A Nevada lease agreement is a legally binding rental contract between a landlord and a tenant, written per Nevada’s landlord-tenant laws. In a lease agreement, a property owner agrees to rent all or a portion of their property to a tenant for a fee, and the tenant agrees to pay. The landlord and tenant promise to follow the terms and conditions outlined in the agreement.
Rental Lease Laws Overview
- Rent Control: No
- Limit on Late Fees: Yes
- Late Fees in Rental Agreement: Yes
- Grace Period: Yes
- License Required for Landlord: No
A rental application is required from tenants to assess their eligibility.
By Type (6)
Standard Lease Agreement
The rental amount and payment terms for the residential property are specified in this tenancy agreement between a landlord and a tenant.
Commercial Lease Agreement
Lets a landlord rent their commercial property to a company for business purposes.
Rent-to-Own Lease Agreement
Grants a tenant a buy option for a specific period after they lease a property.
Month-to-Month Rental Agreement
There is no specified termination date for this agreement, and it automatically renews every month.
Sublease Agreement
Generates an additional lease agreement in which the original tenant remains responsible to the original landlord.
Room Rental Agreement
Establishes guidelines and responsibilities for room occupants renting within a larger property, regarding space usage and finances.
Required Lease Disclosures
Here are some of the required lease disclosures, according to the Nevada Revised Statutes:
- Fees. A landlord must specify if a fee is nonrefundable in a lease agreement. [1] According to the same statute, a landlord must also provide a moving checklist to record any existing damage before a tenant moves into the property.
- Foreclosure. A landlord must notify a tenant if the property has a foreclosure pending. [2]
- USA Flag (Right to Raise). A landlord must inform tenants of their right to wave an American flag on their property.
- Disclosure of Lead-Based Hazards. A landlord must notify the tenant if the property has been around since before 1978 due to the possibility of lead-based paint being on the property’s interior. [3]
Security Deposit
The Nevada Revised Statutes indicate that a landlord can charge up to three months’ rent for a security deposit. If the tenant moves out and the property is in suitable condition, a landlord must return the security deposit within 30 days. [4]
- Maximum Amount: Nevada law limits the security deposit to three months’ rent for unfurnished units and four months’ rent for furnished units. [4]
- Receipts: Landlords must provide a receipt for any security deposit payment if requested by the tenant. [4]
- Interest Payments: Nevada does not require landlords to deposit security deposits in an interest-bearing account or pay interest on them. [4]
- Bank Account: Landlords are not required to maintain security deposits in a distinct interest-bearing account, regardless of the number of rental units they own.
- Returning Requirements: Landlords must return the security deposit within 30 days after the tenant moves out. If the landlord makes deductions for damages, they must provide an itemized statement of repairs and damages along with the remaining deposit within this 30-day period. [5]
- Withholding Rules: Landlords can deduct from the security deposit for tenant-caused damages, provided they offer an itemized statement of repairs and damages. [5]
Rent Payments
- Laws: Rent must be paid by the first of each month unless the lease specifies otherwise.
- Rent Control: No rent control laws, meaning there is no limit on how much a landlord can increase the rent.
- Late Fees and Grace Period: State law does not specify a maximum amount for late fees, but they must be reasonable and disclosed in the lease. Landlords may impose late fees if rent is overdue, provided the fee is outlined in the lease agreement before the tenancy begins. Nevada law requires a 7-day notice to pay or quit. If rent remains unpaid after this period, the landlord can start eviction proceedings. [6]
- Withholding Rent: Tenants can withhold rent if the landlord fails to fix habitability issues after a 14-day notice. If the landlord does not address the problem, tenants may terminate the lease and seek damages. Rent can be withheld without notice if a government agency has notified the landlord of the issue and the landlord does not attempt to fix it. [7]
Landlord Right of Entry
- Notice Requirements: A landlord must provide at least 24 hours advance notice to a tenant before entering the rental property except for cases of emergency. [8]
- Keys, Locks, and Security: Landlords cannot change locks to evict tenants. However, there are no specific rules governing other lock changes.
Property Repairs
- Landlord Responsibilities: Landlords must keep rental properties habitable, repair issues promptly, and maintain essential services like heat, water, and electricity. They must also ensure the property meets health and safety codes. [9]
- Tenant Repairs: Tenants must keep their rental clean, use fixtures properly, follow health and safety codes, avoid damage, and notify landlords of needed repairs promptly. [10]
- Abandonment: Landlords must try to re-rent the property if a tenant abandons it. There’s no set absentee period for abandonment, and landlords need to provide a 10-day notice for unpaid utilities before taking action. [11]
Terminating a Lease
- Month-to-Month Tenancy: Either party can terminate a month-to-month tenancy by giving written notice at least 30 days before the next rent payment is due. This applies to both landlords and tenants.
- Unclaimed Property: If a tenant leaves personal property behind after moving out, the landlord must notify the tenant in writing and give them a reasonable time to claim it. If the tenant doesn’t retrieve the property within the given period, the landlord can dispose of it according to state law. [12]
Sample
Download this Nevada lease agreement template to start outlining your terms for your tenants:
