow all the rules for no cause notices, you may have a defense in the eviction court case. A defense is a legal reason to stop an eviction. Learn more about eviction cases here.

     Does my landlord have to help with my moving expenses?

     Maybe. If your landlord owns five or more rental units, they must include a check with the notice. The check must be for one month’s rent.

     For Portland Renters: Your landlord may have to give you more than one month’s rent to help with moving costs. Learn more about the rules for Portland renters here.

     Eugene Renters: Your landlord may have to pay two months' rent if they give you a no cause notice. Learn more about the rules for Eugene renters here.

     What if I have lived in my rental home for at least one year and I get a no cause notice?

     If your landlord gave you a no cause notice after you've lived in your rental for one year, the notice is likely illegal.

     Talk to your landlord and ask them to take back the notice. If your landlord doesn't take back the notice, talk to a lawyer if you want to fight the eviction.

     What if my landlord gives me a no cause notice after I ask for repairs or stand up for my rights?

     Retaliation is when your landlord tries to punish you because you stood up for your rights. Retaliation is illegal. If your landlord starts an eviction case, you may have a defense in the eviction case if your landlord retaliates against you.

     If your landlord is trying to evict you for a different reason that may be legal.