Nevada Residential Landlord-Tenant Laws (NRS 118A) Guide
Explain Overview of Nevada rental laws, including the 3-month security deposit limit, 5% late fee cap, notice periods, and summary evictions.
Legal Disclaimer
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Laws change frequently — always verify current regulations and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice specific to your situation. Landager is a property management platform, not a law firm.Information last verified: April 2026.
Residential tenancies in Nevada are primarily governed by Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) Chapter 118A. Unlike states with heavy tenant protections, Nevada maintains a relatively balanced approach, featuring unique "summary eviction" procedures that expedite court filings for landlords, while still strictly enforcing caps on security deposits and late fees to protect tenants.
Key Nevada Rental Laws at a Glance
Security Deposits
Nevada allows landlords to charge a relatively high security deposit compared to neighboring states: up to three months' rent for an unfurnished apartment. However, landlords must return the deposit (or provide an itemized list of deductions) within a strict 30-day window after the termination of the tenancy (per NRS 118A.242(4)).
For more detail, see our Security Deposits guide.
Summary Eviction Procedures
Nevada features a unique, expedited legal process known as "Summary Eviction" for non-payment of rent and basic lease violations.
- For unpaid rent, landlords serve a 7-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit (NRS 40.2512). If the tenant fails to pay and fails to file an answer with the justice court within those 7 days, the landlord may apply to the court for a lockout order (NRS 40.253). The court still issues this order through a judicial determination — the process is expedited, but it is not automatic and still requires court involvement.
- For curable lease violations, a 5-Day Notice to Cure or Quit is required. The procedures for summary eviction based on lease violations are governed by NRS Chapter 40 (specifically NRS 40.2516), which operates separately from the general tenant-protection provisions in NRS Chapter 118A.
For more detail, see our Eviction Process deep dive.
Rent Increases and Rent Control
Because Nevada strictly adheres to the "Dillon Rule," local municipalities (like Las Vegas or Reno) do not have the legal authority to enact rent control ordinances without explicit permission from the state legislature. As a result, there is no rent control anywhere in Nevada.
However, landlords must provide significant notice before raising the rent: 60 days' written notice is required for month-to-month tenancies or when terminating a long-term lease with an increase.
For more detail, see our Rent Increases guide.
Late Fees
Nevada law strictly caps late fees. A landlord cannot charge a late fee that exceeds 5% of the total monthly rent. Additionally, while landlords are not required to provide a grace period, late fees must be explicitly laid out in the written lease agreement to be legally enforceable.
For more detail, see our Late Fees guide.
Additional Compliance Focus Areas
Explore our targeted guides to explain the complexities of managing residential property in Nevada:
How Landager Helps
Landager tracks lease terms, monitors state specific compliance requirements, and automates rent notices - making it easy to stay compliant with Nevada regulations.
Sources & Official References
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