90.145 Tenant or applicant who conducts repairs, routine maintenance or cleaning services not employee of landlord

(1) A tenant who occupies or an applicant who will occupy a dwelling unit and who conducts repairs, routine maintenance or cleaning services on that dwelling unit in exchange for a reduction in rent pursuant to a written or oral agreement with the landlord is not an employee of the landlord.

(2) A tenant or an applicant described in subsection (1) of this section may not conduct electrical or plumbing installation, maintenance or repair unless properly licensed under ORS 479.510 (Short title) to 479.945 (Restricted energy contractor’s license) or ORS chapter 693. The tenant or applicant is not required to obtain a plumbing contractor license under ORS 447.040 (Plumbing contractor license) to perform work under this section.

(3) Nothing in this section diminishes the obligations of a landlord to maintain the dwelling unit in a habitable condition under ORS 90.320 (Landlord to maintain premises in habitable condition) or 90.730 (Landlord duty to maintain rented space, vacant spaces and common areas in habitable condition) .

(4) Any electrical or plumbing installation, maintenance or repair work performed by a tenant or an applicant under this section must comply with ORS 447.010 (Definitions for ORS 447.010 to 447.156 and 447.992) to 447.156 (Sale of uncertified plumbing products prohibited) and 479.510 (Short title) to 479.945 (Restricted energy contractor’s license) . [1995 c.773 §2; 1999 c.676 §9; 2005 c.758 §6]

Source: Section 90.145 — Tenant or applicant who conducts repairs, routine maintenance or cleaning services not employee of landlord; restrictions , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors090.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).