Nebraska · Repairs · Updated Oct 2026

Nebraska tenant repair rights

What a landlord in Nebraska must keep in repair, how to ask for repairs, whether you can repair and deduct or withhold rent, and the protection against retaliation.

Short answer

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.

Repair and deduct
Only in limited cases
Withholding rent
Not allowed
Notice before entry
24 hours

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.

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.

Get repairs made, step by step

  1. Write down the problem and take dated photos or video.
  2. Ask in writing and keep a copy. 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.
  3. Give the landlord the time the rule allows, and let them in to do the work with proper notice.
  4. If nothing happens, call your local housing or code inspector and talk to legal aid before you stop paying any rent.
  5. Keep paying rent unless the rule above lets you withhold it and you follow its steps exactly.

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.

Your letter is made in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to us or anyone else.

The name on your lease or rent receipts.

What needs repair? (required)

Your state's rule on repair requests is shown below the form.

Nebraska's rule on asking 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.

Dates, rooms and how the problem affects you. This text goes into the letter as written.

Where to get free help in Nebraska

Questions about repairs in Nebraska

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.

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.

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Sources

Last checked: Oct 2026.