Rent increases in Nebraska

Nebraska has no statute that sets a rent-increase notice. A landlord changes the rent of a periodic tenancy by giving the notice that ends it: 30 days' written notice before a periodic rental date for month-to-month, 7 days' written notice for week-to-week. (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1437(1)-(2))

No separate rent-increase rule: the periods below are the notice to end a periodic tenancy.

• The notice must be in writing.
• The change can only start at the end of a rental period (on a rent day).

Earliest date the new rent can start, with rent due on the 1st, worked out from the Nebraska rule above:

• For a month-to-month tenant of 1 year raising rent 5% or a month-to-month tenant of 3 years raising rent 12%: Friday, January 1, 2027
• For a week-to-week tenant raising rent 5%: Tuesday, December 1, 2026

No Nebraska statute addresses raising rent during a fixed-term lease.

Since LB 266 (approved April 7, 2025), cities, villages and counties may not enact or enforce any ordinance that has the effect of imposing rent controls on private property, even under a home rule charter. Exceptions: land-use or inclusionary housing rules that add affordable housing, and voluntary contract programs an owner agrees to join. (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 13-331)

A landlord may not retaliate by increasing rent (or cutting services or seeking possession) because the tenant complained to a housing-code agency about a health-and-safety violation or joined or organized a tenants' union. The tenant gets the remedies of § 76-1430 and a defense to eviction. Reasonable rent increases are still allowed. No presumption period is set. (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1439)

• The 30-day month-to-month rule is a termination notice under the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; the notice must name a periodic rental date, so the new rent starts on a rent day.
• Nebraska sets no statewide limit on the amount or frequency of rent increases.

Security deposit

Security, however labeled, may not exceed one month's rent. A separate pet deposit of up to one-fourth of one month's rent is also allowed. The cap does not apply to housing agencies under the Nebraska Housing Agency Act. Return deadline: 14 days after the tenancy terminates.

Tenant's notice to move out

30 days, ending with a rental period

Notice for unpaid rent

7 days (pay or move out)

How a written notice is delivered (eviction-notice rules)

A tenant receives a notice when it comes to the tenant's attention, is delivered in hand, is mailed to the place the tenant designated for notices (or else the last-known residence), or is delivered electronically if the tenant affirmatively consented to electronic delivery (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1413). A landlord may not require consent to electronic delivery as a lease condition (§ 76-1413(9)).

Notice for other lease violations

30 days (fix it or move out)

Small claims court limit

$7,500 — where most deposit and rent disputes are filed.

Repairs

Time to repair: 14 days. Repair and deduct: allowed with limits; withholding rent: not addressed by state law.

Deposit kept wrongly

If the landlord doesn't comply, the tenant recovers the money due, court costs, and reasonable attorney's fees. If the failure is willful and not in good faith, the tenant also gets liquidated damages: one month's rent or twice the deposit, whichever is less (§ 76-1416(3)).

Lawful reasons to end a lease early

Domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking; Military service (state law); Unit unlivable or landlord fails to repair; Landlord harassment or illegal entry; Other

• Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1437 Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1439 Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• Neb. Rev. Stat. § 13-331 Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• LB 266 (2025) slip law Retrieved October 15, 2026.

Laws change. This page was checked against the sources above on October 15, 2026. It is legal information, not legal advice; for a dispute, contact your state's legal aid. See our methodology.