{"id":374742,"date":"2017-10-04T17:03:10","date_gmt":"2017-10-04T22:03:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/nebraska-law\/nebraska-tenant-rights-laws.html"},"modified":"2017-10-05T15:58:37","modified_gmt":"2017-10-05T20:58:37","slug":"nebraska-tenant-rights-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/nebraska-law\/nebraska-tenant-rights-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Nebraska Tenant Rights Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Nebraska Tenant Rights Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

If you’re a renter, you know there’s no shortage of problems that can arise throughout the landlord-tenant relationship. Without the guidelines and protections found in Nebraska’s landlord-tenant laws<\/a>, dealing with these issues would be even more difficult. Read on to learn more about Nebraska’s tenant rights laws and how they might apply to your situation.<\/p>\r\n

Tenant Rights: From Discrimination to Eviction<\/h2>\r\n

Even before a tenancy begins, Nebraska law prohibits discrimination<\/a> based on race, religion, familial status, and other protected characteristics. Discrimination includes refusing to rent to someone or offering alternative terms and conditions based on those protected traits. Additionally, at the start of your tenancy, state law caps the amount your landlord may charge you for the security deposit<\/a> to the equivalent of one month’s rent.<\/p>\r\n

Your landlord must also provide and maintain the premises in a habitable condition<\/a> such that it complies with the applicable minimum housing codes that materially affect health and safety. This includes performing necessary repairs and maintaining heating, air conditioning, and elevator services if those are supplied or required to be supplied by the landlord. However, you and your landlord can agree in writing that you will be responsible for certain repair and maintenance tasks instead.<\/p>\r\n

These laws are meant to protect your rights and clarify your responsibilities throughout the tenancy. Therefore, it’s also important to note that Nebraska law prohibits your landlord from retaliating against you by raising the rent or threatening to evict you<\/a> for requesting repairs or exercising any of your other tenant rights.<\/p>\r\n

Nebraska Tenant Rights Laws at a Glance<\/h2>\r\n

The chart below provides a summary of Nebraska state law governing the landlord-tenant relationship, including links to key statutes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Statutes<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Security Deposits<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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  • Limit: One month’s rent<\/li>\r\n
  • Landlord must return all or part of the security deposit and written itemization of deductions within 14 days after tenant makes demand for payment and provides location where payment may be made or mailed<\/li>\r\n
  • Part or all may be used only for certain purposes, including:

Paying Rent<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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  • May not raise rent during lease term (e.g. 1 year lease) unless lease allows; may raise rent upon lease renewal<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Living Conditions<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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  • With one day’s notice, landlord may enter unit for certain reasons including:
      \r\n
    • Inspection<\/li>\r\n
    • To make necessary or agreed repairs<\/li>\r\n
    • Supply necessary or agreed services<\/li>\r\n
    • Exhibit unit to prospective purchasers or tenants<\/li>\r\n
    • Emergency (no notice or consent required)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n
    • Landlord must maintain premises in fit and habitable condition: comply with applicable housing codes; make necessary repairs; maintain electrical, heating, air conditioning, plumbing, etc. (exceptions apply)<\/li>\r\n
    • Landlord and tenant may agree to other repair and maintenance terms under certain conditions<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Discrimination<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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  • No discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, familial status, or sex<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Ending or Renewing a Tenancy<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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  • Notice required to terminate the tenancy:
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    • Fixed-term lease: no notice required<\/li>\r\n
    • Monthly tenancy: 30 days<\/li>\r\n
    • Week-to-week tenancy: seven days<\/li>\r\n
    • Lease: according to lease terms<\/li>\r\n
    • Eviction: three days for nonpayment of rent; 30 days for tenant to remedy other lease violation within 14 days<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n
    • Eviction: court order required<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Retaliation<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n