How Long Does a Landlord Have to Fix Mold in Nevada?
In Nevada, a landlord has 14 days to fix mold after the tenant delivers written notice. That deadline comes from NRS 118A.355, and the clock does not start until the notice is actually delivered and received.
The reason most people cannot find a straight answer is that Nevada has no mold law. The word “mold” does not appear anywhere in NRS Chapter 118A, the state’s landlord and tenant statute. Mold is enforced indirectly, through the landlord’s duty to keep the property habitable, and understanding that distinction is what turns a frustrating complaint into an enforceable one.
Why there is no mold deadline, only a habitability deadline
NRS 118A.290 lists what a landlord must maintain for a dwelling to be habitable. Several items on that list are exactly what causes and sustains mold growth:
- Effective waterproofing and weather protection of the roof and exterior walls, including windows and doors
- Plumbing facilities maintained in good working order
- Premises that are clean and sanitary
- Floors, walls, ceilings, stairways and railings maintained in good repair
- Ventilation and air-conditioning systems maintained in good repair
So the enforceable complaint is rarely “there is mold.” It is “the roof leaks,” “the plumbing is failing,” “the AC is not maintained,” or “the wall is not in good repair,” with mold as the visible evidence. Framing it that way puts the problem inside the statute instead of outside it.
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The 14 day clock, and what starts it
Under NRS 118A.355, a tenant who believes the landlord has failed to maintain a habitable dwelling delivers written notice specifying each failure and requesting that it be remedied. If the landlord adequately remedies the failure, or uses best efforts to remedy it, within 14 days of receiving that notice, the tenant cannot proceed further under that section.
Three details decide most disputes:
- It must be written. A phone call, a text to a maintenance number, or a verbal complaint at the office does not start the clock in a way you can later prove.
- It must specify each failure. “There is mold in the bathroom” is weaker than “water is leaking from the supply line under the sink and mold is growing on the adjacent wall.”
- Receipt matters. The 14 days run from when the landlord receives the notice, so keep proof of delivery.
What happens if the 14 days pass
If the landlord fails to remedy a material failure, or fails to make a reasonable effort to do so, within that time, NRS 118A.355 gives the tenant several options: terminate the rental agreement immediately, recover actual damages, apply to the court for relief, or withhold rent that becomes due without incurring late fees until the landlord has remedied or has attempted in good faith to remedy the failure. If the agreement is terminated, the landlord must return all prepaid rent and recoverable security.
Those are significant remedies, which is precisely why the written notice and the documentation behind it matter so much. A dispute that reaches a court turns on what was reported, when, and what the condition actually was.
This is general information about Nevada statute, not legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, speak to an attorney or contact Nevada Legal Services.
What “best efforts” usually looks like on a real job
The statute rewards a landlord who genuinely acts, not one who merely responds. In practice, best efforts on a mold complaint means finding and stopping the water source, not painting over the stain. If the moisture is still there, the growth returns and the fourteen days effectively reset with the next notice.
For a property owner, that means the fastest route to compliance is a professional mold inspection that identifies the moisture source in writing, followed by documented mold remediation if the finding warrants it. Written findings protect the owner as much as the tenant, because they establish what was wrong and what was done about it.
Nevada also sets no licensing bar specific to mold work, which is covered in more detail on our page about Nevada mold regulations. That absence is why the contractor’s own standard and documentation carry so much weight here.
Common questions
- How long does my landlord have to fix mold in Nevada?
- Fourteen days from receipt of your written notice, under NRS 118A.355, provided the failure is remediable. If the landlord adequately remedies it or makes best efforts within that window, you cannot proceed further under that section.
- Is there a Nevada law specifically about mold in rentals?
- No. The word “mold” does not appear in NRS Chapter 118A. Mold complaints are enforced through the landlord’s habitability duties in NRS 118A.290, which cover waterproofing, plumbing, sanitary premises, walls and ceilings in good repair, and ventilation and air-conditioning.
- Does a text message count as written notice?
- The statute requires written notice delivered to the landlord. A text may be written, but relying on it is risky if delivery or receipt is later disputed. A dated letter with proof of delivery is far easier to rely on.
- Can I stop paying rent because of mold?
- Only after the process in NRS 118A.355 has run. Rent withholding is one of the remedies available if the landlord fails to remedy a material habitability failure within the 14 days, and it applies to rent that becomes due after that point. Withholding rent before following the notice process puts you at risk.
- Who pays for the mold inspection in a rental?
- The property owner. We arrange inspections with whoever owns or manages the property, because they are the party who can authorise access and approve any work that follows.
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