Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 40.215–40.425 § 40.240
Forcible detainer defined; recovery of possession following forcible detainer; treble damages.
Operative Text
1. Every person is guilty of a forcible detainer who either: (a) Unlawfully holds and keeps the possession of any real property by force or threats of violence, or whether the possession was acquired peaceably or otherwise; or (b) Enters any real property without the authority of the owner of the property, an authorized representative of the owner or an occupant who is authorized by the owner to be in possession of the real property and who, after receiving written notice to surrender pursuant to subsection 2, fails to surrender the 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 or authorized occupant upon the person who committed the forcible detainer. The notice must: (a) Inform the person who committed the forcible detainer that he or she is guilty of a forcible detainer; and (b) Afford the person who committed the forcible detainer 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 detainer, 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 § 40.240 defines "forcible detainer" as the unlawful holding of real property through force or threats, or the unauthorized entry onto property followed by a refusal to leave after receiving written notice. A person who commits a forcible detainer must be given a written notice that identifies the violation and allows 4 judicial days to surrender the property before a court action to recover possession may proceed under NRS 40.290–40.420. If the property owner or their authorized representative wins a damages award in such a case, the court may enter judgment for up to three times the actual damages suffered to real or personal property.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Nev. Rev. Stat. § 40.240, property owners and their authorized representatives have a defined legal pathway to reclaim property from someone who is unlawfully holding it by force or who entered without authorization. A compliant operator generally serves a written notice that explicitly states the forcible detainer violation and gives the occupant 4 judicial days to vacate before initiating court proceedings under NRS 40.290–40.420. Owners who prevail in a forcible detainer action may seek a judgment for treble damages — up to three times the assessed actual damages to real or personal property — making proper documentation of any property damage an important part of the process.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Nev. Rev. Stat. § 40.240 sets out specific conditions that must be met before a property owner can pursue a forcible detainer action: the person must either be holding property through force or threats, or must have entered without authorization and then refused to leave after receiving proper written notice. The written notice itself must meet statutory requirements — it must identify the forcible detainer and provide a full 4 judicial days to surrender — and a failure to comply with these requirements could be relevant to any court proceeding under NRS 40.290–40.420. Individuals who believe a forcible detainer action has been improperly initiated against them may wish to review the notice they received for compliance with § 40.240's requirements and consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider for general information about available options.
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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