Security Deposit Law in Nevada (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.242): Deadline and Penalty
In Nevada, a landlord has 30 calendar days to return a security deposit. The deadline is measured from this trigger: After the termination of the tenancy. The verified penalty formula is if landlord fails or refuses to return remainder within 30 days: liable for (a) an amount equal to the entire deposit and (b) a court-fixed sum of not more than the amount of the entire deposit; court considers good faith, course of conduct, and degree of harm when setting the additional sum under Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.242.
Key facts
| Deadline | 30 calendar days |
|---|---|
| Deadline trigger | after the termination of the tenancy |
| Penalty formula | if landlord fails or refuses to return remainder within 30 days: liable for (a) an amount equal to the entire deposit and (b) a court-fixed sum of not more than the amount of the entire deposit; court considers good faith, course of conduct, and degree of harm when setting the additional sum |
| Bad faith required | No |
| Statute citation | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.242 |
Statute says
Upon termination of the tenancy by either party for any reason, the landlord may claim of the security or surety bond, or a combination thereof, only such amounts as are reasonably necessary to remedy any default of the tenant in the payment of rent, to repair damages to the premises caused by the tenant other than normal wear and to pay the reasonable costs of cleaning the premises. The landlord shall provide the tenant with an itemized written accounting of the disposition of the security or surety bond, or a combination thereof, and return any remaining portion of the security to the tenant no later than 30 days after the termination of the tenancy by handing it to the tenant personally at the place where the rent is paid, or by mailing it to the tenant at the tenant's present address or, if that address is unknown, at the tenant's last known address.
What this means
Read the deadline, trigger, and penalty together. Match the date you can prove to the trigger above, then compare the landlord's response to the rule in Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.242.
Free Nevada template, built from verified state data
I rented [rental property address] from [lease start date] to [move-out date]. I paid a security deposit of $[amount]. I returned the keys on [date] and gave you my forwarding address in writing on [date]. Under Nevada law (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.242), a landlord must return the deposit or send a written, itemized list of deductions within 30 calendar days after the termination of the tenancy.
FAQ
Does Las Vegas have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Nevada law.
What is the small claims limit in Nevada?
See the applicable court limits and jurisdictions in the state court guide. Nevada small claims courts and filing fees
What happens if a landlord misses the Nevada deposit deadline?
The verified penalty formula is if landlord fails or refuses to return remainder within 30 days: liable for (a) an amount equal to the entire deposit and (b) a court-fixed sum of not more than the amount of the entire deposit; court considers good faith, course of conduct, and degree of harm when setting the additional sum under Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.242. Keep the move-out date, forwarding address records, and any itemized statement before you act.
Does a demand letter change the legal deadline?
No. The deadline is still 30 calendar days. The deadline trigger is After the termination of the tenancy. A letter documents the timeline and asks the landlord to resolve the deposit before the next step.
If the deadline passed
Send a letter that documents the demand and keeps your record tied to the verified Nevada deadline.
If the landlord stays silent, review landlord ignoring the deadline before choosing the next step.