Holiday Tenant Requests in Oregon: Balancing Cheer with Clear Boundaries

As the holiday season kicks into full gear here in the Portland metro area and across Oregon, many landlords start hearing from tenants about special requests. Extra guests coming to town, strings of lights going up, maybe a Christmas tree in the living room or a menorah on the windowsill—these are all normal parts of the season. But as landlords and property managers, we also have to protect our investments, stay compliant with Oregon law, and keep things fair for everyone.

Safe and festive holiday decorations: A cozy rental living room with a responsibly decorated Christmas tree and an exterior display using removable lights that add cheer without risking damage.

I’ve managed properties and worked with hundreds of landlords over the years, and I can tell you that most holiday tenant requests in Oregon are reasonable and easy to accommodate if you have clear policies in place upfront. The key is communication: be cheerful and flexible where you can, but firm on rules that prevent damage, safety issues, or violations of the lease.

Here are some of the most common holiday tenant requests in Oregon and practical ways to handle them:

1. Holiday Decorations – Inside the Unit Tenants have the right to celebrate the season, and Oregon law doesn’t prohibit reasonable decorations. However, you can (and should) require that nothing causes permanent damage.

• Encourage command hooks, removable tape, or tension rods instead of nails or screws.

• Real trees are a frequent flashpoint—water spills and fire risk are real concerns. Many landlords simply prohibit live trees or require them to be in a waterproof container and removed promptly after the holidays. Even though the "Santa" in me cringes at the thought of not having a beautiful natural tree... :(

• Overloading electrical outlets with light strings is a fire hazard; remind tenants to use UL-listed lights and not to daisy-chain too many extension cords.

  
  

2. Exterior and Common-Area Decorations Single-family rentals give tenants more freedom, but remind them that anything attached to the building must be removable without damage and taken down by a set date (usually early January). In multi-family properties, common areas are generally off-limits unless you approve community decorations yourself. This keeps things consistent and avoids fair housing complaints.

Practical holiday examples for Oregon landlords – tasteful indoor decorations, safe removable exterior lights, and clear landlord-tenant communication to keep the season cheerful and damage-free.

3. Extra Guests and Holiday Gatherings Family visiting for a week or two is usually fine—Oregon law allows reasonable overnight guests. What’s not fine is turning the rental into an unofficial short-term stay or exceeding occupancy limits.

• Ask tenants to let you know if guests will be staying longer than 10–14 days (your lease should define this).

• Remind everyone about quiet enjoyment rules and local noise ordinances. A friendly pre-holiday reminder about parking and trash goes a long way toward preventing neighbor complaints.

  
  

4. Maintenance and Entry Requests Around the Holidays Tenants often ask to postpone non-emergency repairs or inspections until after the holidays. That’s usually reasonable—nobody wants a plumber showing up on Christmas Eve.

• Be flexible with routine maintenance when possible.

• Emergencies (heat outages, leaks, etc.) still require immediate access—make sure tenants know your 24-hour emergency line.

• If you manage in areas that get real winter weather, send a quick winterization reminder (hose bibs covered, pipes dripping if needed).

  
  

5. Fair Housing Considerations Holiday decorations can include religious symbols. Under both federal Fair Housing rules and Oregon law, you must treat all protected classes the same. If you allow a Christmas tree or outdoor lights, you generally need to allow a menorah, Kwanzaa decorations, or other religious displays of similar size and impact.

The best way to handle holiday tenant requests in Oregon is proactive communication. A short, friendly email or printed letter in early December outlining your policies prevents most problems. Something like: “We’re happy to see you enjoy the season! Here are a few quick guidelines to keep everyone safe and the property in great shape…”

When you set expectations early and in writing, tenants appreciate the clarity, and you protect yourself and your property. Most tenants want to be good neighbors—they just need gentle reminders.

Wishing you a peaceful, profitable, and low-stress holiday season!

Christian Bryant President, IRC Real Estate & Property Management Active Member & Supporter, Portland Area Rental Owners Association (PAROA)

Sources:

1. Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 90 — Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (official state law covering use/occupancy rules, guest policies, and landlord responsibilities)https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors090.html

2. ORS 90.262 — Use and occupancy rules and regulations (allows landlords to set reasonable rules for decorations and property use) https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_90.262

3. Fair Housing Council of Oregon (FHCO) — Resources on fair housing, including religious accommodations and non-discrimination in rentals https://fhco.org/renters/

4. Oregon Judicial Department — Landlord-Tenant Self-Help Center (general guidance on tenant rights and landlord obligations) https://www.courts.oregon.gov/help/pages/landlord-tenant.aspx

5. Rental Housing Journal — Article on Managing Holiday Decor with Fair Housing in Mind (practical tips for landlords on decorations and compliance) https://rentalhousingjournal.com/managing-holiday-decor-with-fair-housing-in-mind/