How to Evict a Tenant in Nevada: Step-by-Step Process

If you need to know how to evict a tenant in Nevada, the first thing to understand is that not every frustrating tenant situation qualifies for eviction. Under Nevada law (NRS Chapter 118A), landlords need a legally recognized reason to begin the process.

Think of it like a traffic violation: there has to be a specific violation before you can proceed. In Nevada, the most common grounds for eviction include nonpayment of rent, lease violations (unauthorized pets, property damage, excessive noise), illegal activity on the premises, or the expiration of a lease term. This comprehensive guide walks you through every step—from determining if you have legal grounds through the final constable lockout—with references to Nevada statutes and practical advice to avoid costly mistakes that delay evictions.

Step 1: Serve the Correct Notice

The eviction process in Nevada begins with a written notice. Serving the wrong notice—or serving it incorrectly—is the single most common reason evictions get delayed or thrown out.

Here are the primary notice types under NRS Chapter 118A:

• 7-Day Pay-or-Quit Notice: Used when the tenant has not paid rent. The tenant has seven judicial days to pay the full amount owed or vacate.
• 5-Day Notice to Cure or Quit: Used for lease violations other than nonpayment. The tenant has five days to fix the problem or move out.
• 30-Day No-Cause Notice: Used to end a month-to-month tenancy without stating a reason. The tenant must receive at least 30 calendar days' notice.

Step 2: File an Eviction Complaint With the Court

If the notice period expires and the tenant has not complied, the next step is filing an eviction complaint with the local justice court. In Clark County, you'll file at the Las Vegas Justice Court.

The filing requires: a complaint form, a copy of the notice you served, proof of service, and a filing fee (typically $71–$91). Once filed, the court issues a summons to the tenant.

Step 3: Attend the Eviction Hearing

If the tenant contests the eviction by filing an answer, the court schedules a hearing—usually within 10 days. At the hearing, bring all documentation: the signed lease, the notice you served, proof of service, rent ledger, photos of damage, and any communication with the tenant.

Nevada judges expect landlords to prove they followed every step correctly. A missing notice or improper service can result in dismissal—meaning you'd have to start over.

Step 4: Obtain a Court Order and Schedule Lockout

After the court issues an eviction order, the tenant has a brief window to appeal—typically five judicial days. If no appeal is filed, you can request a lockout through the constable's office.

The Clark County Constable is the only person legally authorized to remove the tenant and change the locks. Attempting a "self-help" eviction is illegal under Nevada law and constitutes wrongful eviction.

Common Mistakes That Delay Evictions

The most frequent mistakes include serving the wrong notice type, miscounting judicial days, failing to keep proof of service, accepting partial rent after serving a pay-or-quit notice (which can reset the process), and attempting informal removal instead of following the court process.

Each of these mistakes can force a landlord to restart from the beginning. This is why many landlords use professional property management to handle evictions.