Las Vegas Security Deposits: Nevada's 30-Day Return Rule
Nevada gives landlords 30 days after a tenancy ends to hand back your deposit or explain, in writing and item by item, why they kept it. If they miss that deadline, the law lets a judge award you the entire deposit plus up to the same amount again. Here's how the rule works for Las Vegas renters, and how to use it without hiring a lawyer.
AT A GLANCE
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Start with the math: what your landlord was allowed to collect
Before you think about getting money back, check whether you were overcharged at move-in. Nevada caps the total security at three months of "periodic rent." For a month-to-month or fixed-term lease, that's the monthly rent. For a week-to-week tenancy, it's the weekly amount (NRS 118A.125).
The Civil Law Self-Help Center, which Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada runs under a contract with Clark County, gives a simple example. With rent of $850 a month, the most a landlord can demand or receive is $2,550.
Monthly rent | Maximum total security (3 months) |
|---|---|
$1,000 | $3,000 |
$1,250 | $3,750 |
$1,500 | $4,500 |
$1,800 | $5,400 |
The cap covers more than the line on your lease labeled "deposit." Under NRS 118A.240, any payment, deposit, fee or charge used to cover unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear, or cleaning counts as security. A "move-in fee" or "cleaning fee" that does one of those jobs is part of the total, and it's governed by the same refund rules.
The only nonrefundable piece
A lease can't call your security "nonrefundable" and can't waive your deposit rights. The one exception is a nonrefundable cleaning charge in a reasonable amount. Any other clause that tries to keep your money no matter what is void (NRS 118A.242(8)).
Ask for a receipt
If you ask, the landlord must give you a signed written receipt for the deposit, a surety bond, rent, and any other payment or fee. Under NRS 118A.250, a tenant may refuse to make rent payments until the landlord hands over the requested receipt. Use that right carefully and in writing, since withholding rent for other reasons can lead to an eviction filing.
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The 30-day rule, step by step
The clock in NRS 118A.242(4) starts when the tenancy ends. That's true whether you gave notice, the lease ran out, or you were evicted. Within 30 days the landlord has to do two things:
Send an itemized, written accounting of how the deposit (or surety bond) was used.
Return any remaining balance.
The law spells out how the landlord must deliver it. They can hand it to you in person where rent is paid, or mail it to your present address. If they don't know your present address, they can mail it to your last known address, which is often the unit you just left. That's why giving a forwarding address matters so much. Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada's move-out guide tells tenants to put the new address in the notice to vacate, or say one will follow, if the refund will come by mail.
If the landlord keeps your deposit past day 30, Nevada lets the court award the whole deposit and up to the whole deposit again.
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What a landlord can deduct, and what counts as normal wear
NRS 118A.242(4) limits deductions to amounts "reasonably necessary" for three purposes. Here's how they play out at move-out:
Category | Allowed | Not allowed |
|---|---|---|
Rent | Rent that was past due when the tenancy ended | Rent for months after a lawful lease termination |
Damage | Repairs for damage caused by you, your household or your guests | Deterioration that happens without negligence, carelessness or abuse (normal wear) |
Cleaning | Reasonable costs to clean the unit | Unreasonable cleaning charges, or keeping more than one reasonable nonrefundable cleaning fee |
Nevada defines normal wear in NRS 118A.110 as deterioration that happens without negligence, carelessness or abuse by the tenant, a household member or someone on the premises with the tenant's consent. Legal Aid Center gives a common example of a charge to fight: being billed to replace a carpet that only shows normal wear and tear.
Your move-in record matters
Every written Nevada lease is supposed to include a signed record of the inventory and condition of the parts of the unit under your control (NRS 118A.200(3)(k)). Find your copy. If you never got one, and there's no written lease at all, the law presumes that, apart from normal wear, the unit was to be returned in the same condition it was in when the tenancy began (NRS 118A.200(5)(d)). Either way, the comparison between move-in and move-out is what the judge will look at.
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Moving out the way Legal Aid recommends
Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada's moving-out guide lists a practical routine. Here it is in order:
Give written notice. Follow the notice period in your lease. If it says nothing, the guide suggests 7 days' notice for a week-to-week tenancy and 30 days' for a month-to-month tenancy. A letter, text or email works, but keep a copy and proof that you sent it.
Clean. Dust, vacuum, mop, and wipe down appliances. Check the lease for extras such as changing A/C filters.
Fix what you damaged. Fill holes in the walls and treat carpet stains.
Schedule a walkthrough a few days before you leave, and ask what you'd need to fix or clean to get the full deposit back.
Record everything. Take a video walking through the whole unit, plus close-up photos.
Return every key, including copies, the mailbox key, garage remotes, and pool or laundry keys. Ask for a receipt. If you can't hand them over in person, send them by certified mail with a return receipt.
Close your utility accounts. The guide suggests asking NV Energy to turn off service in your name the day after you move out.
Send your forwarding address if the refund will come by mail.
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Day 31: when the money or the list doesn't arrive
If 30 days have passed and you've received neither the refund nor an itemized accounting, NRS 118A.242(6) makes the landlord liable for:
An amount equal to the entire security deposit, and
An additional sum set by the court, up to the amount of the entire deposit.
Note the wording: the base award is the entire deposit, not just the portion that went missing. The second amount is up to the judge. Under NRS 118A.242(7), the court weighs whether the landlord acted in good faith, the course of dealing between you and the landlord, and how much harm the landlord's conduct caused you. Clear records of your forwarding address and your attempts to resolve things help on all three.
If you got a list but disagree with it, Legal Aid Center recommends two steps:
Write a demand letter explaining exactly which charges you dispute and why, and stating the amount you want returned.
File in small claims court if the landlord ignores the letter or refuses to pay.
If the building was sold
When a landlord's interest ends, through a sale, foreclosure or otherwise, NRS 118A.244 requires the old landlord to either return your deposit (minus allowed deductions) or transfer it to the new owner and tell you in writing who that is. The successor takes on the former landlord's obligations for the deposit. It must accept your existing deposit and can't demand a new one during the lease term. The Self-Help Center notes that this transfer often doesn't happen in practice, and that you can sue the new owner if needed.
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Small claims in Las Vegas Justice Court
Deposit cases fit small claims well. NRS 73.010 gives justice courts small claims jurisdiction over claims for money only, up to $10,000. You file in the township where the landlord lives, works or does business, or where the lease obligation was to be performed. Clark County has eleven justice courts organized by township, and Las Vegas, Henderson and North Las Vegas each have their own forms and procedures.
Item | What the court and Self-Help Center say |
|---|---|
Limit | Money claims up to $10,000. If you're owed more, you give up anything above that. You can't split one claim into several cases. |
Filing fee | Based on the amount claimed. The Self-Help Center lists $66 for claims up to $1,000, $86 up to $2,500, $106 up to $5,000, $146 up to $7,500, and $196 up to $10,000. |
Fee waiver | If you can't afford the fee, you can apply to have it waived. Each township has its own application. |
Filing method | Las Vegas Justice Court requires e-filing for civil cases. You can e-file from anywhere for a fee, or e-file at the court without an e-filing fee. |
Service | Each defendant must be served at least 14 business days before the trial or mediation. When suing a landlord, you may be able to serve the property manager or the agent who signed the lease (NRS 118A.260). |
Who serves | The Self-Help Center recommends the Constable's office, which charges a fee. Anyone else must be over 18 and not a party to the case. |
Court location | Regional Justice Center, 200 Lewis Avenue, Las Vegas, 2nd floor. The Civil Division is open Monday through Thursday, 7 AM to 5 PM, and closed Fridays. |
Decide the exact amount before you file. The judge can award less than you ask for but never more. For a deposit case, list the deposit, subtract any deductions you agree with, and add the statutory damages you're asking the court to award. Bring the lease, the receipt, your photos, and proof of your forwarding address.
Free help is close by. The Civil Law Self-Help Center is on the 1st floor of the Regional Justice Center. It's open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, and Fridays, 8 AM to 4 PM. It offers forms, flowcharts and a free small claims class in English and Spanish. Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada also runs Ask-A-Lawyer phone sessions for small claims questions. Its main office is at 725 E. Charleston Blvd., and the phone number is (702) 386-1070.
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Before you call
☐ Your lease, and the signed inventory and condition record from move-in
☐ Your deposit receipt, or bank records showing the payment
☐ The date your tenancy ended and proof you returned the keys
☐ A copy of your notice to vacate and your forwarding address, with proof you sent them
☐ Move-in and move-out photos and video
☐ Any itemized accounting the landlord sent, and the envelope it came in
☐ The landlord's or property manager's name and address, from the written disclosure required by NRS 118A.260
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEK
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More help in Las Vegas
Related guides
Official sources
Last checked: October 23, 2026. Deposit rules come from NRS Chapter 118A on the Nevada Legislature's website. Court limits, fees and hours come from Las Vegas Justice Court and the Civil Law Self-Help Center.
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