Learn what penalties apply when a Nevada landlord fails to return your security deposit on time or makes improper deductions.
Analyze My Nevada Claim (Free)Law verified March 1, 2026
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Check My DepositUnder Nev. Rev. Stat. §118A.242(5), if your Nevada landlord misses the deposit return deadline, they forfeit the right to withhold any portion of your deposit. This means even if some deductions might have been legitimate, a landlord who misses the deadline loses the ability to keep anything. Full deposit returned; court may award additional damages.
The forfeiture is automatic. No need to prove intent or bad faith. Once the 30-day clock expires, your landlord's right to withhold anything is gone. It doesn't matter if a deduction might have been legitimate before the deadline.
Penalty
Under Nev. Rev. Stat. §118A.242(5), if your Nevada landlord misses the deposit return deadline, they forfeit the right to withhold any portion of your deposit. This means even if some deductions might have been legitimate, a landlord who misses the deadline loses the ability to keep anything. Full deposit returned; court may award additional damages.
The forfeiture is automatic. No need to prove intent or bad faith. Once the 30-day clock expires, your landlord's right to withhold anything is gone. It doesn't matter if a deduction might have been legitimate before the deadline.
Nev. Rev. Stat. §118A.242(5)
To recover penalties under Nev. Rev. Stat. §118A.242(5), you generally need to: document the move-out date and the missed deadline, send a written demand letter citing the statute, and, if necessary, file in Nevada small claims court (up to $10,000).
A demand letter that specifically cites Nev. Rev. Stat. §118A.242(5) and calculates the potential Full deposit forfeiture often prompts landlords to settle without going to court.
Questions
Your Nevada landlord has 30 days after your move-out date to return your security deposit along with an itemized statement of any deductions. This deadline is set by Nev. Rev. Stat. §118A.242.
If your landlord misses the 30-day deadline, they forfeit the right to withhold any portion of your deposit under Nev. Rev. Stat. §118A.242(5), even deductions that might otherwise have been valid.
No. Nevada law under Nev. Rev. Stat. §118A.242 explicitly prohibits landlords from deducting for normal wear and tear. This includes faded paint, minor scuffs, small nail holes, and carpet thinning from regular use. Deductions must be for actual damage beyond what normal living causes.
Your landlord forfeits the right to any deductions under Nev. Rev. Stat. §118A.242(5). You recover the full deposit even if some charges might have been legitimate.
No. The penalty under Nev. Rev. Stat. §118A.242(5) applies automatically when the 30-day deadline is missed. Intent is not required.
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