Nebraska · Renters' rights · Updated Oct 2026
Nebraska tenant rights
Security deposits, repairs, landlord entry, notices and evictions in Nebraska, in plain English from official sources, with free tools to get your deposit back and ask for repairs.
Guides for Nebraska renters
Security deposit
Limit, deadline, deductions, penalty and the calculator.
Repairs
The landlord's duty, repair and deduct, withholding rent and a repair letter.
Eviction
Notice periods, court deadlines, illegal lockouts and a timeline tool.
Security deposit in Nebraska
- Limit
- One month's rent. A landlord may also charge a pet deposit of up to one-quarter (25%) of one month's rent. The limit does not apply to public housing agencies.
- Deadline to return it
- Within 14 days after the tenancy ends, the landlord must deliver or mail you the balance of the deposit and a written itemization of anything kept. If you do not give a mailing address, the landlord must mail it first-class to your last known address. Give your new address in writing. If the mailing comes back undeliverable, or a refund check is not cashed for one year, the money goes to the State Treasurer as unclaimed property, so you can still claim it there.
- Itemized list
- Yes. A written itemization of the amount not returned must come with the balance within 14 days. The statute does not require receipts.
- What may be deducted
- Unpaid rent and the damages the landlord suffered because you did not follow the lease or your duties under § 76-1421 (for example, damage you caused). You are not liable for damages from being removed by a government order because the landlord let the unit become unfit to live in.
- Interest
- No. The statute does not require interest.
- If the landlord keeps it wrongly
- If the landlord does not return the deposit and itemization on time, you can recover the money due plus court costs and reasonable attorney's fees. If the failure was willful and not in good faith, you can also get liquidated damages equal to one month's rent or twice the deposit, whichever is less.
How to get your deposit back
- Before you move out, clean, take dated photos and video of every room, and return all keys.
- Give your landlord your new address in writing. In Nebraska: If you do not give a mailing address, the landlord must mail it first-class to your last known address.
- Wait for the deadline: Within 14 days after the tenancy ends, the landlord must deliver or mail you the balance of the deposit and a written itemization of anything kept.
- If the money or an itemized list doesn't come, or the deductions are wrong, send a demand letter (below). Keep proof of mailing.
- If that doesn't work, sue in small claims court. Limit: $7,500, not counting interest and costs (raised from $6,000 on July 1, 2025). Small claims court in Nebraska on Small Claims Map
Repairs in Nebraska
- The landlord's duty
- The landlord must comply with minimum housing codes affecting health and safety, make repairs to keep the unit fit and habitable, keep common areas clean and safe, keep electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and supplied appliances working, provide trash containers and removal, and supply running water, reasonable hot water and reasonable heat. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1419.
- How to ask for repairs
- Give the landlord written notice describing the problem and saying the lease will end on a date at least 30 days after the landlord gets the notice if the problem is not fixed within 14 days. If the landlord fixes it before that date, the lease continues. You can also sue for damages or a court order. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1425.
- Repair and deduct
- Only for essential services. If the landlord deliberately or negligently fails to supply running water, hot water, heat or another essential service, after written notice you may buy reasonable amounts and deduct the actual cost from rent, or move to substitute housing and stop paying rent during the outage. There is no general repair-and-deduct remedy for other repairs. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1427.
- Withholding rent
- Not allowed as self-help. If the landlord sues you for unpaid rent or possession, you can counterclaim for the landlord's violations; the court may order you to pay rent into court and then divides it. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1428.
- Law
- Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1419, 76-1425, 76-1427, 76-1428
Landlord entry in Nebraska
At least 24 hours' written notice, delivered to your unit, stating the purpose and a reasonable time window, and entry only at reasonable times. No notice is needed in an emergency or when notice is impracticable. The landlord may not abuse entry or use it to harass you; if it does, you can get a court order or end the lease and recover at least one month's rent plus attorney's fees. Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1423, 76-1438.
Eviction in Nebraska
- Notice for unpaid rent
- 7-day written notice to pay. If you do not pay within 7 calendar days after the notice, the landlord may end the lease and file for possession. Weekends count. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1431(2).
- Notice for a lease violation
- 30-day notice: the lease ends at least 30 days after you receive the notice unless you fix the problem within 14 days. If the same violation happens again within 6 months, the landlord may end the lease on 14 days' notice with no chance to fix. For violent criminal activity, drug sales or activity threatening others' safety, a 5-day notice with no chance to cure (with protections for domestic violence victims). Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1431.
- Ending a month-to-month tenancy
- Landlord or tenant: written notice at least 30 days before the rent due date that ends the tenancy. Week-to-week: 7 days. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1437.
- Time to respond to an eviction lawsuit
- No written answer deadline. The summons must be served within 3 court days of issue, and the trial on possession is held 10 to 14 days after the summons is issued. Go to the hearing; if you do not appear, judgment is entered against you. Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 25-21,223, 76-1446.
- Lockouts and utility shutoffs
- Yes. If the landlord unlawfully removes or locks you out, or willfully cuts off electricity, gas, water or another essential service, you can recover possession or end the lease, and recover three months' rent as liquidated damages plus a reasonable attorney's fee. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1430.
- Court self-help
- The court's eviction self-help page
- Law
- Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1430, 76-1431, 76-1437, 76-1441, 76-1446, 25-21,223
Rent increases and rent control in Nebraska
- Notice of a rent increase
- No statute sets a rent-increase notice period. For a month-to-month tenancy, a change in terms in practice needs at least the 30-day notice used to end the tenancy (§ 76-1437).
- Rent control
- No statewide rent control or rent cap.
Late fees in Nebraska
No statute.
Retaliation in Nebraska
The landlord may not raise rent, cut services, or sue or threaten to sue for possession because you complained to a housing or building code agency about a health-and-safety violation, or because you organized or joined a tenants' union. You get the lockout remedies (three months' rent plus attorney's fees) and a defense to eviction. The statute sets no presumption period. The landlord may still evict if you are behind on rent, if you caused the code violation, or if repairs require the unit to be vacant; reasonable rent increases are allowed. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1439.
Small claims court in Nebraska
Deposit disputes usually go to small claims court, where you don't need a lawyer.
Limit: $7,500, not counting interest and costs (raised from $6,000 on July 1, 2025).
Where to get free help in Nebraska
Good to know in Nebraska
- The landlord has only 14 days after the tenancy ends to return your deposit with a written list of deductions.
- An illegal lockout or utility shutoff can cost the landlord three months' rent plus your attorney's fees.
- Nebraska has no general repair-and-deduct and no rent withholding; for repairs, use the 14/30-day written notice or sue.
- Since 2025 (LB 185), the landlord may send notices, including eviction-related notices, by email to an address you agreed to use for notices, or by posting them on an online portal with an email alert. Check that email often.
Recent law changes
LB 185 (2025) changed § 76-1413 and § 76-1410: a 'written' notice now includes one delivered by electronic means, meaning email to an address the tenant or landlord consented to use for notices, or posting on an online portal with a separate email alert; if the sender has reason to think it was not received, it must use another legal method. Small claims limit rose from $6,000 to $7,500 on July 1, 2025. No other 2024-2026 amendments appear in the history notes of the Landlord and Tenant Act sections reviewed (LB 80 of 2025 only touched the act's citation section). The 7-day nonpayment notice and 24-hour written entry notice date from LB 320 (2021).
Free tools for Nebraska renters
Pre-set for Nebraska. They run in your browser and send nothing.
Deposit return calculator for Nebraska
Find your state's deadline for returning a security deposit, whether your landlord is late and what you may be owed. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.
Security deposit demand letter for Nebraska
A short, firm and polite letter asking your landlord to return your deposit by a date. It cites your state's deposit law. Many landlords pay at this step, and the letter is proof that you asked. Fill this in, download the letter as PDF or Word (or copy it), sign it, keep a copy and send it in a way you can prove, such as certified mail with a return receipt.
Repair request letter for Nebraska
Ask your landlord in writing to fix the problem by a date. A written, dated request is the first step in almost every state, and it is proof that the landlord knew. Check the problems, add dates, then download the letter as PDF or Word (or copy it). Sign it, keep a copy and photos, and send it in a way you can prove.
Eviction notice timeline for Nebraska
Got a notice from your landlord? Enter the kind of notice and the day you got it to see the dates that follow from your state's rule, what your landlord may not do, and where to get free help fast.
This is not legal advice. Eviction deadlines are short and missing one can cost you your home. Read your notice carefully and contact legal aid or your court's self-help center right away.
Questions about renters' rights in Nebraska
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Nebraska?
One month's rent. A landlord may also charge a pet deposit of up to one-quarter (25%) of one month's rent. The limit does not apply to public housing agencies.
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Nebraska?
Within 14 days after the tenancy ends, the landlord must deliver or mail you the balance of the deposit and a written itemization of anything kept. If you do not give a mailing address, the landlord must mail it first-class to your last known address. Give your new address in writing. If the mailing comes back undeliverable, or a refund check is not cashed for one year, the money goes to the State Treasurer as unclaimed property, so you can still claim it there.
What can I do if my landlord won't return my deposit in Nebraska?
If the landlord does not return the deposit and itemization on time, you can recover the money due plus court costs and reasonable attorney's fees. If the failure was willful and not in good faith, you can also get liquidated damages equal to one month's rent or twice the deposit, whichever is less.
What can a landlord deduct from a security deposit in Nebraska?
Unpaid rent and the damages the landlord suffered because you did not follow the lease or your duties under § 76-1421 (for example, damage you caused). You are not liable for damages from being removed by a government order because the landlord let the unit become unfit to live in.
Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Nebraska?
No. The statute does not require interest.
How do I ask my landlord for repairs in Nebraska?
Give the landlord written notice describing the problem and saying the lease will end on a date at least 30 days after the landlord gets the notice if the problem is not fixed within 14 days. If the landlord fixes it before that date, the lease continues. You can also sue for damages or a court order. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1425.
Can I repair and deduct the cost from rent in Nebraska?
Only for essential services. If the landlord deliberately or negligently fails to supply running water, hot water, heat or another essential service, after written notice you may buy reasonable amounts and deduct the actual cost from rent, or move to substitute housing and stop paying rent during the outage. There is no general repair-and-deduct remedy for other repairs. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1427.
Can I withhold rent for repairs in Nebraska?
Not allowed as self-help. If the landlord sues you for unpaid rent or possession, you can counterclaim for the landlord's violations; the court may order you to pay rent into court and then divides it. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1428.
How much notice does a landlord need to enter in Nebraska?
At least 24 hours' written notice, delivered to your unit, stating the purpose and a reasonable time window, and entry only at reasonable times. No notice is needed in an emergency or when notice is impracticable. The landlord may not abuse entry or use it to harass you; if it does, you can get a court order or end the lease and recover at least one month's rent plus attorney's fees. Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1423, 76-1438.
How much notice does a landlord have to give for unpaid rent in Nebraska?
7-day written notice to pay. If you do not pay within 7 calendar days after the notice, the landlord may end the lease and file for possession. Weekends count. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1431(2).
How much notice for a lease violation in Nebraska?
30-day notice: the lease ends at least 30 days after you receive the notice unless you fix the problem within 14 days. If the same violation happens again within 6 months, the landlord may end the lease on 14 days' notice with no chance to fix. For violent criminal activity, drug sales or activity threatening others' safety, a 5-day notice with no chance to cure (with protections for domestic violence victims). Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1431.
How much notice is needed to end a month-to-month lease in Nebraska?
Landlord or tenant: written notice at least 30 days before the rent due date that ends the tenancy. Week-to-week: 7 days. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1437.
How long do I have to respond to an eviction lawsuit in Nebraska?
No written answer deadline. The summons must be served within 3 court days of issue, and the trial on possession is held 10 to 14 days after the summons is issued. Go to the hearing; if you do not appear, judgment is entered against you. Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 25-21,223, 76-1446.
Can my landlord lock me out or shut off utilities in Nebraska?
Yes. If the landlord unlawfully removes or locks you out, or willfully cuts off electricity, gas, water or another essential service, you can recover possession or end the lease, and recover three months' rent as liquidated damages plus a reasonable attorney's fee. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1430.
How much notice is needed for a rent increase in Nebraska?
No statute sets a rent-increase notice period. For a month-to-month tenancy, a change in terms in practice needs at least the 30-day notice used to end the tenancy (§ 76-1437).
Is there rent control in Nebraska?
No statewide rent control or rent cap.
Is there a limit on late fees in Nebraska?
No statute.
Can my landlord retaliate if I complain in Nebraska?
The landlord may not raise rent, cut services, or sue or threaten to sue for possession because you complained to a housing or building code agency about a health-and-safety violation, or because you organized or joined a tenants' union. You get the lockout remedies (three months' rent plus attorney's fees) and a defense to eviction. The statute sets no presumption period. The landlord may still evict if you are behind on rent, if you caused the code violation, or if repairs require the unit to be vacant; reasonable rent increases are allowed. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1439.
What is the small claims limit in Nebraska?
$7,500, not counting interest and costs (raised from $6,000 on July 1, 2025).
- Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1416
- Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1419 Landlord to maintain fit premises
- Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1423 Access
- Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1431 Noncompliance; failure to pay rent
- Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1437 Periodic tenancy
- Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1430 Unlawful ouster or diminution of service
- Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1439 Retaliatory conduct prohibited
- Nebraska Judicial Branch Self-Help: Renter/Tenant
- Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1413 Notice; electronic delivery (LB 185, 2025)
Last checked: Oct 2026.