The most important source of information about the rights and responsibilities of residential landlords and tenants is the written lease agreement. Some landlords prefer oral agreements, but it is more common for them to require the tenant's signature on a written lease—and a written lease protects the tenant more than an oral agreement. Be sure to read the lease carefully before you sign it.

If a tenant wants to change part of the lease, the tenant should discuss it with the landlord. If the landlord agrees, the landlord and tenant should decide how they want to word the change and then write it into the agreement. Both the tenant and the landlord should then initial the change. For example, many standard leases prohibit pets, but the landlord may be willing to accept a pet if the tenant puts down extra money as security (a pet deposit) to protect against any damage the pet might do.

A state’s landlord-tenant laws may provide additional rights and responsibilities and further define the rights and responsibilities identified in the lease agreement. These laws vary from state to state and are usually located in a state’s statutes.

In Oregon, the written lease agreement is a crucial document that outlines the rights and responsibilities of both residential landlords and tenants. While oral agreements are legally binding, a written lease provides clearer protection and is typically required by landlords. Tenants should thoroughly review the lease before signing and negotiate any desired changes with the landlord. Amendments to the lease should be written into the document and initialed by both parties to be valid. For instance, if a tenant wishes to keep a pet despite a no-pet clause, they can negotiate a pet deposit as additional security, which should be documented in the lease. Oregon's landlord-tenant laws supplement the lease agreement, providing additional rights and responsibilities. These laws are part of the state's statutes and can override or elaborate on the terms of the lease agreement. It's important for both landlords and tenants to be familiar with these statutes to fully understand their legal standing.