Do I have tenant rights if I’ve stayed in a Nevada motel for less than 30 days?

Usually, no. You are considered a guest until you have stayed 30 consecutive days, meaning the motel owner may remove you without going to court.

What should I do if my motel tries to evict me after 30 days without a court order?

You should contact the local Justice Court and file a Tenant’s Answer to Summary Eviction. You have the right to contest the eviction and cannot be removed without a court order.

Can a hotel or motel raise my rent or change the rules suddenly after I become a tenant?

After 30 days, they must follow Nevada landlord-tenant laws for any rent increases or changes to your terms. Typically, this means giving you advance written notice.

What if the hotel/motel refuses to fix an unsafe condition?

Once you are a tenant, you can use Nevada law to request repairs and, if needed, file a complaint with the court for unsafe living conditions.

Who decides eviction disputes between hotel/motel tenants and owners?

The county’s Justice Court (Justice of the Peace Court) handles all such disputes and eviction hearings in Nevada.

Nevada Hotel and Motel Tenant Rights: What Renters Need to Know

Special Housing Types & Situations Nevada published June 21, 2025

If you’re staying long-term in a hotel or motel in Nevada, you may not be sure whether you’re considered a tenant or just a guest. Understanding this difference is vital, as it decides which protections, eviction processes, and landlord responsibilities apply to your situation under Nevada law. Whether you’re worried about a sudden eviction notice or simply want to know your rights, this guide covers what renters living in hotels or motels need to know in Nevada.

When Does a Hotel or Motel Stay Become a Tenancy in Nevada?

Nevada law treats hotel and motel occupants as guests unless they stay for 30 days (or more) without interruption. Once you reach 30 consecutive days, you become a "tenant" under Nevada landlord-tenant law (NRS Chapter 118A – Landlord and Tenant: Dwellings)[1].

Before 30 days: You are a guest. Hotel/motel owners can often ask you to leave without using the formal court-eviction process.
After 30 consecutive days: You are a tenant, with full rights and eviction protections under Nevada law.

If you move from room to room without interruption or continue renting under the same hotel/motel business, days will accumulate. Carefully track your check-in dates!

Key Rights and Responsibilities for Hotel and Motel Tenants

Once you become a tenant (after 30 days), you gain the following legal protections and responsibilities:

The motel/hotel must follow the legal eviction process to remove you
You have a right to a written notice before any eviction
You may have a right to request repairs or maintenance for unsafe conditions
The owner cannot lock you out or remove your belongings without a court order

Before reaching tenant status, hotel/motel management may remove you much more quickly and with less notice. It’s important to know exactly when your status changes.

Eviction Rules and Notice Requirements

If you have become a tenant, the owner must follow Nevada’s eviction rules, including giving official written notice. The required notice depends on the reason for eviction:

Nonpayment of Rent: You must receive a 7-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit (Clark County Civil Law Self-Help Center).
Other Reasons (such as rule violations): The timeline varies (typically 5-30 days depending on the violation).

If you receive a notice, you have the right to respond or contest it in court. The Justice Court in your county—also called the Justice of the Peace Court—handles all eviction and landlord-tenant matters (Nevada Justice Courts Directory)[2].

Key Official Forms for Hotel and Motel Tenants

Five-Day Notice to Quit (Nonpayment of Rent) (Download official form (PDF))
When used: If the hotel/motel claims you owe rent after you become a tenant, they must serve you this form. For example, if your daily rate is unpaid for several days beyond 30 days’ stay, you can receive this notice and have five days to pay or respond.
Tenant’s Answer to Summary Eviction (Answer to Summary Eviction form)
When used: If you receive an eviction notice from your hotel/motel, you can use this form to formally contest the eviction in court. File it with the local Justice Court.
Application for Stay of Eviction (Application for Stay of Eviction form)
When used: If evicted, this form asks the court for more time before you must leave. You’d use it if you need extra days to move your belongings after a court eviction order.

How to Protect Your Tenancy or Contest an Eviction

If you believe you have become a tenant and the hotel or motel tries to evict you without proper notice or court proceedings, Nevada law allows you to seek help. Here’s what you can do:

Document your stay (keep receipts, emails, or records showing your length of stay and payments).
File a "Tenant’s Answer to Summary Eviction" with the Justice Court if you receive an eviction notice you believe is improper.
Contact legal help or the self-help center in your county if your belongings are removed or you face lockout without court order.

Summary: Carefully track your days in the hotel/motel. As soon as you cross the 30-day mark, your rights under Nevada's landlord-tenant laws protect you from immediate removal without court involvement.

Tip: Always keep copies of your receipts and written communications with property management. They are vital for proving your length of stay and tenancy rights if a dispute arises.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have tenant rights if I’ve stayed in a Nevada motel for less than 30 days?
Usually, no. You are considered a guest until you have stayed 30 consecutive days, meaning the motel owner may remove you without going to court.
What should I do if my motel tries to evict me after 30 days without a court order?
You should contact the local Justice Court and file a Tenant’s Answer to Summary Eviction. You have the right to contest the eviction and cannot be removed without a court order.
Can a hotel or motel raise my rent or change the rules suddenly after I become a tenant?
After 30 days, they must follow Nevada landlord-tenant laws for any rent increases or changes to your terms. Typically, this means giving you advance written notice.
What if the hotel/motel refuses to fix an unsafe condition?
Once you are a tenant, you can use Nevada law to request repairs and, if needed, file a complaint with the court for unsafe living conditions.
Who decides eviction disputes between hotel/motel tenants and owners?
The county’s Justice Court (Justice of the Peace Court) handles all such disputes and eviction hearings in Nevada.

Conclusion / Key Takeaways

Hotel and motel guests in Nevada do not become tenants—and gain full eviction protections—until 30 consecutive days of stay.
After 30 days, you can only be evicted with notice and a court process under Nevada law.
Always keep documentation of your stay and respond promptly if you receive an eviction notice.

Knowing your rights helps ensure you aren’t removed too quickly or unfairly from your hotel or motel room.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

Clark County Civil Law Self-Help Center – Tenant Eviction Resources
Nevada Justice Courts Directory – Locate your local court for eviction issues
Nevada Housing Division – General tenant-landlord rights and contacts
Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 118A – Landlord and Tenant Law