Nevada's main residential security deposit statute is NRS 118A.242. It sets the three-month deposit and surety-bond cap, the 30-day return and accounting rule, the allowed deduction categories, and the court remedy for noncompliance.
Official Nevada sources
Always verify the current statute text and current court procedure before filing or relying on a deadline in court.
NRS 118A.242: deposit and surety-bond cap
Nevada generally limits the total value of the security deposit and any surety bond to three months' periodic rent. If a surety bond is used, keep the bond paperwork because Nevada treats bond alternatives as part of the security deposit structure.
NRS 118A.242: deductions
Upon termination of the tenancy, the landlord may claim only amounts reasonably necessary for rent default, repairing tenant-caused damage other than normal wear, and reasonable cleaning costs.
In plain English, the landlord needs more than a vague complaint. The accounting should connect the money kept to an allowed category.
NRS 118A.242: accounting and refund deadline
The landlord must provide an itemized written accounting and return any remaining part of the deposit no later than 30 days after termination of the tenancy.
Delivery may be made personally at the place where rent is paid or by mail to the tenant's present address or last known address. That is why a written current-address notice and delivery proof are useful.
NRS 118A.242: damages and court discretion
If the landlord fails or refuses to return the remainder of the deposit within the 30-day period, the tenant can seek damages in an amount equal to the entire security deposit and an additional amount fixed by the court of not more than the amount of the deposit.
The additional amount is court-fixed, and the court may consider whether the landlord acted in good faith. The cleaner demand is to ask for the deposit balance and preserve the additional court-fixed remedy where the facts support it.
Nevada court and self-help resources
- State of Nevada Self-Help Center
- Nevada Courts small claims information
- Nevada court forms and filing basics
These links are official court resources, not a complete filing manual. Local Justice Court filing steps, forms, fees, and procedures can still vary, so confirm current instructions before filing.
Plain-English guides for these procedures
- Nevada 30-day deadline guide
- What to do if your Nevada deposit is not returned
- Nevada move-out checklist
- Nevada security deposit demand letter
The free guide above explains the Nevada statute. The paid system gives you the Nevada-specific letters in order, so you are not guessing what to send next.
Get the Deposit Recovery SystemImportant: This page provides general information and is not legal advice.