Landlord repairs in Nevada

The landlord must keep the unit habitable at all times during the tenancy. A unit is not habitable if it violates housing or health codes on health, safety, sanitation or fitness, or substantially lacks listed basics such as weatherproofing, working plumbing, hot and cold water, heat, electricity, and freedom from vermin. The landlord may not charge the tenant a fee (including a home-warranty deductible) for repairs that are the landlord's duty. (NRS 118A.290)

Nevada law names these:

• effective waterproofing and weather protection of roof, exterior walls, windows and doors
• plumbing in good working order
• approved water supply capable of hot and cold running water, connected to an approved sewage system
• adequate heating facilities
• electrical lighting, outlets, wiring and equipment in good working order
• garbage receptacles and garbage removal
• clean, sanitary premises reasonably free of debris, rodents, insects and vermin
• floors, walls, ceilings, stairways and railings in good repair
• ventilating, air-conditioning and supplied appliances (including elevators) in good repair
• essential items or services the landlord must supply: heat, air-conditioning, running water, hot water, electricity, gas, a functioning door lock

The tenant must deliver a written notice to the landlord specifying each failure and asking for repair. Telling the landlord or submitting a work order is not enough; the Civil Law Self-Help Center advises certified mail, return receipt requested. Notice is excused for damages if the landlord admits knowing of the condition, and for damages or withholding if a code agency already gave the landlord written notice and the landlord missed the agency's deadline. (NRS 118A.355(1), (4); 118A.380(1), (3))

The notice must be in writing. Write a Nevada repair request letter.

Habitability failures: the landlord has 14 days after receiving written notice to remedy or use best efforts to remedy (NRS 118A.355). Repair and deduct: 14 days after written notice, or sooner in an emergency (NRS 118A.360). Essential items or services: 48 hours after receipt of written notice, not counting Saturdays, Sundays or legal holidays (NRS 118A.380).

Urgent problems (2 business days): willful or negligent failure to supply heat, air-conditioning, running water, hot water, electricity, gas, a functioning door lock or another essential item or service, making the unit unfit (48 hours excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays)

Law: NRS 118A.355(1), 118A.360(1), 118A.380(1)

Allowed with limits. If the reasonable cost of repair is less than the greater of $100 or one month's rent, the tenant may give written notice of intent to fix the condition at the landlord's expense. If the landlord does not use best efforts to comply within 14 days (or sooner in an emergency), the tenant may have the work done in a workmanlike manner, give the landlord an itemized statement, and deduct the cost. The lease may require a named qualified repair person or firm. Not allowed for tenant-caused conditions. For missing essential services, the tenant may instead buy reasonable amounts of the service after 48 hours and deduct the actual cost (no stated cap).

Waiting period after notice:

14 days

Limit:

the greater of $100 or one month's rent, within any 12-month period

Law:

NRS 118A.360, 118A.380(1)(a)

Allowed with limits. Habitability: if a material failure is not remedied within 14 days of written notice, the tenant may withhold rent without late fees until the landlord remedies or tries in good faith to remedy. The withheld rent must be deposited in the justice court's escrow account to use it as a defense to eviction. Essential services: after 48 hours (business days) the tenant may withhold rent without late fees until the landlord tries in good faith to restore service, but only if current on rent when notice was given; court deposit is not required for this remedy, per the Civil Law Self-Help Center.

Law:

NRS 118A.355(1)(d), (5); 118A.380(1)(c), (4)

Each justice court must have a local-rule mechanism for tenants to deposit rent withheld for habitability failures into a court-maintained or court-approved escrow account. Without that deposit, withholding is not a defense to eviction. In a nonpayment eviction or rent suit, the court must also require a tenant in possession to deposit rent with the court while the case is pending. (NRS 118A.355(5), 118A.490)

Allowed. If the landlord fails to remedy a material habitability failure, or a lease breach, within 14 days after written notice, the tenant may terminate the lease immediately. The landlord must return prepaid rent and the recoverable deposit. If the landlord willfully interrupts an essential service or unlawfully locks out the tenant, the tenant may also terminate (NRS 118A.390).

Law:

NRS 118A.350(1)(a), 118A.355(1)(a), (3), 118A.390(1)

Actual damages and any court relief the judge finds proper (NRS 118A.355(1)(b)-(c)). For essential-service failures: damages including reduced rental value, or comparable substitute housing with rent fully abating and excess cost recoverable (NRS 118A.380(1)). For willful service interruption or lockout: expedited relief complaint filed within 5 judicial days, actual damages and up to $2,500 (NRS 118A.390). Counterclaim in a nonpayment eviction (NRS 118A.490).

A landlord may not, in retaliation, terminate or refuse to renew a tenancy, raise rent, decrease essential services, or bring or threaten eviction because the tenant in good faith complained to a code agency, complained to the landlord or police of a violation of NRS 118A, joined a tenants' union, or raised habitability in a court or agency proceeding. There is no presumption period. Exceptions include tenant-caused violations, termination for cause, repairs requiring vacancy after a citation, and uniform rent increases. Remedies: defense to eviction plus actual damages and up to $2,500. (NRS 118A.510, 118A.390)

Written notice to the landlord is excused when a governmental agency authorized to inspect for building, housing or health code violations has given the landlord written notice of the condition; the Civil Law Self-Help Center lists local code enforcement agencies on its Housing Resources page.

• A tenant who uses the essential-services remedies (NRS 118A.380) may not also use NRS 118A.350 or 118A.360 for the same breach.
• None of the remedies apply to conditions caused by the tenant, household members or guests, or where the landlord could not repair because the tenant refused lawful access.

• Nevada repair request letter (free, runs in your browser)
• Breaking a lease in Nevada: notice periods and early-termination rights
• Nevada eviction notice rules: what a notice for unpaid rent requires

• NRS Chapter 118A (Landlord and Tenant: Dwellings) Retrieved October 14, 2026.
• Civil Law Self-Help Center (Nevada courts): Habitability and Essential Services Retrieved October 14, 2026.

Laws change. This page was checked against the sources above on October 14, 2026. It is legal information, not legal advice; before withholding rent or ending a lease, contact your state's legal aid. See our methodology.