Deciding to rent out a room in your Nevada home is often a practical choice. Whether you need to generate extra income or prefer to share costs, a room rental agreement in Nevada is often a great solution.
A Nevada room rental agreement is a legally binding contract that spells out the key details of a rental arrangement. Read on to find out everything you need to know about renting a room in your Nevada house.
Room Rental Laws
Your room rental agreement in Nevada must follow state landlord-tenant law, which outlines the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. These laws detail important aspects of your room rental agreement, such as:
- Security deposits
- Rent and fees
- Access and privacy
- Maintenance and habitability
- Lease terms and termination
- Eviction and breaches
You can choose the type of rental agreement that works for you and your tenant.
Different Types of Room Rental Agreements in Nevada
When you’re deciding on what type of agreement you’d like to enter into with your tenant, think about your needs during the tenancy. Each type of agreement has its own benefits and drawbacks.
Verbal agreement: The most informal type of rental agreement, this is simply a spoken arrangement between a landlord and tenant. We don’t recommend this type of arrangement, as it can be difficult to enforce if needed.
Fixed-term lease: A fixed-term lease lasts for a set period, most often 1 year. This type of agreement works best for landlords who value reliability over flexibility.
Month-to-month lease: A month-to-month lease, or tenancy at will, is a good option if you or your tenant needs a little extra flexibility. These agreements renew each month, allowing you regular opportunities to revisit the terms of the arrangement.
Required Landlord Disclosures
Nevada law requires you to disclose certain information to your tenants before signing a lease agreement.
Lead-based paint: If built before 1978, you must disclose any known information about lead-based paint and its hazards in your home and provide the required EPA pamphlet.
Foreclosures: State law requires you to inform your tenant if your home is subject to foreclosure proceedings (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.275).
Public nuisance: Your Nevada room rental agreement must describe the penalties for creating or allowing a public nuisance on the property (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.200(3)(l)).
American flag: You are legally required to allow your tenant to display an American flag, if desired (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.200(3)(n)).
Late fees: Your lease agreement must clearly outline any late fees you will charge. Late fees can be up to 5% of the overdue balance (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.210(4)).
Landlord contact info: Your Nevada lease must include the landlord’s name and contact information (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.260).
Move-in checklist: You must provide your tenants with a move-in checklist that details the condition of the room at move-in. Your tenant must sign this checklist at move-in (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.200(3)(k)).
Security Deposit Rules
Nevada also sets guidelines around security deposits, from how much you can collect to when you must return the funds.
Maximum security deposit: Nevada law allows you to collect up to 3 months’ rent as a security deposit (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.242(1-2)).
Pet deposits: Nevada law does not mandate pet deposits, so you may charge a pet deposit as long as the fee is reasonable and you clearly disclose it in your lease agreement (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.242).
Security deposit receipt: You must give your tenant a receipt for their security deposit upon request (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.250).
Deduction tracking: You may deduct funds from the security deposit to cover unpaid rent or tenant damages. You also must keep up with the deductions in an itemized statement (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.242(4)).
Security deposit return: You must return the tenant’s security deposit, minus any deductions, within 30 days of the lease termination (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.242(4)).
Rent Payment Rules
There are also laws you must follow regarding rent payment. Nevada sets clear guidelines for collecting and paying rent. Here’s what you need to know.
Late rent fees: Nevada law allows you to charge up to 5% of the monthly rent as a late fee (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.210(4)).
Right to withhold rent: In Nevada, tenants may withhold rent if the landlord fails to maintain safe and habitable living conditions (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.355).
Grace period: State law requires landlords to give their tenants a 3-day grace period for late rent (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.210(4), Nev. Rev. Stat. § 40.253).
Pet rent: You must clearly outline all pet fees, such as pet rent and deposits, in your room rental agreement in Nevada.
Rent Payment Increase Rules
When you need to increase the rent, there are certain rules you must follow to stay compliant with state laws.
Rent payment increase frequency: Rent control and stabilization laws do not exist in Nevada, meaning you can raise the rent as needed; however, you must give written notice first. For fixed-term leases, you can increase the rent at the end of the term. For month-to-month leases, state law requires 30 days’ written notice (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.300).
Rent payment increase maximum: Nevada does not limit how much landlords can raise the rent.
Rent control/stabilization: Rent control and stabilization laws do not exist in Nevada, although temporary local measures may apply during declared emergencies (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.300).
Nevada Room Rental Agreement Breaches
If your tenant violates any part of their room rental agreement, state law outlines the steps you should take to get back on track.
Failure to pay: If your tenant has not paid rent after the mandatory grace period, you may issue a 4-day Notice to Pay or Quit (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 40.253(b)).
Lease violations: For other lease violations, outside of illegal activity, you may issue a 5-day Notice to Cure or Quit (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 40.2516).
Self-help evictions: In Nevada, self-help evictions are illegal. You should never attempt to remove a tenant on your own.
Terminating a Nevada Room Rental Agreement
If you want to terminate your room rental agreement, Nevada sets guidelines for how and when you can end the contract.
Fixed-term: Typically, fixed-term leases end on a specified date; however, certain qualifying life events (active-duty military service, domestic violence, landlord harassment, etc.) allow a tenant to terminate their lease early without penalty (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.355, 50 U.S.C. § 3955).
Month-to-month: To end a month-to-month room rental, either the landlord or the tenant must give at least 30 days’ written notice (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 40.251).
Tenant’s right to terminate: Tenants may terminate their room rental agreement in Nevada early if they face certain life events, such as active-duty military service, landlord harassment, or domestic violence.
Room abandonment: If your tenant abandons their room before the end of the lease term, the landlord must deliver a written notice stating this belief. If the tenant does not respond within 5 days, the landlord may terminate the agreement (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118.195).
Landlord Access Laws
When you need access to the room for maintenance or repairs, you must respect your tenant’s right to privacy and follow state laws.
Advance notice: For routine maintenance or repairs, you must give your tenant at least 24 hours’ notice and only enter during regular business hours (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.330(3)).
Immediate access: In case of an emergency, you may enter the property without giving notice (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.330(2-3)).
Landlord harassment: Entering your tenant’s room without giving notice or without just cause is often considered harassment. In these cases, your tenant can often break their lease early and without penalty (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.500).
Lease Agreement Renewal and Termination
State law also applies when deciding whether to renew or terminate your room rental agreement in Nevada. Here are the basics.
Required renewals: You are not required to renew the room rental agreement in Nevada at the end of its term.
Required notice: If you do not intend to renew your tenant’s room rental agreement, you must give 30 days’ written notice (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 40.251).
Month-to-month considerations: A Nevada month-to-month lease agreement renews each month until one party gives the proper notice to terminate. To terminate a tenancy at will, either you or your tenant must give at least 30 days’ written notice to the other party.
Room Rental Agreement Nevada FAQs
What to include in a Nevada room rental agreement?
For a Nevada room rental agreement, you should include important details about the contract, such as the rent amount and due date, security deposit terms, lease length, house rules, shared-space use, utilities, maintenance duties, guest and pet policies, and move-out requirements.
How do I legally rent out a room?
To legally rent out a room in Nevada, you must follow state and local codes. Create a written room rental agreement in Nevada using property management software that provides the required disclosures for you and your tenant to sign.
How to make a Nevada room rental agreement?
Use a simple Nevada room rental agreement template from a trusted landlord software. Choose a printable PDF you can fill out, customize with your rent terms, house rules, and disclosures. Then, have both parties sign and keep copies for your records.
