When The Landlord Will Not Fix It
NRS 118A.355 and NRS 118A.380 — 14 days' written notice for habitability, 48 hours for heat, water or a lock
A Nevada landlord keeps the unit habitable throughout the tenancy. It is not habitable if it violates housing or health codes or substantially lacks weatherproofing, working plumbing, hot and cold running water, adequate heat, safe electrical systems, garbage receptacles, clean and pest-free common areas, floors, stairs and railings in good repair, or the air-conditioning and appliances the landlord supplies. The landlord may not charge the tenant for repairs that are the landlord's duty.
14 days. For a failure to keep the unit habitable, the tenant gives written notice of each failure. If the landlord does not remedy a material failure, or make best efforts to, within 14 days, the tenant may terminate the agreement immediately, recover actual damages, ask the court for relief, or withhold rent without late fees until the landlord remedies or tries in good faith.
Withheld rent is a defense to eviction only if the tenant deposits it into the escrow account the justice court provides.
48 hours for an essential service. Where the landlord willfully or negligently fails to supply heat, air-conditioning, running water, hot water, electricity, gas, a working door lock or another essential service, making the place unfit, and does not remedy it within 48 hours of written notice, weekends and holidays excepted, the tenant may buy the service and deduct the cost, recover damages, withhold rent while current on rent, or find comparable housing while the rent abates.
For a smaller repair costing less than $100 or one month's rent, whichever is greater, the tenant who gave written notice may have the work done after 14 days and deduct the reasonable cost from rent, up to that amount in any 12-month period.
None of these remedies reaches a condition the tenant, the household or a guest caused deliberately or negligently. A landlord may require that repairs be done by named qualified people. Applying them to a particular unit is for a court and a licensed Nevada attorney.
Sources for this section (4)
- NRS 118A.290 — Habitability of dwelling unit
- NRS 118A.355 — Failure of landlord to maintain dwelling unit in habitable condition
- NRS 118A.380 — Failure of landlord to supply essential items or services
- NRS 118A.360 — Failure of landlord to comply with rental agreement or maintain dwelling unit in habitable condition where cost of compliance less than specified amount
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Nevada attorney.