Where can I find landlord/tenant laws?
Chapter 118A of Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) specifically covers landlord and tenant law involving rental property not in a manufactured home park. The chapter includes
provisions related to dwellings, rental agreements, security deposits, habitability of dwelling unit, notice of increase of rent, landlord's access to dwelling unit, failure of landlord to comply with rental agreement, evictions,
and the obligations of landlord and tenant. Rental agreements/leases should specify the conditions of your tenancy. Disputes related to rental agreements would have to be addressed by the courts if the parties cannot agree
on a resolution.
Chapter 118B of NRS specifically covers landlord and tenant law involving rental property in a manufactured home park. The Manufactured Housing Division of Nevada's Department of Business and Industry investigates complaints between tenants and manufactured home park managers or owners. You can file a complaint with the Division by calling 702-486-4135 in Las Vegas or 775-684-2942
in Carson City or by using the complaint form available online.
Chapter 118 of NRS, also known as the Nevada Fair Housing Law, contains protections against discrimination in housing on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national
origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, familial status, or sex. You can obtain information about your rights under this law and the federal Fair Housing Act online from the Silver State Fair Housing Council or by calling the Council in Las Vegas at 702 749-3288 or Reno at 775-324-0990. You also can obtain help from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development by calling (800) 347-3739 or completing the agency's online Housing Discrimination Inquiry Form.
How can I get legal help regarding landlord/tenant issues in Las Vegas?
How can I get legal help regarding landlord/tenant issues in Carson City or Reno?
I have a criminal offense in my past. I would like to have it removed from my criminal record. Is there a process?
Under certain circumstances, you may be able to have your past offense "sealed." Several years after release from custody may need to pass before a person is eligible to petition a court to have records sealed if the person was
convicted. You may review the time periods necessary and the requirements at NRS 179.245 through NRS 179.301.
The Clark County District Attorney has compiled a handbook on the process specifically for persons who are trying to seal Clark County records; however, the information may be useful to review for anyone petitioning any Nevada
court to seal criminal offense records. The handbook and forms for sealing criminal records within Clark County may be found at this link to the District Attorney's Criminal Division webpage
You may also consider applying for a pardon from the Nevada State Board of Pardons Commissioners. If you have lost your right to bear arms in Nevada, a pardon is probably necessary
to restore the right. If you have specific questions about the pardons process, please contact the Executive Secretary of the Board at 775-687-5049.
I have a small legal dispute with someone. Whom can I see about filing a small claims action?
If you live in Clark County, before filing suit you may wish to consider using the services of the Neighborhood Justice Center.
The Center provides free mediation services to the businesses and residents of Clark County. Both parties must agree to have the Center help settle the dispute; it may present significant savings versus going the traditional
court route. The Neighborhood Justice Center is located at 330 South Third Street, Suite 600 in Las Vegas. The main telephone number is 702-455-3898.
If your dispute is with a business, you may also wish to contact the Better Business Bureau of Southern Nevada, Inc. at 702-320-4500 or the Better Business Bureau of Northern Nevada, Inc. at 775-322-0657.
If you live in Washoe County and are seeking free mediation services, you may wish to consider using the Neighborhood Mediation Center, located at 200 Ridge Street, Suite
230, in Reno. For more information, you may visit the Center's website at http://www.mediatenmc.org, call 775-788-2127, or e-mail mkales@mediatenmc.org.
Information about filing small claims actions where the amount in controversy does not exceed $10,000 may be found online for certain jurisdictions. In Clark County, you may visit the Civil Law Self-Help Center's small claims process webpage or visit the Civil Law Self-Help Center in person at 200 Lewis Avenue in Las Vegas. Washoe County also hosts a small claims process webpage explaining the filing process. If you live in a different county, the above sources may still be useful; however, contacting your local court system may help minimize differences
in procedures that might exist. You may find contact information for local courts on the Nevada Supreme Court's website.
What are the minimum automobile liability coverage requirements in Nevada?
Coverage requirements are $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in any one accident; $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more persons in any one accident;
and $20,000 for injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident.
What should I know about changing my car insurance from one company to another?
When changing from one insurance company to another, be mindful of when your old policy ends and the new policy begins. There is no grace period in Nevada. For example, if your old policy ends at 12:01 a.m. on a specific
date and your new policy goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. the next day, your car is considered to be uninsured for one day. The Department of Motor Vehicles' (DMV's)
Nevada Liability Insurance Validation Electronic (LIVE) liability insurance verification system will catch the lapse, and you could be faced with reinstatement fees and fines that start at $251. In certain situations, your
vehicle’s registration could be suspended as well. You can check the status of your existing insurance and registration online anytime at https://dmvapp.nv.gov/dmv/vr/vr_dev/VR_reg/VR_Reg_Default.aspx.
You will need your license plate number and the last 4 digits of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). For more information, see the DMV's Vehicle Registration and Insurance Reinstatement Guide.
When I'm selling my car, is it ok to just cancel the insurance?
No! If you sell your vehicle, remove the license plates, cancel your registration with the DMV, and then cancel your insurance. If law enforcement stops the new owner before he or she registers the vehicle and it is not
covered by insurance, YOU are liable. The reason is because as far as the DMV knows, the vehicle still belongs to you.
I just moved here from another state and I have motor vehicle insurance. Is it accepted in Nevada?
Out of state insurance is not accepted by Nevada. All motor vehicle policies must be written according to Nevada requirements. Coverage must be validated by an insurance company authorized to do business in the State of
Nevada. Notify your insurance company that you have moved to Nevada to make sure the policy is written to meet Nevada's requirements.
I'm having trouble with a body shop. To whom can I complain?
The DMV's Compliance Enforcement Division investigates cases of document fraud, identity theft involving the use of DMV processes, auto dealers and similar businesses, body shops, garages, emissions inspection stations, and driving
schools. Complaints can be filed using the forms on the DMV's compliance enforcement webpage.
Does Nevada have a "Lemon Law" for the
repairing of vehicles still under the original manufacturer's warranty?
Yes, Nevada law provides certain protections for purchasers of certain new vehicles covered by original manufacturers' warranties.
A "Lemon Law" is a statute designed to assist buyers whose new motor vehicles have chronic defects. Most states have adopted some form of a lemon law. Under these laws, when a new motor vehicle is found to be defective, the manufacturer
must buy it back in certain circumstances. Buyers who believe their vehicle is a "lemon" may wish to consult an attorney about procedures and deadlines.
Nevada's Lemon Law is found in
Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) 597.600 through 597.688. These laws provide that a purchaser of a new vehicle that does not conform to a manufacturer's express warranties may report the nonconformity in writing
to the manufacturer. Written notification must be made to the manufacturer: (1) before the expiration of the manufacturer's express warranties; or (2) no later than one year after the date the motor vehicle is delivered to
the original buyer, whichever occurs earlier.
Manufacturers that are notified in writing are required to make the necessary repairs so the vehicle is consistent with the manufacturers' express warranties. The manufacturer, its agent, or an authorized dealer must make a reasonable
number of attempts to correct the defect. A reasonable number of attempts is presumed if four or more attempts to repair were made within one year. The Lemon Law also applies if the vehicle is out of service due to the defect
for a cumulative 30 days in one year. If the manufacturer is unable to correct the problem and the defect impairs the use and value of the vehicle to the buyer, the manufacturer must replace the vehicle with a comparable vehicle
or accept the return of the vehicle and refund the purchase price to the buyer.
If the manufacturer has established a dispute resolution procedure, the buyer must first submit a claim for a refund or replacement under that procedure. Many manufacturers have designated the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to handle
these disputes. The BBB's Auto Line dispute resolution program may be accessed here:
www.bbb.org/autoline/bbb-auto-line-state-laws/.
Any legal actions brought against a manufacturer must commence within 18 months after delivery of the vehicle to the buyer. A manufacturer or dealer that reacquires a vehicle cannot require the buyer to refrain from disclosing
the problems experienced with the vehicle.
Applicability
Nevada's Lemon Law only applies to "self-propelled" vehicles and does not generally apply to motor homes or off-road vehicles. (NRS 482.075)
Does Nevada have a "Lemon Law” for used vehicles?
Usually a "Lemon Law" refers to provisions relating to vehicles conforming to the original manufacturer's warranty. Thus, even though the vehicle may no longer be owned by the original buyer as a "new" vehicle, the protections
of the lemon law may still apply. (See the previous question, "Does Nevada have
a 'Lemon Law' for the repairing of vehicles still under the original manufacturer’s warranty?")
In addition, Nevada law does provide certain protections to purchasers of certain higher mileage used motor vehicles. These provisions are found at NRS 482.36655
through 482.36667. A buyer who experiences problems with a used vehicle that has 75,000 or more miles on the odometer and was purchased from a used vehicle dealer may file a complaint, in writing, against the dealer to the Department of Motor
Vehicles (DMV). Information about the DMV's compliance enforcement activities, including a complaint form, is available at http://www.dmvnv.com/ced.htm. Buyers also may reach one of the DMV's Compliance Enforcement Offices by calling (702) 486-8626 in Las Vegas, (775) 684-4790 in Carson City, or (775) 684-3562 in Reno. The DMV
will investigate the complaint. If a violation of law or regulation is determined, the DMV notifies the dealer and recommends the actions necessary to resolve the complaint. If not satisfied with the decision of the DMV, either
the dealer or customer may appeal the decision to the Director of the DMV. (
NRS 482.36664)
Additional requirements apply to used vehicle dealers that have been the subject of more than three substantiated complaints with the DMV during a 12-month period. These dealers must provide an express warranty on used vehicles
they sell that have 75,000 or more miles on the odometer. (
NRS 482.36662) These warranties must comply with the following schedule stated at NRS 482.36663:
- For vehicles with at least 75,000 but less than 80,001 miles, the warranty is valid for 30 days or 1,000 miles, whichever comes first;
- For vehicles with at least 80,001 but less than 85,001 miles, the warranty is valid for 20 days or 600 miles, whichever comes first;
- For vehicles with at least 85,001 but less than 90,001 miles, the warranty is valid for 10 days or 300 miles, whichever comes first;
- For vehicles with at least 90,001 but less than 100,001 miles, the warranty is valid for 5 days or 150 miles, whichever comes first; or
- For vehicles with at least 100,001 miles, the warranty is valid for 2 days or 100 miles, whichever comes first.
What other remedies might apply to vehicle purchases?
Under Nevada's Uniform Commercial Code, when a merchant sells goods, including motor vehicles, those goods are subject to an "Implied Warranty of Merchantability." See NRS 104.2314 through 104.2318.
For more information about buying a new car and about Nevada's Lemon Law, see "Buying a New Car," by the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, at: www.lacsn.org/practice-areas/consumer-rights-project/car-information/33-buying-a-new-car.
For guidance on how to purchase a used car, as well as additional remedies that may apply to certain situations, see "Buying a Used Car," by the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, at: www.lacsn.org/practice-areas/consumer-rights-project/car-information/34-buying-a-used-car.
For residents of Clark County, the Neighborhood Justice Center (NJC) may offer free mediation services for disputes with a car dealership. For more information, please contact the NJC at (702) 455-3898 or visit its website at:
www.lasvegasjusticecourt.us/services/neighborhood_justice_center/.