Start with Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.242. In Nevada, The cap is 3 months' rent. The return deadline is 30 days after termination of the tenancy / surrender of possession, with an itemized list of deductions. Interest: No statewide interest requirement. That is the question this guide answers for getting a security deposit back. Wrongful withholding can support damages of the deposit amount plus a penalty of up to the entire deposit in bad-faith cases, and possible attorney fees.
Deposit limits in Nevada
3 months' rent
When the deposit must be returned
30 days after termination of the tenancy / surrender of possession, with an itemized list of deductions
How the Nevada rule applies
Apply the Nevada authorities in order. The facts are simplified so the statute and the standard are visible.
A residential tenant moves out of a Nevada rental and the landlord has not returned the deposit.
- Check the cap that applied when the deposit was collected: 3 months' rent.
- Calendar the return deadline: 30 days after termination of the tenancy / surrender of possession, with an itemized list of deductions
- Interest, if any: No statewide interest requirement.
- If the landlord keeps money without the required accounting: Wrongful withholding can support damages of the deposit amount plus a penalty of up to the entire deposit in bad-faith cases, and possible attorney fees.
Nevada caps most residential security deposits at three months’ rent—the highest common statewide cap—and requires return with itemization within 30 days. Justice court handles many disputes.
Interest and accounting
No statewide interest requirement.
Penalties for wrongful withholding
Wrongful withholding can support damages of the deposit amount plus a penalty of up to the entire deposit in bad-faith cases, and possible attorney fees.
Practical process for tenants and landlords
Nevada caps most residential security deposits at three months’ rent—the highest common statewide cap—and requires return with itemization within 30 days. Justice court handles many disputes.
Document the unit with dated photos or video at move-in and move-out, keep the lease and any inspection checklist, and send a dated written demand if the deadline passes without a lawful accounting.
Related Nevada guides
Case law: security deposits in Nevada
ANABELLE SAVAGE, Appellant, v. SHAWN PIERSON, Respondent
ANABELLE SAVAGE, Appellant, v. SHAWN PIERSON, Respondent, 123 Nev. 86 (2007)
…tcy Court for the District of Nevada, we consider whether a security deposit in a residential lease is exempt from the claim of creditors either under the homestead exemption of NRS 21.090(1)(l) or the dwelling exemption under NRS 21.090(1)(m). We conclude that a security deposit in a residential lease is not exempt from the claim of creditors under either the homestead exempti…
On security deposits, ANABELLE SAVAGE, Appellant, v. SHAWN PIERSON, Respondent speaks to the Nevada dispute in this passage: "Court for the District of Nevada, we consider whether a security deposit in a residential lease is exempt from the claim of creditors either under the homestead exemption of NRS 21.090(1)(l) or the dwelling exemption under NRS 21.090(1)(m)." The surrounding opinion shows how the court applied that language to the record.
VIRGIL D. DUTT, Appellant and Cross-Respondent, v. RICHARD E. KREMP, M.D.; RAYMOND L. SWARTS, M.D.; PAUL S. CLARK
…apparently the only important factor. We now have Dr. Domz' deposition and clearly no reason exists for delaying the inevitable. It is very clear that I would be unable to carry the burden of the proof and therefore request dismissal of this matter. (emphasis added); (9) Rentnelli did not keep his follow-up appointments with the Reno physicians; (10) Dutt irresponsibly denied a…
Nevada opinions such as VIRGIL D. DUTT, Appellant and Cross-Respondent, v. RICHARD E. KREMP, M.D.; RAYMOND L. SWARTS, M.D.; PAUL S. CLARK are cited where security deposits is disputed. The court stated: "We now have Dr. Domz' deposition and clearly no reason exists for delaying the inevitable. It is very clear that I would be unable to carry the burden of the proof and therefore request dismissal of this matter." That is the language to brief; the rest of the decision supplies the procedural posture.
L. J. H. SMITH, Receiver for THOMAS & GUINN, INC., Appellant, v. E. G. HAMILTON, Respondent
…ction dismissed. Defendant does not claim forfeiture of the security deposit and concedes that he is not entitled to retain the sums so paid beyond compensation for accrued rental and damages. See: 52 C.J.S. 220 (Landlord and Tenant, sec. 473 c.) In support of the decision of the lower court defendant contends that plaintiff has not estab *215 lished that he is the one entitled…
Nevada opinions such as L. J. H. SMITH, Receiver for THOMAS & GUINN, INC., Appellant, v. E. G. HAMILTON, Respondent are cited where security deposits is disputed. The court stated: "Defendant does not claim forfeiture of the security deposit and concedes that he is not entitled to retain the sums so paid beyond compensation for accrued rental and damages. See: 52 C.J.S. 220 (Landlord and Tenant, sec. 473 c." That is the language to brief; the rest of the decision supplies the procedural posture.
CONSUMERS DISTRIBUTING COMPANY LIMITED, Appellant, v. E.T. HERMANN AND JANE HERMANN, TRUSTEES of the E.T. AND JANE
…enses, or taxes. The lease required that Consumers tender a security deposit equal to one month’s rent and that the Trust place the security deposit in a separate interest-bearing account and assign the interest to Consumers. Consumers tendered the security deposit and paid the monthly rent for the entire five-year term. It also paid many of the operating expenses and taxes. Ho…
Nevada opinions such as CONSUMERS DISTRIBUTING COMPANY LIMITED, Appellant, v. E.T. HERMANN AND JANE HERMANN, TRUSTEES of the E.T. AND JANE are cited where security deposits is disputed. The court stated: "The lease required that Consumers tender a security deposit equal to one month’s rent and that the Trust place the security deposit in a separate interest-bearing account and assign the interest to Consumers." That is the language to brief; the rest of the decision supplies the procedural posture.
KATE N. DODD, Individually, and KATE N. DODD, as Guardian of the Estate of RICHARD RYLAND DODD, Incompetent
…) $15,000 plus compound interest for the return of a rental security deposit; and (4) $10,000 attorneys’ fees. The Dodds have appealed from the judgment of the district court and seek reversal on the grounds that the lower court erred in (1) dismissing the Dodds’ conspiracy count under an NRCP 41(b) motion; (2) denying the Dodds’ motion for a continuance of the trial; (3) findi…
On security deposits, KATE N. DODD, Individually, and KATE N. DODD, as Guardian of the Estate of RICHARD RYLAND DODD, Incompetent speaks to the Nevada dispute in this passage: ") $15,000 plus compound interest for the return of a rental security deposit; and (4) $10,000 attorneys’ fees. The Dodds have appealed from the judgment of the district court and seek reversal on the grounds that the lower court erred in (1) dismissing the Dodds’ conspiracy count" The surrounding opinion shows how the court applied that language to the record.
LORI MEYER, Individually and as Guardian Ad Litem for CHRIS MEYER, a Minor; SHARI RANDLE, Individually; ALIDA
…ents were high-quality weekly rentals and did not require a security deposit or payment in advance. Because Bigelow apartments experienced over 10,000 move-outs during 1993 Bigelow argued that it had no other way of determining whether a tenant had moved out or was simply avoiding management and refusing to pay rent. Bigelow also asserted that class status should be denied beca…
On security deposits, LORI MEYER, Individually and as Guardian Ad Litem for CHRIS MEYER, a Minor; SHARI RANDLE, Individually; ALIDA speaks to the Nevada dispute in this passage: "Because Bigelow apartments experienced over 10,000 move-outs during 1993 Bigelow argued that it had no other way of determining whether a tenant had moved out or was simply avoiding management and refusing to pay rent." The surrounding opinion shows how the court applied that language to the record.
STATE v. CARSON VALLEY BANK STATE v. UNITED NEVADA BANK
STATE v. CARSON VALLEY BANK STATE v. UNITED NEVADA BANK, 56 Nev. 133 (1935)
…, S. C. Durkee, and S. C. Bigelow, for themselves and other depositors in said bank similarly situated, defendants, the other case being the same plaintiffs against United Nevada bank, a Nevada banking corporation, and E. J. Seaborn, as superintendent of banks of the State of Nevada, and John Granata and Robert M. Price, for themselves and all other depositors in said bank simi…
On security deposits, STATE v. CARSON VALLEY BANK STATE v. UNITED NEVADA BANK speaks to the Nevada dispute in this passage: "S. C. Durkee, and S. C. Bigelow, for themselves and other depositors in said bank similarly situated, defendants, the other case being the same plaintiffs against United Nevada bank, a Nevada banking corporation, and E. J." The surrounding opinion shows how the court applied that language to the record.
Sabreco, Inc. Vs. Dagger Prop.'S 1, Llc
Sabreco, Inc. Vs. Dagger Prop.'S 1, Llc (2019)
…2011, William pre-signed checks for Sabreco's operating and security deposit accounts. Additionally, William authorized his bookkeeper to deposit, disburse, and reconcile funds in the accounts. Because William failed to properly supervise his bookkeeper, she was able to misappropriate and embezzle $204,157.86 from various property owner accounts, including Dagger accounts. Dagg…
Sabreco, Inc. Vs. Dagger Prop.'S 1, Llc is worth reading on Nevada security deposits because the court put the point in its own words: "William pre-signed checks for Sabreco's operating and security deposit accounts. Additionally, William authorized his bookkeeper to deposit, disburse, and reconcile funds in the accounts." Use that passage as the starting point, then read the facts that precede it.
Key takeaways
- Maximum deposit: 3 months' rent
- Return deadline: 30 days after termination of the tenancy / surrender of possession, with an itemized list of deductions
- Interest: No statewide interest requirement.
- Penalties: Wrongful withholding can support damages of the deposit amount plus a penalty of up to the entire deposit in bad-faith cases, and possible attorney fees.
- Primary authority: Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.242.
Frequently asked questions
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Nevada?
3 months' rent
How long does a landlord have to return my deposit?
30 days after termination of the tenancy / surrender of possession, with an itemized list of deductions
What if my landlord keeps the deposit without an itemized list?
Wrongful withholding can support damages of the deposit amount plus a penalty of up to the entire deposit in bad-faith cases, and possible attorney fees.
This guide covers Nevada residential security-deposit law as of 2026. Commercial leases and local ordinances can differ — verify the statute that applies to your unit.