Las Vegas Eviction Court Steps 2026–27: Answering a Summary Eviction in Clark County
Nevada's eviction system is different from most states. In a summary eviction, the landlord doesn't have to file a lawsuit first. You get a notice. If you do nothing, the landlord can ask the court for a lockout order without any hearing. The only thing that gets you in front of a judge is filing a Tenant's Affidavit/Answer with the court before the notice runs out.
Everything below is about protecting that one deadline and what comes after it.
Last checked October 2026. Facts come from Nevada Revised Statutes 40.253 and 40.2545, the Las Vegas Justice Court eviction FAQ, the Civil Law Self-Help Center, and the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada. This is general information, not legal advice.
Read Your Notice: What Kind Is It?
The Civil Law Self-Help Center describes the main notices tenants see in summary evictions:
Seven-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit. For unpaid rent. You either pay or move. Or you file an answer to contest it.
Thirty-Day "No Cause" Notice (seven days if you pay rent weekly), followed by a Five-Day Notice to Quit for Unlawful Detainer.
Other notices for lease violations or nuisance. These have their own timelines.
Under NRS 40.253(3), a pay-rent-or-quit notice must name the court that has jurisdiction. It must also tell you about your right to file an affidavit contesting the eviction, and about your rights if the landlord unlawfully locks you out or cuts off essential services (NRS 118A.390).
Some weekly-rent tenancies of 45 days or less can get a shorter notice under the statute. If your notice gives you less than seven judicial days, get legal help right away.
Count Your Deadline in Judicial Days
For a seven-day nonpayment notice, NRS 40.253 sets the deadline as the close of business on the seventh judicial day after the day of service.
The Self-Help Center explains that for notices of 10 days or less, you don't count:
the day you were served;
weekends;
legal holidays.
The Self-Help Center's example: If you get a Seven-Day Notice to Pay Rent on a Monday, you have until the clerk's office closes on the following Thursday. If you got a Five-Day Notice to Quit on a Monday, your deadline is the following Tuesday.
"Close of business" means the court's close of business, per NRS 40.253(13). The Self-Help Center warns that filing means finishing and submitting your papers to the clerk, not just reaching the courthouse. Don't wait until the last afternoon.
How to File Your Answer
Option 1: File online (Las Vegas Justice Court)
The Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada (LACSN) says Las Vegas tenants can prepare and file their answer online at lacsn.org/efile. Choose "SUMMARY EVICTION: Tenant's Answer." The Las Vegas Justice Court also accepts answers through efilenv.com or the File and Guide automated interview.
The Self-Help Center notes the Las Vegas Justice Court requires electronic filing. You'll need an email address to set up a filing account.
Option 2: File in person
You can file at the Customer Service Division of Las Vegas Justice Court, first floor of the Regional Justice Center, 200 Lewis Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89101. The court's phone number is (702) 671-3116.
North Las Vegas and Henderson tenants: LACSN says you can use the online tool to prepare your forms. Then file in person at the justice court in your city.
The forms
The Self-Help Center lists:
Tenant's Affidavit/Answer in Opposition to Summary Eviction for Nonpayment of Rent
Tenant's Affidavit/Answer in Opposition to Summary Eviction Other Than Nonpayment, Las Vegas only (Henderson and North Las Vegas have their own version)
The fee
The Self-Help Center lists a $71 filing fee. If you can't pay it, file an Application to Waive Filing Fee (also called in forma pauperis). Each court has its own version. The forms are free at the Self-Help Center.
What filing does
Under NRS 40.253(4), once you file the affidavit on time, the landlord, after receiving a file-stamped copy, can't lock you out. Under 40.253(6), when both sides have filed, the court must hold a hearing, "regardless of the information contained in the affidavit."
LACSN's warning: Even if your landlord tells you not to worry, and even if you plan to move out, file an answer. LACSN says that if you don't, you will be evicted without a court hearing.
After You File: Diversion or Hearing
Eviction diversion (some tenants)
LACSN says the Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Henderson Justice Courts automatically send some tenants to an eviction diversion meeting before any hearing. This applies to elderly and disabled tenants on a fixed income who got a rent increase in the last 12 months. It applies only to nonpayment cases. Enrollment is automatic if you meet the criteria and include that information in your answer.
What to do, per LACSN:
Check your email every day after you file. The scheduling notice usually comes within about ten days.
Go to the meeting. If you can't, contact Clark County Social Service (CCSS) before the appointment to reschedule. Otherwise your rental assistance application will be delayed.
Bring paper copies of the documents listed in the notice. LACSN says CCSS will be there and may have funds for back rent. An LACSN representative will also review your case.
The hearing
The Self-Help Center says the hearing usually takes place within one week. The Las Vegas Justice Court may mail your hearing notice. The Self-Help Center says don't rely on the mail. Check your case online or call the court.
At the hearing, under NRS 40.253(6), the judge decides whether the affidavits and notice are true and sufficient:
If there's no legal defense, the judge can issue a summary order for removal.
If there is a legal defense, the judge must deny relief to both sides. Any further case then goes through the formal eviction process.
If you don't show up, the Self-Help Center says the court will likely grant the eviction. If the landlord doesn't show, the eviction will probably be denied.
Bring: your lease, rent receipts, bank or money order records, texts and emails with the landlord, the notice, and photos of any repair problems.
If an Eviction Order Is Posted
Under NRS 40.253, the constable must post the order on the property within 24 hours of receiving it. The constable can remove you no earlier than 24 hours and no later than 36 hours after posting. The Las Vegas Justice Court FAQ says the same.
Appeals: The court says either side can appeal a final decision. It refers tenants to the Self-Help Center's "Responding to an Order for Eviction" page for filing steps. Appeal rules are technical. Call LACSN.
Paying Late Rent After a Notice
NRS 40.253(11) says a landlord can't refuse rent paid after a notice just because you haven't also paid collection fees, attorney's fees, or other non-rent costs. The landlord also can't refuse because of a missing security deposit. A reasonable late charge or dishonored-check charge can still be required. Get a receipt for any payment.
Your Belongings After a Lockout
NRS 40.253 gives you two short motion deadlines:
Within 5 days after you leave or are removed, you can file a motion challenging whether the landlord acted reasonably about your belongings. The court must hold a hearing within 5 days. The judge can order the landlord to let you get your essential personal effects and can award up to $2,500 in damages.
Within 20 days, you can dispute the landlord's inventory, moving, and storage charges for your belongings.
Sealing Your Eviction Record
Under NRS 40.2545, a summary eviction case file is sealed automatically:
when the case is dismissed;
10 judicial days after the court denies the eviction;
31 days after you file your affidavit, if the landlord never files a complaint within 30 days.
A court can also seal a file if you and the landlord agree in writing. It can also seal on your motion in certain situations, such as when sealing is in the interests of justice.
Free Help in Clark County
Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada: (702) 386-1070. TDD (702) 386-1059.
Civil Law Self-Help Center: inside the Regional Justice Center, 200 Lewis Ave. Free forms and information, in person and at civillawselfhelpcenter.org.
Rental assistance: LACSN keeps a current list of rental assistance programs on its eviction guide. LACSN warns that you can now be evicted even with a rental assistance application pending. Applying for help doesn't replace filing your answer.
FAQ
How many days do I have to answer a 7-day notice in Las Vegas? Until the court closes on the seventh judicial day after service. Don't count the day of service, weekends, or legal holidays.
What does it cost to file a tenant's answer? The Self-Help Center lists $71. You can apply for a fee waiver.
Can I file online? Yes, in Las Vegas Justice Court, through lacsn.org/efile ("SUMMARY EVICTION: Tenant's Answer") or efilenv.com.
How fast can the constable remove me? No earlier than 24 hours and no later than 36 hours after the order is posted.
Does a pending rental assistance application stop the eviction? No. LACSN says you can be evicted with a pending application. File your answer anyway.
Will the eviction show on my record? NRS 40.2545 automatically seals summary eviction files in several situations, including when the case is dismissed or denied.
Related Guides
Sources
NRS Chapter 40 (40.253, 40.2545): https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/nrs-040.html
Civil Law Self-Help Center, Responding to an Eviction Notice: https://civillawselfhelpcenter.org/self-help/evictions-housing/evictions/information-for-tenants/89-responding-to-an-eviction-notice
Las Vegas Justice Court, Eviction FAQ: https://www.lasvegasjusticecourt.us/divisions/civil_division/eviction/eviction_faq.php
Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, Eviction Prevention Guide: https://www.lacsn.org/practice-areas/consumer-rights-project/tenant-rights/stay-housed-clark-county
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