As a Las Vegas or Henderson landlord, you may have some questions about running your rental property. Nevada has several laws and legal restrictions regarding rental properties, so it can be confusing to keep up with all the regulations. To help, our Henderson and Las Vegas property management experts are sharing answers to frequently asked questions about operating a rental property, and common issues that come up while doing so.

1. What reasons can a Las Vegas landlord reject a rental application?

The rental application process is designed to find the most qualified tenant for your rental vacancy. Tenant screening is an essential step in evaluating applicants, and involves looking at the person’s background, financial status, rental history, and character. During this process, you may find that a potential tenant is not suitable for your rental property.

While you cannot deny a tenant for reasons based on discrimination, there are reasons you can reject an applicant, including:

• Poor credit report.
• Failure to provide proof of income.
• Rental history shows frequent moves.
• They have been evicted before.
• Poor professional or personal references.
• History of illegal activity.

2. Am I required to allow pets in my rental property?

Las Vegas and Henderson landlords can choose to allow pets in their rental property. However, it is not a legal requirement. While allowing pets does open more opportunities to find qualified tenants, it is entirely your choice.

Many Henderson and Las Vegas landlords do allow pets with some restrictions. For example, there may be a weight restriction for dogs or a requirement to pay an additional pet deposit in case of damage. Just keep in mind that no matter what your rules are on pets, you cannot deny an applicant who has a certified service animal solely for this reason.

3. What are my options if my tenant does not pay rent?

If your tenant fails to pay rent, Nevada law states that landlords can serve the tenant with a seven-day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit to start the eviction process. This notice officially lets the tenant know they can be evicted if they do not pay and how long they have to comply. When the notice period expires, and the tenant still has not paid rent, you can file an eviction lawsuit to get the tenant to vacate your property.

4. What can I do if a tenant repeatedly violates lease agreements?

It can be frustrating for landlords to deal with tenants who do not follow the rules outlined in the lease agreement. Although it’s possible for a tenant to make a simple mistake, it’s the repeat offenders that landlords find the most concerning.

Las Vegas landlords can serve a five-day Notice to Comply to tenants who violated their lease, which gives them five days to correct whatever violation occurred. For example, if the rental unit was damaged or the tenant has a pet when the lease states that pets are not allowed, they’ll have five days to remedy the violation if they want to stay in the rental property and avoid eviction.

5. Can I pass the cost of repairs to my tenant?

As a landlord, you are responsible for the “normal wear” of your rental property. It is your job to ensure your rental property is up to basic health, safety, and structural standards. If your tenant reports damage that makes the property unsafe or violates local codes or state laws on habitable conditions, you must make these repairs and cover the costs yourself. Examples may include:

• Plumbing problems.
• No heat or air conditioning.
• Pest infestation.
• Electrical issues.

However, if the tenant was the one who deliberately or carelessly caused the damage beyond normal wear and tear, you can typically hold them responsible for the cost of repairs.

6. Can I legally enter my rental property that is occupied by a tenant?

Just because you own the rental property does not mean you can enter at any time. Tenants have privacy rights that you must respect. If you need to conduct an inspection or perform routine maintenance, you must give your tenant at least 24 hours of notice before you access the home or unit. You should also be mindful of hours and only enter at a reasonable time.

7. Can I sell my house that is tenant occupied?

Yes, you can sell a rental property that is occupied by a tenant in Nevada. However, there are special considerations and extra steps you must take to make sure you do not breach your contract with the tenants. This could mean the buyer will need to honor the existing lease agreement until it expires, or you negotiate a payout to the tenants for them to leave early.

In these cases, it is a good idea to consult with a real estate professional to understand the process and help you avoid mistakes that could lead to legal issues.

8. When can I raise rental rates in Las Vegas?

If you want to raise rent for your rental property, you must wait until a lease agreement expires before you can make those changes. Also, you must give your tenants proper notice if their rent will increase after the lease term ends.

Currently, Nevada does not have any laws that regulate how much you can raise rental rates from one lease agreement period to the next. A new Nevada law is in the works, though, and can put a cap on how much landlords can increase rent if passed.

9. Who can manage my Las Vegas rental property?

Las Vegas and Henderson landlords who need help streamlining their rental business and want to work with a property manager should always look for a licensed professional. In Nevada, a qualified property manager needs credentials to be a real estate broker or salesperson and a property management permit.

An experienced Henderson and/or Las Vegas property management company will have the necessary credentials, licenses, and permits to manage your property and help you optimize your rental income. If you are actively looking for a trusted property manager, here are some questions to ask before hiring a Las Vegas property manager to help you find the right one for your needs.

Las Vegas Property Management Made Easy

Black & Cherry Real Estate has decades of experience helping landlords in Las Vegas, Henderson, and across Southern Nevada run their rental businesses. Our experienced property managers have all the resources, technology, and skills to handle everything from tenant screening, to rent collection and advertising, to accounting. Contact our property management team to learn how we can help you.