Reno Landlord-Tenant Rules

Habitability/code enforcement & complaint line: Reno Code Enforcement handles substandard rental housing. For non-emergency problems, such as a cracked window, missing door handles or missing screens, the tenant must first give the landlord the city's written 14-Day Notice to Landlord and wait 14 days before reporting. Emergencies, such as no hot water, no water to the toilet, raw sewage or no permanent heat, can be reported right away. Report through Reno Direct at 775-334-4636 or online. Housing complaints cannot be anonymous, because officers need the tenant's permission to enter. Owners usually get about 30 days to fix a violation before a citation. Residential citations are $100, then $250, then $500, and the $500 citation can be repeated. Open-case questions: 775-334-2229.; Eviction diversion/assistance: Reno Justice Court's Housing Court partners with rental assistance agencies to give quick decisions to tenants facing eviction for nonpayment. A tenant asks to join by filing a Request to Participate in Housing Court with the Tenant's Affidavit. Acceptance only means the court refers the case to an agency. It does not guarantee assistance or prevent eviction, and tenants do not need to be accepted to apply for help directly. Rental assistance may be available from the City of Reno (housingassistance@reno.gov, 775-334-3310).; Legal aid: Free legal advice on evictions is available through the Reno Justice Court Self-Help Center, run with Northern Nevada Legal Aid (selfhelp@nnlegalaid.org, 775-321-2062). Northern Nevada Legal Aid's main line is 775-329-2727.; State preemption: No Nevada statute expressly barring cities from adopting rent control or other tenant protections was found. Nevada cities have home-rule power only over 'matters of local concern', which excludes matters needing statewide uniformity and business activities already substantially regulated by the state. No Reno rent control, just-cause or tenant-protection ordinance was found in the city sources reviewed.