Eviction statistics for the past year are currently running at 160% of the pre-pandemic average in Las Vegas. This increase is largely due to people still struggling to get back on their feet after COVID restrictions, coupled with an ever-increasing cost of living.
While nobody likes to put people out of their homes, no landlord can afford to provide free housing for non-paying tenants. This makes tenant evictions one of the harsh realities of owning investment properties.
If you need to evict tenants, you must do so fairly and legally. Keep reading to find out how to evict tenants in line with Las Vegas eviction laws.
Know the Law
Under the Fair Housing Act, you cannot evict tenants based on discrimination in any form, and every state has its own rules regarding grounds for eviction, too.
In Nevada, you can evict tenants based on the following:
- Violation of their lease
- Failure to pay the rent
- Non-renewal of an expired lease
- Conducting illegal activity
Non-payment is the most common of these, and you must follow a specific procedure if you wish to evict tenants based on this.
In some cases, approaching your tenant to discuss a solution for the payment of overdue rent can yield a positive outcome. It's always better to get your rent than to go through the long-winded eviction process.
The Eviction Procedure in Nevada
The first step when you need to evict your tenants is to give the tenant notice of your intention to evict them if they're guilty of one of the above transgressions.
For late rent, you must give them a 7-day notice to pay rent or quit. If they're conducting illegal activity, you should provide a 3-day notice to quit, and if they violate their lease, you should issue a 5-day notice to comply.
The notice periods related to the renewal of a lease vary depending on the lease in question.
If your tenants don't comply within the notice period, you can file an Unlawful Detainer action with your local court. A relevant authority figure will serve the tenants with a summons to appear in court.
Should the tenant object to this notice, they can file an affidavit and let the court decide on the matter. The landlord must attend the court case if this happens.
If they don't dispute the eviction, the judge will rule against them in their absence. In most cases, the judge will give the tenant five days to pay the rent or move out of the home.
Avoiding Evictions in Las Vegas
One of the best tips for landlords who want to avoid renting their properties to tenants who can't pay is to perform extensive tenant screenings beforehand.
A good property management firm will ensure all prospective tenants are thoroughly vetted before placing them in your home.
They're also familiar with all the legal ins and outs of evictions, which can help save you the stress associated with this unpleasant scenario.
If you'd like to enjoy all the benefits of owning an investment property without the hassles, get in touch for assistance with every aspect of managing your rental properties.
Bonnie is the visionary that has driven the company and culture of Avalon since 1993. Her passion is improving procedures and practices; incorporating technology and value added services for both our clients and tenants.