Nevada · Landlord-tenant dispute

Landlord-tenant dispute in Nevada 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 Nevada, small-claims cases are heard in the Justice Court (small claims division) and you can sue for up to $10,000.

Good to know: Nevada has no statewide small claims court; claims are heard by the justice of the peace in the local Justice Court for the township (NRS 73.010). Each township (Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, and others) publishes its own forms, so some steps vary by court.

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 Affidavit of Complaint in Nevada

1. Confirm the right court and that your claim is $10,000 or less. Small claims handle money-only disputes up to $10,000. File in the Justice Court for the township where the defendant lives, works, or does business, or where the events occurred.
2. Make a demand for payment. Most townships require a demand first. North Las Vegas requires a certified-mail demand and a 15-day wait before filing; Las Vegas requires only that a demand was previously made. Check your township's rule.
3. Complete and file the Affidavit of Complaint. Fill out the Affidavit of Complaint, make the required copies, and file it with the court with any demand-letter proof and the fee. The court sets a hearing date and issues a Summons and Order to Appear.
4. Serve the defendant. A file-stamped copy of the Affidavit and Summons must be served on each defendant by the constable, sheriff, a licensed process server, or any uninvolved adult over 18. North Las Vegas requires service at least 15 days before the court date.
5. File the Affidavit of Service and prepare for the hearing. File the Affidavit of Service (North Las Vegas requires it at least 10 days before the court date) and bring your evidence and witnesses. There is no written answer; the dispute is decided at the hearing.

Filing fees: Filing fees are set by each Justice Court and scale with the claim, so there is no single statewide figure. North Las Vegas's 2025 schedule runs from $66 (claims up to $1,000) to $196 (claims up to $10,000). Fee waivers are available; verify with your court.

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: 6 years (NRS 11.190(1)(b))

Answering a lawsuit: No written answer is required. The defendant is ordered to appear at a court-set trial date (North Las Vegas requires service at least 15 days before); failing to appear can result in a default judgment.

Serving the defendant: A file-stamped copy of the Affidavit of Complaint and Summons and Order to Appear must be served on each defendant by the constable, sheriff, a licensed process server, or any uninvolved adult over 18. In North Las Vegas, service is due at least 15 days before the court date and the Affidavit of Service at least 10 days before.

Appeals: Either party may appeal to the District Court; deadlines are set by each Justice Court (the Las Vegas Justice Court allows 5 judicial days from entry of judgment). A typed transcript is required, so confirm with the court that ruled.

All Nevada small-claims deadlines

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

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

These forms are published by the Justice Court (small claims division). Download and complete them before filing.

• North Las Vegas Justice Court Small Claims Packet (information sheet, Affidavit of Complaint, Affidavit of Service, fee schedule): Official combined packet that explains the small claims process and contains the Affidavit of Complaint (Small Claims), the Affidavit of Service (Small Claims), the Summons & Order to Appear, and the filing-fee schedule by claim amount.
• North Las Vegas Justice Court Small Claims Packet (Spanish): Spanish-language version of the small claims packet and forms.
• Henderson Justice Court Affidavit of Complaint (Small Claims): Standalone Affidavit of Complaint form used to start a small claims case (Henderson Township version).

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: Nevada Administrative Office of the Courts: Small Claims Court. Last reviewed 2026-06-24.