Tenant Rights in Boulder City, Nevada

Key Takeaways

  • None — prohibited statewide by NRS § 118B.225
  • Capped at 3 months' rent; must be returned within 30 days with itemized statement; wrongful withholding = 2× withheld amount + attorney's fees (NRS § 118A.242)
  • At least 30 days' written notice required to terminate a month-to-month tenancy (NRS § 40.251)
  • No just-cause requirement in Boulder City; landlords may terminate month-to-month tenancies with proper notice
  • Nevada Legal Services, Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, Clark County Courts Self-Help Center

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1. Overview: Tenant Rights in Boulder City

Boulder City is a small, historically unique city in Clark County, Nevada — one of the only Nevada municipalities that prohibits casinos within its limits. With a population of roughly 16,000, Boulder City has a mix of long-term owner-occupants and renters who rely on state law for all of their tenant protections. Because Nevada law governs the landlord-tenant relationship statewide, renters here have the same core rights as those in Las Vegas or Henderson.

Renters in Boulder City most commonly ask about rent increases, security deposit returns, and what to do when a landlord fails to make repairs. The answers all flow from the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) Chapter 118A, which sets the rules for residential rentals across the state. There are no local Boulder City ordinances that add to or modify those state protections.

This page summarizes the tenant rights that apply to Boulder City renters under Nevada law. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you are facing an eviction, dispute over a deposit, or habitability problem, consult a licensed Nevada attorney or contact one of the legal aid organizations listed at the bottom of this page.

2. Does Boulder City Have Rent Control?

Boulder City has no rent control, and Nevada state law makes it illegal for any city or county to enact one. NRS § 118B.225 expressly prohibits local governments from adopting any ordinance that controls the rental rates charged for private residential housing. This prohibition applies to Boulder City, Las Vegas, Henderson, Reno, and every other Nevada municipality.

In practical terms, this means your landlord can raise your rent by any dollar amount at any time — as long as they give you proper written notice before the increase takes effect. For month-to-month tenants, Nevada law requires at least 30 days' written notice before a rent increase or tenancy termination under NRS § 40.251. For fixed-term leases, rent cannot be raised until the lease expires unless the lease itself allows mid-term increases.

The only partial exception under Nevada law involves manufactured home parks, which have separate statutory protections under NRS Chapter 118B, including notice requirements for rent increases. If you rent a space in a manufactured home park in Boulder City, those additional rules may apply to you.

3. Nevada State Tenant Protections That Apply in Boulder City

Nevada's Landlord and Tenant Act (NRS Chapter 118A) provides Boulder City renters with a set of baseline protections that landlords cannot waive by contract.

Habitability (NRS § 118A.290): Landlords must maintain rental units in a habitable condition — meaning functioning plumbing, heat, electrical systems, structurally safe premises, and freedom from conditions that endanger health or safety. This duty cannot be waived in the lease.

Repairs & Remedies (NRS § 118A.355): If a landlord fails to make a required repair after receiving written notice, they have 14 days to fix the problem (or 48 hours for an emergency condition affecting health or safety). If the landlord still fails to act, tenants may pursue repair-and-deduct (up to one month's rent), withhold rent, or terminate the lease — depending on the severity of the issue. Tenants must follow the specific statutory procedures to use these remedies.

Notice to Terminate Tenancy (NRS § 40.251): A landlord must give a month-to-month tenant at least 30 days' written notice to terminate the tenancy or raise the rent. A tenant must give the landlord the same 30 days' notice before vacating.

Anti-Retaliation (NRS § 118A.510): A landlord may not increase rent, decrease services, threaten eviction, or take any adverse action against a tenant in retaliation for reporting code violations, contacting a government agency, or exercising any legal right. A retaliatory act within 60 days of a protected action is presumed retaliatory under Nevada law.

Lockout & Utility Shutoff Prohibition (NRS § 118A.390): Landlords are forbidden from using self-help eviction tactics — including changing locks, removing doors, or intentionally shutting off utilities — to force a tenant out. A landlord who violates this law may be liable for the tenant's actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney's fees.

4. Security Deposit Rules in Boulder City

Nevada's security deposit rules are governed by NRS § 118A.242 and apply to all Boulder City rentals.

Cap: A landlord may not collect a security deposit exceeding three months' rent. This cap applies to the total of all deposits combined, including any pet deposit.

Return Deadline: After a tenant moves out, the landlord has 30 days to either return the full deposit or mail the tenant an itemized written statement explaining each deduction, along with any remaining balance. Deductions are only permitted for unpaid rent, cleaning costs beyond normal wear and tear, and damage caused by the tenant beyond normal wear and tear.

Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord wrongfully withholds all or part of the deposit without following the proper procedure, the tenant is entitled to receive twice the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees, under NRS § 118A.242(4). Courts have interpreted this as a strong deterrent against bad-faith withholding.

Practical Tip: Document the unit's condition with date-stamped photos at move-in and move-out, and provide your landlord with a written forwarding address when you vacate — the 30-day clock begins running from the date of move-out or surrender of the premises.

5. Eviction Process and Your Rights in Boulder City

Evictions in Boulder City follow the Nevada summary eviction process set out in NRS Chapter 40. Landlords must follow every step of this process; there are no legal shortcuts.

Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing anything in court, the landlord must serve the tenant with a written notice. The type and length of notice depends on the reason for eviction:

Step 2 — Filing in Justice Court: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an eviction complaint in Clark County Justice Court. The tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to file a written answer within the time stated on the summons.

Step 3 — Hearing: A hearing is scheduled, typically within a few days to a week after the answer is filed. Both sides may present evidence. If the court rules for the landlord, it issues a Judgment for Possession.

Step 4 — Lockout Order: After judgment, the court issues an Order for Removal. A constable or sheriff then posts a 24-hour lockout notice at the rental unit. If the tenant has not vacated by the end of that period, the constable may physically remove the tenant and their belongings.

Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: Under NRS § 118A.390, a landlord who changes locks, removes doors or windows, shuts off utilities, or takes any other self-help measure to force a tenant out without a court order is breaking Nevada law and may face liability for actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney's fees.

6. Resources for Boulder City Tenants

The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws can change, and local court interpretations may vary. The statutes cited here reflect Nevada law as understood in April 2026; always verify current law with an attorney or a qualified legal aid organization before taking action. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and no attorney-client relationship is created by reading this page. If you have a specific legal problem — including an eviction, a security deposit dispute, or a habitability issue — please contact Nevada Legal Services, the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, or a licensed Nevada attorney for advice tailored to your situation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Boulder City have rent control?
No. Boulder City has no rent control, and Nevada state law prohibits any city or county from enacting one. Under NRS § 118B.225, local governments are expressly barred from adopting ordinances that control private residential rents. This means landlords in Boulder City can charge market-rate rents and raise them by any amount, provided they give proper advance notice.
How much can my landlord raise my rent in Boulder City?
There is no limit on how much a landlord can raise rent in Boulder City. Because Nevada law (NRS § 118B.225) prohibits rent control statewide, landlords may increase rent by any dollar amount. For month-to-month tenants, the landlord must give at least 30 days' written notice before the increase takes effect under NRS § 40.251. If you have a fixed-term lease, your rent generally cannot be increased until the lease term ends unless the lease explicitly allows mid-term increases.
How long does my landlord have to return my security deposit in Boulder City?
Your landlord has 30 days after you move out to return your security deposit or mail you an itemized written statement of deductions along with any remaining balance, as required by NRS § 118A.242. If the landlord wrongfully withholds any portion without proper justification, you may be entitled to twice the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney's fees. Always provide a written forwarding address when you vacate so the 30-day deadline is clear.
What notice does my landlord need before evicting me in Boulder City?
The required notice depends on the reason for eviction. For nonpayment of rent, the landlord must give you a 7-day notice to pay or quit under NRS § 40.253. For a lease violation, you must receive a 5-day notice to cure or quit under NRS § 40.2516. For a no-cause termination of a month-to-month tenancy, the landlord must give at least 30 days' written notice under NRS § 40.251. For nuisance or illegal activity, only a 3-day notice is required under NRS § 40.2514.
Can my landlord lock me out or shut off utilities in Boulder City?
No. Self-help eviction is illegal in Nevada. Under NRS § 118A.390, a landlord who changes your locks, removes doors or windows, shuts off utilities, or takes any other action designed to force you out without a court order is breaking state law. If your landlord does this, you may be entitled to recover your actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney's fees. Contact the Clark County Justice Court or legal aid immediately if this happens to you.
What can I do if my landlord refuses to make repairs in Boulder City?
Under NRS § 118A.355, landlords must maintain rental units in a habitable condition and must make repairs within 14 days of receiving written notice from the tenant (or 48 hours for emergency conditions affecting health or safety). If your landlord fails to act within those timeframes, Nevada law allows you — depending on the severity of the issue — to hire a contractor and deduct the cost from rent (up to one month's rent), withhold rent until repairs are made, or terminate the lease. You must follow the specific statutory procedures carefully; contact a legal aid organization before taking any of these steps.

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