Nevada Commercial Evictions: Legal Self-Help & 5-Day Fast Tracks

Nevada is uniquely aggressive in protecting commercial landlord rights. While most states force landlords through a lengthy court process to reclaim a property after a default, Nevada commercial landlords have access to two exceptionally powerful tools: The 5-Day Summary Eviction and the legal Commercial Lockout (Self-Help).

Disclaimer: This guide provides general legal information for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Executing a commercial lockout improperly exposes landlords to massive civil liability. Always consult a Nevada attorney. Information last verified: March 2026.

1. The Commercial Summary Eviction (5-Day Fast Track)

If a commercial tenant fails to pay rent, the landlord can utilize the Summary Eviction process, which is significantly faster than a traditional civil lawsuit.

• The landlord serves a Five-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit.
• The tenant has 5 business days to pay the rent in full or move out.
• If the tenant does neither, the landlord immediately files with the justice court. If the tenant fails to file a legal objection/answer, the judge will issue a summary eviction order, and the constable will execute the lockout, often within days.

If the tenant breaches the lease in a way other than failing to pay rent, the summary eviction process cannot be used; the landlord must file a formal Unlawful Detainer lawsuit.

2. Legal Self-Help (Commercial Lockouts)

In almost every state, a landlord changing the locks on a tenant without a court order is a crime ("illegal self-help"). Nevada is a rare exception for commercial properties.

Under Nevada law, if a commercial tenant has not paid rent, the landlord has the statutory right to change the locks and regain possession of the premises without going to court, unless the lease specifically prohibits self-help.

Strict Lockout Rules

While powerful, the self-help remedy must be executed flawlessly. When a landlord changes the locks under this provision, they must:

1. Post a Written Notice: For at least five continuous days after changing the locks, the landlord must post a written notice on the front door.
2. Provide Contact Info: The notice must explicitly state the name, address, and telephone number of the person the tenant can contact to obtain a new key.
3. During Business Hours: The landlord only has to provide the new key during normal business hours...
4. Conditional Upon Payment: ...and only after the tenant has paid the delinquent rent in full.

The Danger of Doing it Wrong

If a landlord executes a lockout for a reason other than unpaid rent, or fails to post the required 5-day notice on the door, the eviction is illegal. The tenant can immediately sue to recover possession of the property, terminate the lease, and seek massive financial damages for the destruction of their business, plus attorney's fees.