Nevada Small Claims Court for a Security Deposit
Limits: $10,000 (Justice Court small claims (NRS 73.010) only). Court: Justice Court (small claims). Limitation period listed in our state data: 4 years. Filing fees vary by county; service costs may be extra. See the table. E-filing verified in 0/21 counties. Typical demand-letter response window: 30 days.
County court coverage and fees
21 listed counties · E-filing: Yes 0, No 0, Not verified 21
Deposit return deadlines
- 30 calendar days after the termination of the tenancy.
From a letter to court
- Send a Nevada security deposit demand letter stating the deposit amount supported by your records.
- Before you file: review the deposit return deadlines above and allow the typical response window of 30 days after your letter.
- Time limit to sue in Nevada: 4 years.
- Check the court's filing instructions. Keep your lease, payment records, photos, letter, and proof of delivery ready.
How to file
Forms: Court forms and filing information
File online: Varies by county
Attorneys allowed: Yes
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.
Key facts
| Small claims limit | $10,000 (Justice Court small claims (NRS 73.010) only) |
|---|---|
| Court | Justice Court (small claims) |
| Limitation period listed in our state data | 4 years |
| Bad faith required | No |
| Itemization required | Yes |
What you can recover
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.
County small claims courts
| County | Court and city | Limit | Filing fee | E-filing | Court link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clark | Las Vegas Justice Court, Las Vegas | $10,000 | Statewide filing fee: Confirm current filing and service fees with the justice court clerk. | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Washoe | Reno Justice Court, Reno | $10,000 | Statewide filing fee: Confirm current filing and service fees with the justice court clerk. | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Lyon | Canal Township Justice Court, Fernley | $10,000 | Statewide filing fee: Confirm current filing and service fees with the justice court clerk. | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Carson City | Carson City Justice Court, Carson City | $10,000 | Statewide filing fee: Confirm current filing and service fees with the justice court clerk. | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Elko | Elko Township Justice Court, Elko | $10,000 | Statewide filing fee: Confirm current filing and service fees with the justice court clerk. | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Clark County | Clark County Justice Court - Small Claims, Las Vegas | $10,000 (Justice Court small claims (NRS 73.010) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Washoe County | Washoe County Justice Court - Small Claims, Reno | $10,000 (Justice Court small claims (NRS 73.010) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Lyon County | Lyon County Justice Court - Small Claims, Yerington | $10,000 (Justice Court small claims (NRS 73.010) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Nye County | Nye County Justice Court - Small Claims, Tonopah | $10,000 (Justice Court small claims (NRS 73.010) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Elko County | Elko County Justice Court - Small Claims, Elko | $10,000 (Justice Court small claims (NRS 73.010) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Douglas County | Douglas County Justice Court - Small Claims, Minden | $10,000 (Justice Court small claims (NRS 73.010) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Churchill County | Churchill County Justice Court - Small Claims, Fallon | $10,000 (Justice Court small claims (NRS 73.010) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Humboldt County | Humboldt County Justice Court - Small Claims, Winnemucca | $10,000 (Justice Court small claims (NRS 73.010) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| White Pine County | White Pine County Justice Court - Small Claims, Ely | $10,000 (Justice Court small claims (NRS 73.010) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Pershing County | Pershing County Justice Court - Small Claims, Lovelock | $10,000 (Justice Court small claims (NRS 73.010) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Lander County | Lander County Justice Court - Small Claims, Battle Mountain | $10,000 (Justice Court small claims (NRS 73.010) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Mineral County | Mineral County Justice Court - Small Claims, Hawthorne | $10,000 (Justice Court small claims (NRS 73.010) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Lincoln County | Lincoln County Justice Court - Small Claims, Pioche | $10,000 (Justice Court small claims (NRS 73.010) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Storey County | Storey County Justice Court - Small Claims, Virginia City | $10,000 (Justice Court small claims (NRS 73.010) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Eureka County | Eureka County Justice Court - Small Claims, Eureka | $10,000 (Justice Court small claims (NRS 73.010) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Esmeralda County | Esmeralda County Justice Court - Small Claims, Goldfield | $10,000 (Justice Court small claims (NRS 73.010) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
Detailed guides for 21 counties
Statute says
If the landlord fails or refuses to return the remainder of a security deposit within 30 days after the end of a tenancy, the landlord is liable to the tenant for damages: (a) In an amount equal to the entire deposit; and (b) For a sum to be fixed by the court of not more than the amount of the entire deposit.
What this means
Tenant resources
- Nevada Legal Serviceslegal aid
- Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevadalegal aid in Las Vegas
- Northern Nevada Legal Aidlegal aid in Reno
- Civil Law Self-Help Centercourt self help in Las Vegas
- Nevada Attorney General Bureau of Consumer Protectionag consumer
FAQ
What is the small claims limit in Nevada?
$10,000 (Justice Court small claims (NRS 73.010) only)
What is the statute of limitations?
Limitation period listed in our state data: 4 years.
Can I recover more than my deposit?
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.
Which court handles the claim?
Justice Court (small claims)
Should I send a demand letter first?
First listed deposit return deadline: 30 calendar days after the termination of the tenancy. Typical response window after a demand letter: 30 days.