Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 40.215–40.425 § 40.230
Forcible entry defined; recovery of possession following forcible entry; treble damages.
Operative Text
1. Every person is guilty of a forcible entry who unlawfully enters any real property: (a) By means of physical force resulting in damage to a structure on the real property; (b) By any kind of violence or circumstance of terror; or (c) Peaceably or otherwise and: (1) Thereafter prevents the owner of the real property from access or occupancy of the property by changing a lock; or (2) Turns out by force, threats of violence or menacing conduct, the owner of the real property or an occupant who is authorized by the owner to be in possession of the real property. 2. The owner of the real property, an authorized representative of the owner or the occupant who is authorized by the owner to be in possession of the real property may seek to recover possession of the property pursuant to NRS 40.290 to 40.420, inclusive, after the expiration of the notice to surrender served by the owner, authorized representative of the owner or authorized occupant upon the person who committed the forcible entry. The notice must: (a) Inform the person who committed the forcible entry that he or she is guilty of forcible entry; and (b) Afford the person who committed the forcible entry 4 judicial days to surrender the property. 3. If an owner of real property or an authorized representative of the owner recovers damages for a forcible entry, judgment may be entered for three times the amount at which the actual damages are assessed. As used in this section, “actual damages” means damages to real property and personal property.
Nevada Revised Statutes § 40.230 defines "forcible entry" as unlawfully taking possession of real property through physical force that damages a structure, through violence or terror, or by peacefully entering and then locking out or threatening the rightful owner or authorized occupant. Once a forcible entry occurs, the property owner or authorized occupant may serve a notice giving the intruder four judicial days to surrender the property before pursuing formal legal action to recover possession. If the owner or their representative wins a damages award in court, the law permits the judgment to be tripled — meaning the intruder could owe three times the assessed actual damages to real and personal property.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Nev. Rev. Stat. § 40.230, property owners and their authorized representatives have a defined legal pathway to reclaim property that has been forcibly entered. A compliant operator generally documents any unauthorized entry, damage, or lock changes promptly, then serves a written notice on the intruder that explicitly states the person is guilty of forcible entry and provides the required four judicial days to vacate. Owners who pursue a civil action and prevail may seek treble damages — up to three times actual damages to real and personal property — making thorough documentation of all property damage an important operational practice.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Nev. Rev. Stat. § 40.230 is primarily designed to protect property owners and authorized occupants from unlawful takeovers, but it also extends protections to occupants who are in lawful possession with the owner's authorization. If someone has forcibly entered a property where you are an authorized occupant — for example, by changing locks or using threats to remove you — you may have standing to participate in the legal process to recover possession under NRS 40.290 to 40.420. Tenants who believe they are facing conduct that meets the definition of forcible entry under § 40.230 may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand the notice and court procedures available to them.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 22, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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