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Nevada eviction filings top 62,700 as advocates call for more time for renters
Housing advocates want Nevada to give tenants more time and a stronger chance to contest eviction notices before a case proceeds. State data show 62,701 summary eviction filings in fiscal 2025, including more than 7,100 in Reno and Sparks.
RENO, Nev. — Nevada housing advocates are urging changes to the state’s summary eviction process, arguing that renters need more time to respond and stronger court oversight before they lose their homes.
The Nevada Housing Justice Alliance is calling for landlords to file eviction complaints after serving the required notice, giving tenants an opportunity to respond through the court process. The coalition also supports rent stability, stronger enforcement of housing-condition standards and expanded access to rental assistance, coalition manager Ben Iness said Tuesday, Oct. 20.
“We need an eviction process that prioritizes due process, accountability, and housing stability rather than speed at any cost,” Iness said in a written statement.
Under Nevada’s current summary process, a tenant who wants to contest an eviction notice must file an affidavit with the court before the landlord files a case, according to Nevada Legal Services. An eviction notice does not need to be filed with a court to be valid. The coalition’s proposals are advocacy goals, not changes that have been enacted.
The scale of eviction filings is substantial. The Nevada Judiciary’s fiscal 2025 report lists 62,701 new summary eviction cases statewide, including 5,257 in Reno Justice Court and 1,911 in Sparks Justice Court. Those counts represent case filings, not the number of people who were ultimately removed from their homes.
The alliance also cited its 2024 court-watching summary, which says volunteers observed 609 hearings before 13 judges and hearing masters in three Clark County justice courts. The group reported an average hearing time of 3 minutes, 45 seconds. Those observations were made in Southern Nevada and do not establish how long hearings typically last in Reno or Sparks, or whether the cases observed represent all eviction proceedings statewide.
Iness pointed to Reno Justice Court’s Housing Court as an example of an approach that can connect renters with help. The court’s published program materials say it works with rental assistance agencies in nonpayment cases and screens applicants. Acceptance into the program does not guarantee financial assistance or stop an eviction.
The alliance plans a public “Pack The Court” event at Reno Justice Court, 1 S. Sierra St., on Oct. 27. Iness said participants will meet at 1:15 p.m., with Housing Court scheduled for 1:30 p.m. and a press conference at 2:30 p.m.
Renters seeking to contest a notice can consult Nevada Legal Services’ eviction guide or Reno Justice Court’s Civil Division. Deadlines and requirements vary depending on the notice and the circumstances.