What Is the Landlord Tenant Law in Las Vegas?
Have you made an oral or written agreement with your tenant to inhabit the property in exchange for paying rent? If so, a rental agreement would be deemed to exist as per Chapter 118A of Nevada Rental Laws.
Once a rental agreement exists, both parties automatically obtain certain rights and responsibilities. On one hand, you obtain the right to enter the property and the right to pursue an eviction against a tenant who violates the lease, among others.
On the other hand, your tenant obtains a right to live in a habitable property and a right to peace and quiet, among others. Both parties also become liable to a slew of obligations.
Are you a new landlord looking to familiarize yourself with the provisions of the tenancy laws? Or, are you simply refreshing your understanding of the Nevada landlord-tenant laws? You should find this comprehensive guide to be an invaluable resource.
Required Landlord Disclosures in Nevada
As a landlord, you must make these disclosures known to your tenant before they start renting your home:
Disclosure on lead-based paint: This is required of landlords whose homes were built before 1978. You must let your tenant know of the concentration of lead-based paint present in your unit.
Disclosure on authorized agents: You must disclose contact information for the person authorized to manage the property.
Disclosure of late fees: You must disclose any late fees charged for late or missed rental payments on the lease agreement.
Disclosure on flying the American flag: You must let your tenant know of their right to display the American flag in a reasonable manner.
Disclosure on pending disclosure: Is your property subject to a pending disclosure? If so, you must inform your tenant of that in writing.
Disclosure of utility charges: If utility charges are going to be shared among various occupants, you must disclose how this will be done.
Disclosure of the move-in condition of the property: You must provide your tenant with a disclosure that outlines the property's condition and inventory.
Disclosure of penalties for not respecting terms in the lease agreement: Disclosure regarding the penalties that arise from a tenant causing nuisance while at the property.
Nevada Tenant Rights and Responsibilities
Nevada tenants have the following rights as per the statewide landlord-tenant laws. The right to:
Live in a habitable rental property.
Live in peace and quiet.
Be provided with certain disclosures prior to moving in.
Be treated fairly in accordance with the Nevada Fair Housing Act.
Be notified prior to their month-to-month lease being terminated.
Be taken through the proper eviction process.
Have repairs done within a reasonable period of time after requesting them.
Break the lease agreement for certain legally justified reasons, such as starting active military duty.
Nevada tenants also have the following obligations apart from paying rent:
Keeping the unit clean, safe, and in a habitable condition.
Using all the appliances and facilities provided in a reasonable manner.
Caring for the premises by not causing negligent or careless property damage.
Taking care of minor repairs and maintenance tasks.
Respecting the peace and quiet of other tenants.
Nevada Landlord Rights and Responsibilities
As a landlord in Nevada, the following are some of the rights you have:
To evict a tenant who violates the terms of the lease agreement.
To require tenants to pay a security deposit prior to moving in.
To screen prospective tenants.
To terminate a tenant's month-to-month lease by serving them appropriate notice.
To charge whatever amount of rent and increase it by whatever amount.
To enter a tenant's unit after serving appropriate notice.
When it comes to responsibilities, the following are a couple of things that you are liable for in Nevada:
Providing certain mandatory disclosures to tenants prior to them moving in.
Providing a tenant at least 24 hours' notice prior to entering their premises.
Treating tenants in accordance with the Fair Housing Act.
Following the security deposit rules, such as returning the deposit back to the tenant within 30 days of them moving out.
Following the proper eviction process when evicting a tenant.
An Overview of the Landlord-Tenant Laws in Nevada
Evictions
You have a right to evict your tenant when they violate any of the terms of the lease agreement. Common lease violations in Nevada include the following:
Nonpayment of rent.
Failure to abide by the terms of the agreement
Failure to move out after the rental period has ended.
Committing an illegal act in the rental property.
In the case of any of the aforementioned reasons, you must then follow the proper eviction process to remove the tenant.
Security Deposits
Do you require tenants to pay a security deposit prior to renting your home? If so, Nevada security deposit law dictates you must follow certain rules, such as:
Not asking for a security deposit exceeding the rent equivalent of 3 months.
Returning the deposit within 30 days after the tenant moves out.
Only making allowable deductions to the tenant's deposit.
For a comprehensive overview of the rules governing the collection and return of security deposits in Nevada, please see NV Rev Stat § 118A.242.
Lease Termination
To terminate a periodic tenancy, Nevada lease laws state that either party to the lease must serve the other the appropriate notice. To terminate a month-to-month lease, for instance, a 30 days' notice must be served.
When it comes to a fixed-term lease, however, a tenant must wait for the entire term to end in order to move out. Some exceptions to this blanket rule do exist. A tenant can only break their lease early for the following justified reasons:
Advanced age or illness
Domestic violence
Landlord harassment
Uninhabitable unit
Conclusion
Do you still have questions regarding Nevada landlord-tenant laws? If so, Freedom House Property Management can help!
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Disclaimer: This blog should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed attorney in your state.
