Last Updated : November 10, 2025 by Chris Bibey
Evicting a tenant in Nevada is a legal process that must follow specific rules set by state law. Whether your tenant has stopped paying rent, violated the lease, or stayed beyond the end of their rental agreement, you need to follow the correct steps.
This guide outlines the entire eviction process in Nevada so you can move forward legally, avoid mistakes, and reclaim your property with confidence.
Here are the steps you must follow to legally evict a tenant in Nevada.
The first step is to give the tenant written notice. Nevada law has several types of notices depending on the reason you want the tenant to leave.
Nonpayment of Rent:
Serve a 7-day notice to pay or quit. This gives the tenant seven judicial days (excluding weekends and legal holidays) to pay the rent or vacate the property.
Lease Violation (Correctable):
Serve a 5-day notice to perform or quit. This gives the tenant five judicial days to fix the lease violation, such as unauthorized pets or noise issues.
Lease Violation (Non-Correctable):
If the violation is severe and cannot be fixed, such as significant property damage or threats to safety, serve a 5-day notice to quit for unlawful detainer. The tenant does not have the option to cure and must move out.
No Lease or End of Lease:
For tenants on a month-to-month lease, serve a 30-day notice to vacate. If the tenant has lived on the property for less than one year, 30 days is sufficient. If it’s more than one year, provide 60 days’ notice.
Illegal Activity or Nuisance:
If the tenant is engaging in illegal activity or poses a threat to others, serve a 3-day notice to quit for nuisance. This applies to issues like illegal drug use, gang activity, or threats to health and safety.
Nevada allows landlords to deliver notices in the following ways:
Keep copies of the notice and proof of service. Nevada courts often require an affidavit of service when you file your case.
Once the notice has been served, you must wait for the required number of judicial days (not calendar days) to pass. The tenant has the right to pay rent, fix the problem, or move out before the deadline.
If the tenant complies, you do not need to go further. If they do not take any action, you can move forward with a formal eviction through the court.
Always count judicial days correctly. Weekends and legal holidays do not count toward the deadline. Filing too early will get your case dismissed.
If the tenant fails to comply with the notice, your next step is to file a summary eviction complaint in the appropriate Justice Court for the township where the property is located.
What You’ll Need:
Nevada uses a summary eviction process, which moves faster than traditional lawsuits. You are not required to attend a hearing unless the tenant contests the eviction by filing an affidavit with the court.
After filing, the court will review the documentation and may issue an Order for Summary Eviction. This allows the constable or sheriff to begin the lockout process.
If the tenant does file an affidavit contesting the eviction, the court will schedule a hearing before making a decision.
Once the complaint is filed, and especially if a hearing is set, you must ensure that the tenant is properly notified.
Nevada allows you to use:
For contested evictions, you must provide the tenant with notice of the hearing and a copy of all filed documents. Failing to do so will delay or cancel your case.
For uncontested evictions, the court may proceed based solely on your filing and issue an eviction order without further notice to the tenant.
Always follow local court rules for service. Justice Courts in Nevada may have slightly different procedures by county, especially in places like Las Vegas or Reno.
If your tenant files an affidavit contesting the eviction, the court will schedule a hearing within a few days. Both you and the tenant must attend.
What to Bring:
Tenant Defenses May Include:
At the hearing, the judge will decide whether to grant the eviction. If the ruling is in your favor, you will receive an Order for Summary Eviction, and the constable will be authorized to carry out the lockout.
If the tenant wins, you will need to restart the process or resolve the issue another way.
If the tenant fails to appear at the hearing, the court may issue a default judgment and allow the eviction to proceed.
Once you have the eviction order, you must contact the constable or sheriff in your county to carry out the lockout.
What Happens Next:
You must be present at the lockout with keys or a locksmith. The constable will supervise the process and ensure the tenant leaves peacefully.
Do not attempt to remove the tenant yourself or change the locks before this step. That is illegal under Nevada law and could expose you to fines or lawsuits.
If the tenant leaves belongings in the unit, Nevada law requires landlords to handle them carefully.
Your Obligations:
You may charge the tenant reasonable storage costs, but you cannot withhold personal items like medication, IDs, or essential documents.
If the tenant does not retrieve their items after 14 days, you may dispose of or sell the property.
Create an inventory and take photos before moving anything. This protects you if the tenant later claims damage or theft.
Sometimes avoiding court is faster, easier, and less expensive. These alternatives may help resolve issues without a formal eviction.
If your tenant is behind on rent but wants to stay, you can offer a structured repayment plan.
Include in Writing:
You can still pursue eviction later if the tenant defaults on the agreement. Make sure all terms are in writing and track payments carefully.
Offer a one-time cash payment to the tenant in exchange for them moving out on an agreed date. This method often avoids legal fees and gets the unit back faster.
How It Works:
This strategy can save time and avoid damage to your property.
In some Nevada counties, housing mediation programs are available. A neutral third party helps landlords and tenants find a resolution.
Mediation May Result In:
Check with your local Justice Court or legal aid organization to see if mediation is available in your area.
Can I evict a tenant without a lease in Nevada?
Yes. Serve a 30-day or 60-day notice depending on how long the tenant has lived at the property.
What qualifies as illegal activity?
Selling drugs, gang involvement, violence, and health or safety threats are considered illegal activity under Nevada law and may result in immediate eviction with a 3-day nuisance notice.
How long does the eviction process take in Nevada?
If uncontested, it can take 10 to 21 days. Contested cases or delays in service can stretch the timeline to several weeks.
Do I need a reason to end a month-to-month lease?
No. You can end a month-to-month lease without cause as long as you provide 30 or 60 days' notice depending on tenant occupancy.
Can I evict someone during winter?
Yes. Nevada does not have seasonal restrictions on evictions.
Can I shut off utilities or change locks
No. These actions are considered unlawful self-help and can result in penalties.
What if the tenant files bankruptcy?
You must pause eviction unless the court grants relief from the automatic stay. Speak to an attorney in these cases.
Evicting a tenant in Nevada is a process that requires careful attention to timelines, service rules, and local court procedures.
When you follow the law step by step, you can regain possession of your property without delays or legal trouble.
If evictions are becoming routine, you may want to reassess your tenant screening process, review your lease agreements, or consider hiring a property manager.
And if managing the property has become more stressful than it is worth, selling might give you the freedom you are looking for.
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