General information, not legal advice. Landlord-tenant rules change, and cities and counties can add their own. Check the current statute and local ordinances, and talk to a licensed attorney before you act.
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The short version
- Title by adverse possession requires ten years of actual, open, exclusive, hostile and continuous possession.
- Holding under a written conveyance counts as hostile possession, but the period stays ten years, and the claimant must also have honestly and reasonably believed they owned the land and prove every element by clear and convincing evidence.
- Owners generally remove people with no right to stay through a forcible entry and detainer case; when a tenant has moved out and left an unauthorized occupant behind, the landlord can give 24 hours of written notice first.
Oregon requires ten years of possession for adverse possession, plus an honest and reasonable belief of ownership proved by clear and convincing evidence. That makes a squatter's claim to title very hard to win.
Oregon squatters rights at a glance
| Rule | Oregon | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Adverse possession period | Title by adverse possession requires ten years of actual, open, exclusive, hostile and continuous possession. | ORS 105.620 |
| Claim under a document (color of title) | Holding under a written conveyance counts as hostile possession, but the period stays ten years, and the claimant must also have honestly and reasonably believed they owned the land and prove every element by clear and convincing evidence. | ORS 105.620 |
| How owners remove occupants | Owners generally remove people with no right to stay through a forcible entry and detainer case; when a tenant has moved out and left an unauthorized occupant behind, the landlord can give 24 hours of written notice first. | ORS 90.403 and ORS 105.100 to 105.168 |
Adverse possession
An occupant can gain title only after a long period of open, continuous possession without the owner’s permission, and only by meeting every condition the law sets.
Adverse possession period. Title by adverse possession requires ten years of actual, open, exclusive, hostile and continuous possession. (ORS 105.620)
Claim under a document (color of title). Holding under a written conveyance counts as hostile possession, but the period stays ten years, and the claimant must also have honestly and reasonably believed they owned the land and prove every element by clear and convincing evidence. (ORS 105.620)
Removing an unauthorized occupant
How owners remove occupants. Owners generally remove people with no right to stay through a forcible entry and detainer case; when a tenant has moved out and left an unauthorized occupant behind, the landlord can give 24 hours of written notice first. (ORS 90.403 and ORS 105.100 to 105.168)
Where the case is filed. Forcible entry and detainer cases are filed in the circuit court for the county where the rental is located. (ORS 105.100 to 105.168)
Why force backfires
Removing an occupant by force can expose an owner to liability, especially if the occupant claims to be a tenant.
Self-help eviction. A landlord may not lock a tenant out, remove them or cut off heat, water, electricity or other essential services to force a move out, and the tenant can recover damages and regain possession. (ORS 90.375)
Protecting a vacant property
Visit vacant properties on a schedule, keep them locked and lit, post no trespassing signs where allowed, and act quickly when someone moves in. Do not accept money from an occupant, because rent can look like a tenancy.
Mistakes to avoid
- Waiting months to act after someone moves in.
- Changing locks or removing belongings yourself.
- Accepting rent or utility payments from the occupant.
- Leaving a vacant property unchecked for long stretches.
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General information, not legal advice.
Verify current law
We last checked these Oregon rules on . Laws change and cities can add their own, so confirm the current text before you rely on it, and talk to a Oregon attorney about your situation.
Laws named on this page
- ORS 105.620
- ORS 90.403 and ORS 105.100 to 105.168
- ORS 105.100 to 105.168
- ORS 90.375
Official sources
Oregon forms for this topic
Letters and checklists for this topic
Where landlords trip up.
How long does adverse possession take in Oregon?
Title by adverse possession requires ten years of actual, open, exclusive, hostile and continuous possession. Source: ORS 105.620.
How does an owner remove a squatter in Oregon?
Owners generally remove people with no right to stay through a forcible entry and detainer case; when a tenant has moved out and left an unauthorized occupant behind, the landlord can give 24 hours of written notice first. Source: ORS 90.403 and ORS 105.100 to 105.168.