Nevada abandoned property law: 30 days of storage, then a 14 day notice
For dwelling tenancies under NRS Chapter 118A, a landlord provides safe storage for 30 days after abandonment or eviction, then gives written notice and waits 14 more days before disposing of the property. Reasonable and actual storage costs can be charged.
When is a Nevada tenant presumed to have abandoned?
NRS 118A.450 works from notice. If the landlord has notice of the fact of abandonment, the landlord may dispose of the tenant's personal property under 118A.460 and recover possession as provided in 118A.480. Without that notice, the statute presumes the tenant has abandoned the unit if absent for a period equal to one-half the time for periodic rental payments, unless the rent is current or the tenant told the landlord in writing of an intended absence.
For a month-to-month tenant that is roughly half a month of absence with rent unpaid. A weekly tenant triggers the presumption sooner. The written-absence exception is the tenant's simplest protection.
How long must you store it?
NRS 118A.460(1)(a) says the landlord must reasonably provide for safe storage of the property for 30 days after the abandonment or eviction or the end of the rental period. During that time the landlord may charge and collect the reasonable and actual costs of inventory, moving and storage before releasing the property to the tenant or an authorized representative who claims it. The landlord is liable to the tenant only for negligent or wrongful acts in storing the property.
What must happen before disposal?
After the 30 days, the landlord may dispose of the property and recover reasonable costs out of the property or its value if three things are true: the landlord made reasonable efforts to locate the tenant, notified the tenant in writing of the intention to dispose of the property, and 14 days have passed since the notice was given. The notice is mailed to the tenant's present address, or the last known address if the present one is unknown. Vehicles are handled under NRS Chapter 487 for abandoned vehicles instead.
Example a made-up tenant is evicted on September 1. The 30 day storage period ends October 1. The landlord, having tried to find the tenant, mails written notice on October 3. Fourteen days later is October 17, so disposal is allowed from then. A $60 moving and storage cost was reasonable and actual, so the landlord may recover it from the property's value.
Is there a duty after an eviction or lockout?
Yes. Subsection 3 says during the 5-day period after an eviction or lockout, the landlord must give the former tenant a reasonable opportunity to retrieve essential personal effects, such as medication, baby formula, basic clothing and personal care items. Disputes over the landlord's costs or the reasonableness of the landlord's actions can be resolved using the procedures the statute points to in NRS 40.253.
A practical Nevada routine
Make an inventory with photos the day you learn of the abandonment, because the statute lets you charge reasonable and actual inventory, moving and storage costs, and you need receipts to show they were actual. Keep property safe and dry for the full 30 days. Before you mail the notice, document your efforts to find the tenant, such as calls, a forwarding address check and a letter to the present address. Then wait the 14 days. Treat any vehicle separately under Chapter 487, and remember the 5 day window for essential effects after an eviction or lockout.
Handling it in DoorKeeping
DoorKeeping logs the day you learned of the abandonment, builds an inventory with photos and keeps a cost record of moving and storage so you charge only what was reasonable and actual. The 30 day and 14 day dates appear on your list, and the notice draft is yours to approve. This is general information, not legal advice. Check the current statute or ask a local attorney before you act.
Sources
Questions
- How long must a Nevada landlord store abandoned property?
- For 30 days after the abandonment or eviction or the end of the rental period, with a written notice and a further 14 days before disposal.
- Can a Nevada landlord charge for storage?
- Yes, the reasonable and actual costs of inventory, moving and storage before releasing the property to the tenant.
- What must a Nevada landlord allow after an eviction?
- A reasonable opportunity during the next 5 days to retrieve essential personal effects like medication, baby formula and basic clothing.