Nevada security deposit law
Can I get more than my deposit back in Nevada?
The short answer
Often, yes. Nevada law allows statutory damages equal to the deposit for wrongful withholding under NRS § 118A.242, on top of the deposit itself.
Nevada is one of the states where wrongful withholding costs the landlord more than the deposit: NRS § 118A.242 allows courts to award statutory damages equal to the deposit, in addition to returning the deposit itself.
What this means practically: the money at stake is often larger than the deposit, and a landlord facing a judgment adding damages on top of the deposit has a strong incentive to settle when a tenant demonstrates they know the statute. Attorney's fees can also be recoverable, which changes the landlord's calculation further.
How tenants actually unlock these remedies: not by mentioning them on the phone, but in a formal demand letter that cites NRS § 118A.242, the missed deadline, and the specific exposure. That letter is usually the moment the landlord's cost-benefit flips.
If it still goes unanswered, Justice Court — Small Claims is where these damages get awarded, and the demand letter is the exhibit that proves you gave fair notice.
The Nevada rules at a glance. Governing statute: NRS § 118A.242. Return deadline: 30 days. Statutory damages: damages equal to the deposit for wrongful withholding. Attorney's fees: recoverable in qualifying cases. Court for disputes: Justice Court — Small Claims, claims up to $10,000.
See what your landlord owes you under Nevada law.
Answer a few questions about your situation and get a Nevada-specific demand letter that applies these rules to your case, ready in about ten minutes.