State laws regulate the relationship between landlord and tenant, protecting the rights and interests of each party. For the most part, these laws affect the terms of leases, security deposits, discrimination laws, and other aspects of the rental agreement. The rental agreement is a legally binding contract between the two parties, which means an aggrieved party (either the landlord or tenant) may seek relief in civil court if the terms of a valid lease agreement are breached.
Some states (not including Oklahoma) have adopted a piece of model legislation known as the Uniform Residential Landlord & Tenant Act, which attempts to equalize the bargaining positions of both parties and require landlords to meet minimum standards for safe housing.
The Basic Provisions of Oklahoma Lease and Rental Agreement Laws
Under Oklahoma statute, a lease is presumed to have been renewed for the same terms and time if the tenant pays rent and remains on the property after the original lease has expired. And while there is no limit on how much a landlord may require as a security deposit, he or she is required to return the deposit within 30 days after the lease is terminated (minus expenses for cleaning or repairs).
The following table lists additional details about Oklahoma's lease and rental agreement laws. See FindLaw's Rental and Lease Agreements section for more articles.
| Code Section | 41 §§35, 115; 25 §1452, 1453 |
| Terms of Leases | Parties presumed to have renewed lease for same terms and time, not exceeding 1 year |
| Deposits | No limit on deposit; interest on deposit not required; deposit must be returned within 30 days of termination |
| Discrimination | No discrimination on basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, familial status, handicap; housing for older persons exempted |
| Uniform Residential Landlord & Tenant Act Adopted? | No |
Note: State laws are not carved in stone and are subject to change at any time through the enactment of new legislation, decisions from higher courts, and other means. You may want to contact an Oklahoma landlord-tenant law attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
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Oklahoma Lease and Rental Agreement Laws: Related Resources
