Landlord Won't Make Repairs in Nevada: What Can I Do?

What your landlord has to fix

1. 1

   Nevada law requires your landlord to keep your home fit to live in the whole time you rent it. This includes working plumbing with hot and cold running water, safe wiring and lights, and heat that works. The roof and walls must keep out rain and cold, and floors, walls, and stairs must stay in good repair. Trash cans and shared areas your landlord controls must stay clean and free of pests. Your home breaks this law if it violates a housing or health code.

   Source:

   1. NRS 118A.290(1), Nevada Legislature. Law.
   Tip.

   Take photos of each problem, with the date. Take more if it gets worse.

Ask in writing

2. 2

   Write your landlord a letter or message that lists each repair problem in your home. Ask your landlord to fix each problem. Nevada law gives your landlord 14 days after your written notice to fix the problem, or to make a real effort to fix it. If your landlord does this in time, you cannot use the other steps on this page for that problem.

   Source:

   1. NRS 118A.355(1), Nevada Legislature. Law.
   Tip.

   Keep a copy of every letter you give your landlord, and keep your mail receipt. Save the texts and emails you send your landlord, and any replies.

3. 3

   Your landlord must supply heat and utilities (water, electric, gas) when the law or your lease requires it. Your landlord must also keep your door lock working. If your landlord on purpose or carelessly fails to do this and your home becomes unfit to live in, send written notice about it. Nevada law gives your landlord 48 hours to fix it or make a real effort to, not counting a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.

   Source:

   1. NRS 118A.380(1), Nevada Legislature. Law.

If it is still not fixed

4. 4

   Your landlord has 14 days after your written notice to fix a material problem (a real, serious one). If your landlord neither fixes it nor makes a real effort to fix it in that time, you have options. You can end your lease right away. You can also ask a court to order money for your losses. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

   Sources:

   1. Our editorial rules.
   2. NRS 118A.355(1), Nevada Legislature. Law.
   Your landlord can sue you for the rent.

   If you move out early because of repairs, your landlord can sue you for the rent up to the end of your lease. If the judge rules for your landlord, you can owe that rent. Your proof matters. Get legal help first.

5. 5

   You can hold back rent that comes due until your landlord fixes a material problem (a real, serious one). Your landlord can instead make a real effort to fix it. Nevada courts require you to pay the rent you are holding back into a court-approved account. If you do not, you cannot use this as a defense if your landlord takes you to court.

   Sources:

   1. Our editorial rules.
   2. NRS 118A.355(1), Nevada Legislature. Law.
   Your landlord can take you to court.

   If you hold back rent, pay less, or take repair costs out of your rent, your landlord can file an eviction case for unpaid rent. If the judge rules for your landlord, you can owe the rent and court costs and have to move out. Your proof matters. Even a case you win can show up when you apply for a new place. Get legal help first.

6. 6

   If a repair costs less than $100 or one month's rent, whichever is more, you can fix it yourself. You can take the cost off your rent. First send your landlord written notice describing the problem. Your landlord has 14 days to make a real effort to fix it, or less time in an emergency. If your landlord does not, hire someone and give a written list of the work and its cost. You can take the actual, reasonable cost off your rent. The most your landlord owes you this way is that same dollar amount in any 12 months.

   Sources:

   1. Our editorial rules.
   2. NRS 118A.360(1), Nevada Legislature. Law.
7. 7

   If your landlord does not fix it within 48 hours, you have options. You can pay for the item or service yourself and take the actual, reasonable cost off your rent. You can ask a court to order money for your losses. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays. You can hold back rent that comes due until your landlord makes a real effort to fix it.

   Sources:

   1. Our editorial rules.
   2. NRS 118A.380(1), Nevada Legislature. Law.
8. 8

   Your landlord cannot punish you for using your rights under Nevada's renter law. Your landlord cannot end your lease, refuse to renew it, raise your rent, or cut services because you complained. This applies if you complained in good faith about a building, housing, or health code problem to a government agency. It applies if you complained in good faith to your landlord about a violation of this law. The same protection applies if you took your landlord to court over a repair problem, or joined a renters' group. Your landlord can still act for a separate lawful reason allowed elsewhere in this law.

   Source:

   1. NRS 118A.510(1), Nevada Legislature. Law.
9. 9

   In Nevada, you can choose to report a specific crime to the police, and your landlord cannot punish you for a good faith report. That means no ending or refusing to renew your lease, raising your rent, or cutting services because of it. It helps to write down what happened and when.

   Sources:

   1. Our editorial rules.
   2. NRS 118A.510(1), Nevada Legislature. Law.
10. 10

    If your landlord retaliates against you (punishes you for using your legal rights), you have protections in court. You can use it as a defense if your landlord tries to evict you. You may also ask a court to help you get back into your home. Or you can ask the court to order your landlord to pay you up to $2,500, or both. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

    Sources:

    1. Our editorial rules.
    2. NRS 118A.510(2), Nevada Legislature. Law.