Nebraska · Landlord-tenant dispute

Landlord-tenant dispute in Nebraska small claims

Unpaid rent, withheld deposit, or property damage? Resolve it in small claims.

Landlord-tenant disputes over money — unpaid rent, a withheld deposit, damage charges, or a landlord's failure to make repairs you paid for — often end up in small claims court. The key to a strong case is a clear paper trail: your lease, rent receipts, move-in and move-out documentation, and all written communication with the other party. You do not need a lawyer to present this kind of claim.

In Nebraska, small-claims cases are heard in the Small Claims Court (a division of the county court) and you can sue for up to $7,500.

Good to know: Nebraska small claims is not a separate court but a division of the county court, with hearings before a county judge. Cases are filed with the clerk of the county court in the proper county.

Landlord-tenant dispute: steps that matter

1. Gather your lease, all rent payment records, and any written communication between you and the other party about the dispute.
2. Document the property's condition thoroughly — photos and videos at move-in, during the tenancy, and at move-out.
3. Send a written demand stating exactly what you are claiming and why, and keep proof of delivery.
4. Confirm whether your state has a separate, shorter statutory deadline for your specific claim (such as deposit return) with your court or local housing authority.
5. File in the small claims court for the county where the rental property is located.

Filing your Plaintiff's Claim and Notice to Defendant (Form CC 4:1) in Nebraska

1. Confirm your claim qualifies and pick the county. Small claims covers money owed, property damage, or return of personal property, capped at $7,500. File where the defendant lives or does business, or where the claim arose.
2. Complete the claim form (CC 4:1). Fill out the Plaintiff's Claim and Notice to Defendant with the parties' names and addresses, a short description with dates, the dollar amount, and why it is owed.
3. File and pay the fee. Submit the form to the clerk of the county court in person or by mail and pay the statutory docket fee plus surcharges. The clerk sets a hearing date.
4. Arrange service on the defendant. Serve the defendant by certified mail with restricted delivery or personal service by the sheriff or constable. Service costs are paid by you and added to any judgment.
5. Appear at the hearing. Both parties must appear at the date and time on the notice; no written answer is required. If the defendant does not appear, the court may enter a default.

Filing fees: The small claims docket fee is set by statute (a $6.25 base under Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-2804) plus statutory surcharges; service costs are paid separately and added to any judgment. Confirm the current total with the clerk.

Deadline that applies to your landlord-tenant dispute

A landlord-tenant money dispute is usually grounded in the lease — a contract — so the contract statute of limitations is the typical outer deadline for filing. Many states also have separate landlord-tenant statutes with shorter deadlines for specific remedies such as security deposit return. Confirm which deadline applies to your exact claim with the court or your state's official landlord-tenant resource.

Written contract: 5 years (Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-205)

Answering a lawsuit: No written answer is required. The defendant must appear in person on the hearing date shown on the notice; failing to appear may result in a default judgment.

Serving the defendant: The defendant is served by personal service through the sheriff or constable, or by certified mail with restricted delivery. Service costs are paid by the plaintiff and added to any judgment.

Appeals: An appeal goes to the district court within 30 days of judgment: file a Notice of Appeal (CC 9:2) with the county court clerk, pay the docket fee, request the transcript, and post a $50 appeal bond (CC 9:3).

All Nebraska small-claims deadlines

The table below lists the filing deadlines Small Claims Court (a division of the county court) applies by claim category. Confirm the exact rule that applies to your landlord-tenant dispute claim with your court before relying on any figure.

Nebraska small-claims forms for your landlord-tenant dispute case

These forms are published by the Small Claims Court (a division of the county court). Download and complete them before filing.

• CC 4:1 - Plaintiff's Claim and Notice to Defendant (Small Claims): The initial document the plaintiff files to start a small claims case and notify the defendant of the claim and hearing.
• CC 4:5 - Small Claims Certified Mail Return: Used to document service of the claim on the defendant by certified mail with restricted delivery.
• CC 4:6 - Praecipe (Request) for Subpoena: Used by a party to request a subpoena compelling a witness to appear at the small claims hearing.
• CC 9:2 - Notice of Appeal: Filed with the clerk of the county court within 30 days to appeal a small claims judgment to district court.

This page is general information, not legal advice, and CaseBySelf is not a law firm. Rules, fees, and deadlines change and vary by court: verify with the specific court where you file. Source: Nebraska Judicial Branch: Filing a Small Claims Case. Last reviewed 2026-06-24.