Nevada Revised Statutes Section 118A.242 - Property Rights and Transactions

Security: Limitation on amount or value; duties and liability of landlord; damages; prohibited provisions.

1. The landlord may not demand or receive security, including the last month’s rent, whose total amount or value exceeds 3 months’ periodic rent.

2. Upon termination of the tenancy by either party for any reason, the landlord may claim of the security 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 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 him personally at the place where the rent is paid, or by mailing it to him at his present address, or if that address is unknown, at the tenant’s last known address.

3. If the landlord fails or refuses to return the remainder of a security deposit within 30 days after the end of a tenancy, he 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.

4. In determining the sum, if any, to be awarded under paragraph (b) of subsection 3, the court shall consider:

(a) Whether the landlord acted in good faith;

(b) The course of conduct between the landlord and the tenant; and

(c) The degree of harm to the tenant caused by the landlord’s conduct.

5. Except for an agreement which provides for a nonrefundable charge for cleaning, in a reasonable amount, no rental agreement may contain any provision characterizing any security under this section as nonrefundable or any provision waiving or modifying a tenant’s rights under this section. Any such provision is void as contrary to public policy.

6. The claim of a tenant to security to which he is entitled under this chapter takes precedence over the claim of any creditor of the landlord.

Last modified: February 27, 2006