Nevada Landlord-Tenant Law: Overview of Rights 2024

Nevada landlord-tenant law is a set of guidelines established by the state and local legislatures to protect landlords and tenants when renting property. It details the rights of tenants and landlords in Nevada, outlining the responsibilities of both parties and providing a roadmap for legal proceedings.

In this guide, we’ll review best practices for screening tenants, the importance of fair housing laws, lease agreements, security deposits, and rent collection, among other topics.

So read on to learn everything you ever needed to know about Nevada landlord-tenant law, 2024!

Key Findings: Landlord-Tenant Rights & Responsibilities

One key component of landlord-tenant law is establishing landlords’ and tenants’ rights and responsibilities. Individual state legislatures pass these laws, and as a result, they can vary widely from state to state.

Nevada landlord-tenant law outlines the following:

Nevada landlords have the right to:

• Collect rent: Landlords in Nevada have the right to collect rent as outlined in the lease agreement. The lease will dictate the rent amount, due date, late fees, and payment methods.
• Screen tenants: Landlords have the right to conduct background checks on tenants, including their criminal history, credit status, and eviction history.
• Require a security deposit: Nevada landlords can require a security deposit of up to 3-months’ rent.
• Enter the rental property: Landlords must provide at least 24 hours’ notice to enter the rental property except in cases of emergency.
• Make and enforce rules of the property: As long as it complies with local law and the lease agreement, landlords can establish rules regarding noise restrictions and pet policies, among other guidelines.

Nevada landlords are responsible for:

• Providing a habitable property: Landlords are legally required to ensure that rental property is safe, habitable, and meets all state and local housing codes.
• Making necessary repairs: Landlords must make necessary repairs within 14 days of receiving notice from the tenant.
• Returning security deposits: Nevada landlords must return security deposits within 30 days of the tenant moving out.
• Providing proper notice before entering: Landlords must provide notice before entering a unit and can only do so at reasonable times.
• Following the lease agreement: Landlords must follow the lease agreement like the tenant.

Nevada tenants have the right to:

• A habitable home: Tenants have the right to a safe and habitable unit that meets basic health and safety standards with working plumbing, heating, and electricity.
• Timely repairs: Under Nevada law, tenants can request necessary repairs that affect habitability and withhold rent if landlords don’t complete them.
• Break the lease in certain situations: If tenants meet a legally qualifying condition, they may be able to do so without penalty.
• Privacy: Tenants have the right to quiet enjoyment of a property without fear of constant interruptions by the landlord.
• Enjoy fair treatment: Federal and state laws require equal treatment among tenants regardless of sex, race, color, religion, familial status, or disability.

Nevada tenants are responsible for:

• Paying rent on time: Nevada tenants who do not pay rent on time could be subject to late fees or eviction proceedings.
• Reporting necessary repair or maintenance needs: Tenants must make landlords aware of necessary fixes in a timely manner.
• Following lease terms: Just like landlords, tenants must follow the lease exactly as written.
• Keeping the property clean and safe: The property should be free of trash or hazardous conditions.
• Following eviction laws: If properly filed and ruled on, tenants must leave a property when ordered to by a judge following an eviction hearing.

Best Practices for Screening Prospective Tenants

Landlords can charge tenants to process a rental application that includes a tenant’s criminal and credit history in Nevada.

While Nevada law doesn’t specify the maximum amount that landlords can charge, the fee must relate directly to the screening cost. Landlords must also clearly describe to the tenant what the fee covers and that it is non-refundable, no matter the outcome of the screening.

Nevada tenant rights indicate that landlords must be transparent about what the screening process will cover, including letting applicants know that they’ll be checking credit, criminal, and eviction histories.

Make the process easy — TurboTenant offers comprehensive tenant screening at no cost to landlords.

Compliance with Fair Housing Laws in Nevada

There haven’t been any significant new Nevada landlord-tenant laws regarding fair housing recently. Fair housing laws are a method that state and federal governments use to try to eliminate illegal discrimination from the housing process, and they’re essential for landlords to understand.

What actions are considered housing discrimination?

Federal fair housing laws, specifically the Fair Housing Act, stipulate that landlords cannot favor some applicants over others based on protected characteristics.

It is illegal to discriminate against a tenant or applicant based on:

• Race or color
• National origin
• Religion
• Sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation)
• Familial status
• Disability

Landlords may not deny housing, charge different rent amounts, change lease terms, or market a property differently based on the above criteria. Running afoul of fair housing laws can result in legal action, hefty fines, or other civil penalties.

How can discrimination be avoided in rental practices?

Landlords should use consistent and objective criteria when screening and managing tenants to avoid potential discrimination. By establishing clear guidelines that apply equally to everyone, there is significantly less risk of allowing discrimination to influence decisions.

Landlords should document every stage of the process and train any tenant-facing staff in anti-discrimination policies to avoid potential complications.

What are the repercussions for fair housing violations?

Violating fair housing laws can have serious legal and financial consequences for Nevada landlords, including HUD investigations, tenant lawsuits, or other enforcement measures from government agencies. In addition to monetary penalties, violations can lead to a poor reputation in the marketplace and possible license loss in locations where a rental license is necessary.

Landlords accused of discrimination should keep detailed records of every step of the process and cooperate fully with any investigation.

Nevada Lease Agreements

State law only requires written Nevada lease agreements for lease terms over one year. However, we always recommend them. Leases are a vital part of the rental process, as they outline the expectations and responsibilities of all parties, including rent payments, security deposit information, maintenance responsibilities, and lease duration.

There are typically two types of lease agreements:

• Fixed-term: A fixed-term lease lasts for a specific period, such as six months or one year. Unless otherwise detailed in the agreement, it expires naturally when that term ends.
• Month-to-month: These leases are more flexible and allow a tenant or landlord to terminate the agreement by giving 30 days’ written notice.

Which lease terms are legally required in Nevada?

To be considered a legally valid lease in Nevada, it must contain at least the following information:

• Names of all parties
• Address of the property
• Rent amount, due date, and acceptable payment methods
• Duration of the lease
• Responsibilities for maintenance and repairs
• Responsibilities for utility payments
• Description of the security deposit

What constitutes legal renting in Nevada?

Nevada law requires a unit to be safe and habitable in order to be considered a legal rental. Plumbing, heating, and electrical systems must work. Adequate ventilation and safe drinking water are also required.

Rental units must also adhere to occupancy limits based on local housing codes, and both tenants and landlords must follow the signed lease agreement to avoid potential legal complications.

What tenant documentation is required?

When tenants apply for a rental unit, they’ll generally be required to provide:

• Proof of identity could be a driver’s license, passport, or state ID.
• Proof of income could be pay stubs, bank statements, or tax returns.
• Credit history, which is often a part of the tenant screening process.
• Employment verification can be determined with a letter or phone call from the employer.

Some landlords may have specific special rental requirements, which are fine as long as they do not violate discriminatory practices or fair housing laws. Landlords must keep a paper trail of the process in case of any issues regarding the application process.

What are the mandatory landlord disclosures in Nevada?

Disclosures are a big part of the lease signing process. When moving into a new unit, states typically require disclosures that the landlord makes to the tenant regarding the specific unit or general aspects of renting property in Nevada.

The required disclosures in Nevada are:

• The existence or knowledge of any lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards in units built prior to 1978
• If the property is currently subject to any foreclosure proceedings
• A public nuisance disclosure that outlines the penalties for creating or allowing a public nuisance on the rental property
• The landlord must allow tenants to display an American flag for personal use on a pole, staff, or in a window
• Language about late fees if the landlord intends to charge any on late rent payments
• The contact info of the landlord must be clearly listed
• Nevada landlords are also required to provide a move-in checklist detailing the condition of the property at lease signing

Landlords who do not provide the necessary disclosures could be subject to fines or penalties, lawsuits from tenants, or potential lease termination by the tenants.

Security Deposits in Nevada

Security deposits are essential to protect a landlord’s investment in a rental property. They reduce financial risk and give tenants a financial interest in maintaining the unit.

What are the guidelines for security deposit collection?

Nevada landlords can require up to 3 months’ rent. If the tenant requests it, landlords must provide a receipt for the deposit, but they are not required to keep the deposit in a separate account or tell the tenant where it’s held.

When can deductions be made from security deposits?

Nevada law allows landlords to deduct funds from the security deposit for the following:

• Unpaid rent and fees
• Damage beyond normal wear and tear
• Cleaning costs
• Breaking the lease early

When a landlord withholds any amount from the deposit, they must send an itemized statement detailing the deductions within 30 days of the tenant’s departure, including a clear cost breakdown. Usually, the assessment of damages to the unit involves comparing its current condition to the initial move-in checklist that both parties signed upon moving in.

How should security deposits be returned?

Deposits must be returned within 30 days, along with the itemized receipt of deductions if the landlord claims any of the funds for the above reasons.

Maintenance Responsibilities of Landlords

Nevada landlord-tenant law requires landlords to provide rental units that meet basic health, safety, and habitability codes to ensure tenants occupy livable properties.

What are the legal standards for property conditions?

Providing a habitable unit means that Nevada landlords must repair and maintain essential utilities and elements of a property to meet legal codes. These essential elements include:

• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Running water and plumbing
• Heating systems
• Electrical systems
• The structural integrity of the property
• Trash removal and sanitation

What is the proper protocol for repairs?

Tenants must provide written notice of the need to repair an essential utility, such as plumbing or electrical. Once the notice is received, landlords have 14 days to fix the problem, except if the issue affects the tenant’s health or safety, which must be handled within 48 hours.

If the landlord does not act within the required timeframe, tenants may repair the issue themselves and deduct the cost from the next rent payment, provided it does not exceed one month’s rent.

If the tenant chooses this option, they must provide the landlord with an itemized receipt for the repair cost. If this problem continues, the tenant may be legally allowed to terminate the lease without penalty.

Do landlords need to give tenants advance notice before accessing a rental property?

Landlords in Nevada must give tenants at least 24 hours’ notice before entering a tenant’s unit, and they can only enter during normal business hours unless the tenant agrees to a different time.

If a landlord repeatedly flaunts this rule, tenants may be able to get a court order to prevent continued occurrences, sue the landlord for harassment, or cancel the rental agreement.

Late Rent Fee Regulations

Nevada landlord-tenant law provides a 3-day minimum grace period for rent payment. If rent is still late after the grace period, landlords can charge a late fee of up to 5% of the monthly rent, but the lease must explicitly state that fee.

Rent Control in Nevada

There is no statewide rent control in Nevada. If a landlord wishes to raise the rent, they must give the tenant 30 days’ notice of the intent.

Lease Renewal and Termination

The landlord or tenant can terminate month-to-month leases by providing at least 30 days’ written notice. Fixed-term leases expire at the end of the term unless the lease indicates otherwise. Nevada landlords are not obligated to renew a fixed-term lease when the term expires.

Tenants in Nevada may break a fixed-term lease early and without penalty if they meet a legally qualifying condition. These include:

• Entering into active military duty
• Victims of domestic violence
• Uninhabitable living conditions
• Landlord harassment
• Death of a tenant

Landlords may end a fixed-term lease early if one of the following occurs:

• Lease violation by the tenant
• The landlord is taking back occupancy of the unit
• Major repairs threaten the habitability of the property

Eviction Procedures for Nevada Landlords

For Nevada tenant rights, 2024 hasn’t seen any significant changes regarding evictions. Evictions can be a complicated process for landlords and tenants to manage. Each has a specific process for handling evictions, and Nevada is no different.

What justifications exist for eviction?

Nevada is a just cause (fault) eviction state, meaning landlords must have a valid reason to begin the eviction process. Legally recognizable reasons for eviction include:

• Non-payment of rent
• Lease violations
• Illegal activity
• Tenant creates an unhealthy or unsanitary living environment

Landlords should document any of the above, should it occur, since it will be necessary to demonstrate to the court that the eviction is valid.

What is the eviction process?

Once a landlord has identified a valid reason for eviction, the eviction process is as follows:

• Deliver a notice to vacate
  • 7-day notice to pay or quit for non-payment of rent
  • 5-day notice to cure or quit for lease violations
  • 3-day nuisance notice for illegal activity
• File an eviction complaint in court if the tenant has not vacated or cured the violation
• If the tenant does not respond in 5 days, the court may issue a default judgment; otherwise, there will be a court hearing
• The court will hold a hearing and issue a judgment
• If the judge grants the eviction, the court issues a 24-hour lockout order
• If the tenant does not leave, the sheriff will execute the removal of the tenant

How is property reclaimed after eviction?

Once the court has issued the Writ of Possession, the sheriff must remove the tenant if they won’t leave on their own. According to Nevada law, landlords should never attempt to remove the tenants themselves, as self-help evictions are illegal. Landlords can then change the locks on the property to ensure the evicted tenant does not return.

Landlords must store property left behind by tenants for 30 days after they vacate the property. After that time period, landlords can dispose of it without penalty.

Local Ordinances for Landlords and Tenants

Nevada landlord-tenant law has not seen any major adjustments or changes in 2024, but landlords must stay current as the law evolves. Beyond the state level, local counties or cities can create distinctive laws that property owners should also follow.

Municode is a great source of local guidelines, and landlords can use it to ensure they comply with local laws.

Federal Landlord-Tenant Laws

Apart from local and state law, Federal law also plays a role in landlord-tenant law.

• The Federal Fair Housing Act protects renters from unfair and discriminatory practices
• The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) oversees federal housing guidelines and provides information about fair housing and housing assistance programs
• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires landlords to make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities
• The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB) oversees rental housing, among other duties, and can provide resources for lease agreements, evictions, and security deposits

Managing Tenant Legal Disputes as a Nevada Landlord

When disputes arise between a landlord and tenant, it’s critical that both parties first review the lease agreement. If the lease doesn’t solve the issue, reviewing Nevada landlord-tenant law will hopefully provide some guidance.

If the issue persists, you may need to seek legal assistance or resolve the matter in court. Luckily, Nevada has several resources that can help landlords and tenants in legal disputes.

• Nevada Legal Services: Free or low-cost legal assistance for landlords and tenants, including help with evictions and mediation services
• Clark County Neighborhood Justice Center: Serves as a “forum for the impartial mediation of minor disputes including, but not limited to, disputes between landlord and tenant…”
• Northern Nevada Legal Aid: A non-profit that assists low-income tenants in a number of areas, including housing disputes.
• Nevada Tenant Rights Hotline: A hotline that grants answers to questions about evictions, Nevada tenant rights, or other housing issues.

Navigate Your Landlord-Tenant Relationship with TurboTenant

We know renting property can sometimes be challenging, but TurboTenant is here to help. TurboTenant is free property management software for landlords that provides a number of features to streamline your workflow no matter how many properties you manage.

TurboTenant offers:

• Online rental applications and tenant screening that comply with all relevant laws
• State-specific, legally-reviewed lease agreements
• Rent collection software that can automatically remind tenants of upcoming payments
• Maintenance and repair tracking to help landlords keep units habitable

So, sign up for a free TurboTenant account today and streamline your business processes.

Nevada Landlord-Tenant Law FAQs