LAS VEGAS — Nevada law requires landlords to return security deposits within 30 days, but many renters in Las Vegas report delays and disputed deductions.
Under Nevada Revised Statutes 118A.242, landlords must return any remaining deposit and provide an itemized written account explaining any deductions no later than 30 days after a tenancy ends.
Common disputes arise over what constitutes “normal wear and tear” and damage. “Normal wear and tear” is minor scuffs, faded paint, and gently worn carpets, whereas broken appliances or holes in the walls are considered damage. Other common disputes include cleaning fees. Landlords may charge tenants cleaning fees only if the property is left dirtier than when the tenant moved in.
With deposits often totaling thousands of dollars, delays can have significant financial consequences, affecting a renter’s ability to secure new housing or cover basic expenses, especially during the rising cost of living. Nevada has the second-highest rate of cost-burdened renters nationwide, where 57 percent of renters are paying more than 30 percent of their income towards rent.
Experts recommend that tenants who believe their deposit was wrongfully withheld request documentation or file a claim in small claims court.
Despite clear legal protections, disputes over deposits remain common in Nevada’s rental market.
