Licensed Process Servers | PILB License #2782

The eviction process is frustrating. When a tenant doesn’t voluntarily leave, you’re left with no choice but to begin the formal process of legally taking back your home. Nevada has requirements and guidelines for landlords to follow, and you must obtain a judgment from the court for an eviction to be considered legal. Changing the locks or forcing the tenant out of the home is a “self-help eviction” and can have costly legal ramifications for landlords. While the eviction process is complex, no laws require you to hire an attorney. You can do it yourself, provided you follow Nevada-specific laws for serving notices. All evictions, regardless of the type, begin with an eviction notice. If you aren’t sure what notice you need, NMI can determine that for you.

Types of Evictions

There are a few main types of evictions in Nevada:

  • Non-payment
  • Non-compliance (lease violations)
  • Tenancy-at-will termination
  • No cause notice (often used to terminate month-to-month or weekly agreements)

The type of eviction depends on the lease and the situation. You can also opt for a summary eviction, which is faster than formal eviction.

Non-Payment of Rent

If you’re evicting a tenant for unpaid rent, you must serve the tenant with a “Seven Day Notice to Pay or Quit.” The form notifies them to either pay the money owed or ‘quit’ by leaving the property. There are also some essential details this form must include to be valid, including:

  • Names of all tenants
  • Address of the rental unit
  • Reason for notice
  • Date the rent was due
  • Date rent became late
  • The amount the tenant owes
  • Information notifying the tenant they must pay or leave by noon on the seventh full judicial day
  • A statement specifying how the notice was delivered

Serving an eviction notice is the first step in the process because everything must be with the court. The tenant can either pay, leave or file a motion with the court to delay the eviction. If you have to move forward with the removal, you’ll prepare and file a summons and complaint with the court in the county where the property is located. You’ll need to have the tenant served. The forms can be served by fully licensed process servers, constables, and sheriffs in Nevada. NMI process servers are fully licensed and know the legal requirements for serving tenants. Some tenants attempt to avoid getting served, but after decades of experience, we know how to get it done.

Evictions for Causes Other Than Non-Payment

For all other causes, the process is similar. Instead of a notice giving the tenant the right to pay or quit, you’ll serve them a written notice to inform them they must vacate the home. The length of time and type of notice depends on the lease. For instance, a lease violation requires a five-day notice to remedy the lease violation followed by a second ‘Five-day Notice to Quit for Unlawful Detainer’ if they fail to do so. To terminate a month-to-month lease, you serve a lease termination notice giving tenants 30 days to vacate.

Considerations

The Nevada eviction process can seem a little overwhelming at first. Although the laws are straightforward, you must carefully follow them regarding the process, including everything from serving and filing documents. The entire process can take anywhere from 10 to 90 days, depending on the circumstances and whether a hearing is required.

If you’re ready to begin the eviction process in Nevada, NMI Evictions can help get you started and ensure it’s done correctly. There’s nothing worse than waiting for a hearing only to find out the entire eviction is deemed invalid because of an error with the notice or because you used the wrong form. A common issue landlords encounter with do-it-yourself evictions; one false move, and you’re starting over.

We’ve been helping homeowners reclaim their properties since 1988. Whether you’re out of state or local, we’re here to help. We offer same-day services to get the process started immediately. We know time is money. Reach out today via email to discuss your specific tenant situation. If you’d prefer to talk to us over the phone, call us at (702) 368-1999. Our knowledgeable staff is happy to address any questions or concerns.