Last updated: April 2026
Reno renters are protected by Nevada state law on security deposits, habitability, and eviction — but there is no rent control in the city or anywhere in Nevada. Here is what you need to know.
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Reno is Nevada's second-largest city and one of the fastest-growing rental markets in the American West. Located in Washoe County, Reno's renter population has expanded rapidly alongside a surge in housing costs driven by tech industry growth and migration from higher-cost states. Renters in Reno frequently search for information about rent increase limits, security deposit rules, and what to do when a landlord fails to make repairs — all governed exclusively by Nevada state law.
Unlike some states, Nevada does not allow cities or counties to create their own tenant protections beyond what state law provides. That means Reno renters rely entirely on the Nevada Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (NRS Chapter 118A) for their core protections. These include caps on security deposits, habitability standards, anti-retaliation rules, and a formal eviction process that prohibits self-help evictions such as lockouts or utility shutoffs.
This page summarizes the tenant rights that apply to Reno renters under Nevada law. It is intended as an informational resource only and does not constitute legal advice. If you are facing an eviction or a dispute with your landlord, contact a qualified attorney or a legal aid organization serving Washoe County.
Reno has no rent control, and Nevada law explicitly prohibits any city or county from enacting rent control ordinances. Under NRS § 118B.225, local governments in Nevada are barred from passing any ordinance that controls the amount of rent charged for private residential rental units. This preemption applies statewide, meaning neither the City of Reno nor Washoe County has any authority to cap rent increases, require rent registration, or impose rent stabilization of any kind.
In practical terms, this means your landlord in Reno can raise your rent by any dollar amount — there is no percentage cap, no annual limit, and no requirement to justify a rent increase. The only constraint is the notice requirement: for a month-to-month tenancy, a landlord must provide at least 30 days' written notice before a rent increase takes effect under NRS § 40.251. For fixed-term leases, the rent cannot be raised until the lease expires, unless the lease itself allows for mid-term increases.
Nevada's rent control prohibition does not apply to manufactured home parks, which have separate and distinct protections under NRS Chapter 118B. If you live in a mobile home or manufactured home park in Reno, contact Nevada Legal Services for guidance specific to your situation.
Nevada's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (NRS Chapter 118A) establishes the baseline protections that apply to all Reno renters. Key protections include:
Habitability (NRS § 118A.290 & § 118A.355): Landlords are legally required to maintain rental units in a habitable condition — meaning functioning plumbing, heating, electrical systems, weather-tight structure, and freedom from pest infestations. If your landlord fails to make a required repair, you must provide written notice. After written notice, the landlord has 14 days to begin repairs for standard defects, or 48 hours for emergency conditions that endanger health or safety. If the landlord does not comply, tenants may pursue remedies including repair-and-deduct (for costs up to one month's rent) or termination of the lease under NRS § 118A.355.
Security Deposit Rules (NRS § 118A.242): Landlords may collect a security deposit of no more than 3 months' rent. Within 30 days of move-out, the landlord must return the deposit along with an itemized written statement of any deductions. Wrongful withholding entitles the tenant to twice the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees.
Notice to Terminate (NRS § 40.251): For month-to-month tenancies, the landlord must provide at least 30 days' written notice before terminating the tenancy. Tenants must provide the same notice to the landlord when they choose to vacate.
Anti-Retaliation Protection (NRS § 118A.510): A landlord may not increase rent, decrease services, or initiate eviction proceedings in retaliation for a tenant reporting housing code violations, contacting a government agency about the rental unit, or exercising any other legal right. Retaliatory conduct within 60 days of a protected tenant action is presumed retaliatory under Nevada law.
Lockout & Utility Shutoff Prohibition (NRS § 118A.390): Self-help eviction is illegal in Nevada. A landlord who changes your locks, removes your belongings, or intentionally shuts off electricity, water, or other utilities to force you out may be liable to you for actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney's fees. If this happens, you may apply to a court for an order restoring your access to the unit.
Nevada law places firm limits on security deposits and requires landlords to follow specific procedures when a tenant moves out. These rules are governed by NRS § 118A.242.
Deposit Cap: A landlord in Reno cannot collect more than 3 months' rent as a security deposit. This cap applies regardless of what any lease clause may say — a lease provision requiring a larger deposit is unenforceable under Nevada law.
Return Deadline: After you vacate the rental unit, your landlord has 30 days to either return your full deposit or provide you with an itemized written statement listing the specific deductions and the reasons for each, along with any remaining balance. The itemized statement must be accompanied by receipts or invoices for any repair or cleaning charges deducted.
Permitted Deductions: Landlords may deduct for unpaid rent and for damage to the unit beyond normal wear and tear. They may not deduct for ordinary cleaning between tenants or for deterioration that results from normal everyday use of the unit.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If your landlord willfully withholds your deposit or any portion of it without proper justification, you are entitled to receive twice the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees, under NRS § 118A.242(3). To protect yourself, document the unit's condition thoroughly at move-in and move-out with dated photographs or video.
In Reno, evictions must follow the formal legal process established under Nevada law. A landlord cannot remove a tenant through self-help methods — any eviction that does not go through the courts is illegal.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must serve the tenant with the appropriate written notice. The type of notice depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Court Filing (Unlawful Detainer): If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an eviction (unlawful detainer) action in Washoe County Justice Court. The tenant is served with a summons and has the right to contest the eviction by filing an answer with the court.
Step 3 — Hearing: A hearing is scheduled where both parties may present evidence and testimony. If the court rules in the landlord's favor, it will issue a judgment for possession.
Step 4 — Lockout Order: After a judgment for possession, the court issues a writ of possession. A constable or sheriff — not the landlord — carries out the physical lockout. The landlord has no authority to personally remove the tenant or their belongings.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: Under NRS § 118A.390, a landlord who changes locks, removes doors or windows, shuts off utilities, or removes a tenant's personal property to force them out without a court order is liable for actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney's fees. If this happens to you, contact Washoe Legal Services or Nevada Legal Services immediately and consider applying to the court for an emergency order restoring your possession of the unit.
No Just Cause Requirement: Reno and Nevada do not require landlords to have a reason (just cause) to terminate a month-to-month tenancy. However, if you believe a termination is retaliatory — for example, following a complaint about housing conditions — you may raise retaliation as a defense under NRS § 118A.510.
No. Reno does not have rent control, and Nevada state law explicitly prohibits any city or county from enacting rent control ordinances under NRS § 118B.225. This statewide preemption means neither the City of Reno nor Washoe County has any authority to limit how much a landlord can charge for rent. The prohibition applies to standard residential rentals — manufactured home parks have separate protections under NRS Chapter 118B.
There is no limit on how much your landlord can raise your rent in Reno. Because Nevada's rent control prohibition under NRS § 118B.225 applies statewide, landlords may increase rent by any amount. However, for month-to-month tenancies, the landlord must provide at least 30 days' written notice before the increase takes effect under NRS § 40.251. If you are on a fixed-term lease, rent generally cannot be raised until the lease expires unless your lease explicitly allows mid-term increases.
Your landlord has 30 days after you vacate the rental unit to return your security deposit or provide a written itemized statement of deductions under NRS § 118A.242. If the landlord wrongfully withholds all or part of your deposit without justification, you may be entitled to twice the amount wrongfully withheld plus reasonable attorney's fees. Document the condition of your unit at move-in and move-out with dated photos to protect your rights.
The required notice depends on the reason for eviction. For nonpayment of rent, the landlord must serve a 7-day notice to pay or vacate under NRS § 40.253. For a lease violation, a 5-day notice to cure or vacate is required under NRS § 40.2516. For a no-cause termination of a month-to-month tenancy, a 30-day written notice is required under NRS § 40.251. After proper notice, if you do not comply or vacate, the landlord must file an eviction action in Washoe County Justice Court — they cannot remove you without a court order.
No. Self-help eviction is illegal in Nevada under NRS § 118A.390. A landlord who changes your locks, removes doors or windows, shuts off electricity or water, or otherwise attempts to force you out without a court order may be liable to you for actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney's fees. If this happens, document everything and contact Washoe Legal Services or Nevada Legal Services immediately — you can apply to the court for an emergency order restoring your access to the unit.
Under NRS § 118A.355, Nevada landlords are required to maintain rental units in a habitable condition. If your landlord refuses to make repairs, you must first provide written notice of the problem. For standard repair issues, the landlord has 14 days to begin repairs; for emergency conditions affecting health or safety, the deadline is 48 hours. If the landlord fails to act, you may have the right to repair-and-deduct for costs up to one month's rent, withhold rent through an escrow process, or terminate the lease. You may also file a housing code complaint with the City of Reno Community Development Department to trigger an official inspection.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws can change, and the application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation. If you are facing an eviction, a security deposit dispute, or any other housing legal issue in Reno, Nevada, you should consult a licensed attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization such as Washoe Legal Services or Nevada Legal Services. Always verify current statutes and local ordinances independently, as laws may have changed since this page was last updated in April 2026.
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