Wheeler County, Oregon: Where to File a Security Deposit Claim and What It Costs
Listed court is Wheeler County Circuit Court - Small Claims in Fossil. Check venue on the court's official page or with the clerk. Filing fee: set by the court; see its fee table. Claims up to $10,000. Oregon return time: 31 calendar days or another period by condition. ACS two-bedroom rent: $779. Enter your dates below and send the dated letter first.
| Court listed | Wheeler County Circuit Court - Small Claims |
|---|---|
| City | Fossil |
| Address | 701 Adams St., Fossil, OR 97830 |
| Phone | 541-763-2541 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday; 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. |
| Statewide filing fee | Current court fee schedule |
| Small claims limit | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) |
| State deposit return deadline |
|
| Time limit to sue | 6 years |
| Deposit statute | ORS 90.300 |
Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk.
Details
Limits: $10,000 (statewide small claims department only).
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Details of the return rules
| When it applies | Deadline | Starts from |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit return | 31 days | after the tenancy terminates and the tenant delivers possession to the landlord |
| security deposit or prepaid rent secures a tenancy for a space for a manufactured dwelling or floating home the tenant owns and occupies, and the dwelling or home is abandoned | 31 days | after the earliest of waiver of abandoned-property process, removal of the dwelling/home from the space, storage/disposition under ORS 90.425/90.675, or sale under those statutes |
Oregon return rule: 31 calendar days. Check the dates you entered above.
Court listed for this county: Wheeler County Circuit Court - Small Claims. Check venue on the official court page or with the clerk.
Free dated DOCX by email. Print-ready state PDF kit: $29. Letter preparation and mailing: $49.
Who do you name in the claim?
Find and compare the legal names
Find and compare the legal names in these records:
- The lease: the Landlord or Owner line and who signed.
- The deposit receipt or the account your rent went to.
- The owner of record in the property records of Wheeler County.
- The Oregon business registry for an LLC or management company: its exact legal name and registered agent. Oregon Secretary of State (check the link; report an error if it is wrong)
A registered agent receives court papers for a company; it is not the defendant.
This page shows where the names are recorded; it does not decide who is legally liable.
What to bring to the clerk
- Your lease.
- Deposit receipt or payment record.
- The demand letter and proof of delivery.
- Move-out photos and an inventory or condition report.
Is it worth filing here?
Illustration: a deposit equal to one month's ACS median gross rent (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) for a home in Wheeler County. This is calculated from rent, not measured deposits. The statutory amount requires the rule's conditions.
| Bedrooms | Deposit owed | Statutory amount | Total illustration | Limit check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | $779 | $779 | $1,558 | Fits under the $10,000 limit for this illustrated claim |
| 3 | $791 | $791 | $1,582 | Fits under the $10,000 limit for this illustrated claim |
| 4 | $908 | $908 | $1,816 | Fits under the $10,000 limit for this illustrated claim |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, tables B25064, B25031, B25003, B25070; accessed 2026-09-21. Penalty rule.
How does Wheeler County compare with other Oregon counties?
The two-bedroom median gross rent is $779: rank 34 of 36 counties with this metric in U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. 30.8% of households rent in Wheeler County.
| County | Median gross rent |
|---|---|
| Malheur County | $832 |
| Baker County | $828 |
| Morrow County | $825 |
| Wheeler County | $779 |
| Harney County | $686 |
| Grant County | $650 |
Ranking uses the same ACS metric and period within this state; ties share a rank. Coverage is 36 of 36 listed counties. Census source.
Places in Wheeler County
- Fossil
- Mitchell
- Spray
These are Census places in the county. Check the rental's address with the clerk to find the court.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census place-to-county relationship file
Free legal help
- Legal Aid Services of Oregon: Free civil legal assistance for eligible low-income residents, including housing and tenant problems; phone is the Portland regional office. Use the locations directory for the office serving another listed county.
- Oregon Law Center - Eviction Defense Project: Free legal help for eligible low-income tenants facing eviction throughout Oregon, regardless of immigration status. Normally requires an eviction court case number; Multnomah County tenants may also seek help with termination notices before a case is filed.
FAQ
How much does it cost to file in Wheeler County?
The court sets the fee. Check the current schedule. Court page
Where do I file a deposit claim in Wheeler County?
Wheeler County Circuit Court - Small Claims is listed. Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk. Court page
Who should I name in the claim?
Compare the legal names on the lease, deposit receipt, property records and business registry. A registered agent receives papers for a company; it is not the defendant.
What should I bring to the clerk?
Bring your lease, deposit receipt, demand letter, proof of delivery, photos and any move-out inventory.