Nebraska Landlord-Tenant Laws: Key Rental Rules (2026)
Security deposits, notice periods, landlord entry, and other key rental rules in Nebraska, each linked to the state law it comes from.
By the ListMyHomes.com™ Editorial TeamPublished Last reviewed
This page summarizes the main landlord-tenant rules in Nebraska. Each rule in the table below links to the law it comes from.
Key rules at a glance
| Rule | Nebraska |
|---|---|
| Where these laws apply | Nebraska's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act governs rental agreements for dwelling units located in Nebraska, wherever the agreement was made. No section of the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1401 to 76-1449) limits where it applies by county, city or population. Unless created to avoid the Act, it does not govern residence at an institution incidental to detention or to medical, geriatric, educational, counseling, religious or similar services; occupancy by a buyer under a contract of sale; occupancy by a member of a fraternal or social organization in the part of a structure operated for its benefit; transient occupancy in a hotel or motel; occupancy by an employee whose right to occupy depends on employment in and about the premises; occupancy by a condominium owner or a cooperative's proprietary-lease holder; premises used by the occupant primarily for agricultural purposes; or a lease of residential land for a term of five years or more. Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1407, 76-1408 |
| Security deposit limit | One month's periodic rent. A pet deposit of up to one-fourth of one month's periodic rent may also be charged when appropriate. This limit does not apply to housing agencies under the Nebraska Housing Agency Act. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1416(1) |
| Where deposits are held | No requirement in the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1401 to 76-1449). Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1401 to 76-1449 (no provision) |
| Returning the deposit | Within 14 days after the tenancy ends, the landlord must deliver or mail the balance of the deposit, if any, and a written itemization. If the tenant gives no mailing address or instructions, the landlord must send them by first-class mail to the tenant's last-known mailing address; a mailing returned as undeliverable, or a returned balance still outstanding after one year, is reported and paid to the State Treasurer as abandoned property. If the landlord does not comply, the tenant may recover the property and money due, court costs and reasonable attorney's fees; if the failure is willful and not in good faith, also liquidated damages of one month's periodic rent or twice the deposit, whichever is less. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1416(2), (3) |
| Deposit deductions | When the tenancy ends, prepaid rent and security may be applied to unpaid rent and to the damages the landlord has suffered because the tenant did not comply with the rental agreement or with § 76-1421. A tenant is not liable for damages directly related to removal from the premises by government order because the premises were unfit for habitation due to the landlord's negligence or neglect. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1416(2), (4) |
| Interest on deposits | Not required by the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1401 to 76-1449). Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1401 to 76-1449 (no provision) |
| Landlord entry notice | At least 24 hours' written notice of the intent to enter, given to each individual unit and stating the purpose and a reasonable period for the entry, and entry only at reasonable times, except in an emergency or where that is impracticable. The landlord may enter without the tenant's consent in an emergency. The tenant may not unreasonably refuse entry to inspect, make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations or improvements, supply necessary or agreed services, or show the unit to prospective or actual buyers, mortgagees, tenants, workers or contractors. The landlord may not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1423 |
| Notice to end a month-to-month lease | Written notice at least 30 days before the periodic rental date named in the notice, by either the landlord or the tenant (week-to-week: 7 days before the termination date named in the notice). Unless the rental agreement fixes a definite term, the tenancy is week to week for a roomer who pays weekly rent and month to month in all other cases. Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1437(1), (2), 76-1414(4) |
| Rent-increase notice | No notice period in the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1401 to 76-1449). A landlord may not raise rent to retaliate against a tenant for complaining to a government agency responsible for enforcing a building or housing code of a violation materially affecting health and safety, or for organizing or joining a tenants' union or similar organization. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1439(1), (2); Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1401 to 76-1449 (no provision) |
| Late fees | No limit or grace period in the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1401 to 76-1449). Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1401 to 76-1449 (no provision) |
| Notice for unpaid rent | Written notice of the nonpayment and that the lease will end if the rent is not paid within 7 calendar days; if it is not paid, the landlord may end the lease. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1431(2) |
| Rent control | No cap on rent amounts or rent increases in the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1401 to 76-1449). Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1401 to 76-1449 (no provision) |
| Required landlord disclosures | In writing at or before the start of the tenancy: the name and address of the person authorized to manage the premises, and of an owner or a person authorized to act for the owner to receive legal papers, notices and demands; the information must be kept current. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1417(1), (2) Federal law: For housing built before 1978 (with limited exceptions): before the tenant is bound by the lease, the landlord must give the EPA lead-hazard pamphlet and disclose any known lead-based paint or hazards and any available reports. 42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 40 CFR 745.107 |
| Fair housing protected classes | Race, color, religion, national origin, disability, familial status, sex, and military or veteran status. Military or veteran status appears in Nebraska's law but not in the federal list. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 20-318(1); 42 U.S.C. § 3604 |
What this means for renters
Before you sign, compare the lease's deposit amount, rent due date, and late-fee terms with the rules above. At move-in, record the unit's condition with dated photos. When you move out, give the written notice your lease and the rules above call for, leave a forwarding address, and keep copies of everything you send and receive.
What this means for landlords who manage their own rental
List the unit with its rent, deposit, and lease terms. Screen every applicant by the same written criteria, within fair-housing law. Collect the deposit and give notices following the rules above, and keep records of the unit's condition at move-in and move-out.
List your rental on ListMyHomes.com for one flat fee, or browse rentals in Nebraska listed directly by owners.
Frequently asked questions
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Nebraska?
One month's periodic rent. A pet deposit of up to one-fourth of one month's periodic rent may also be charged when appropriate. This limit does not apply to housing agencies under the Nebraska Housing Agency Act. See the source in the table above.
How long does a Nebraska landlord have to return a security deposit?
Within 14 days after the tenancy ends, the landlord must deliver or mail the balance of the deposit, if any, and a written itemization. If the tenant gives no mailing address or instructions, the landlord must send them by first-class mail to the tenant's last-known mailing address; a mailing returned as undeliverable, or a returned balance still outstanding after one year, is reported and paid to the State Treasurer as abandoned property. If the landlord does not comply, the tenant may recover the property and money due, court costs and reasonable attorney's fees; if the failure is willful and not in good faith, also liquidated damages of one month's periodic rent or twice the deposit, whichever is less. See the source in the table above.
How much notice must a Nebraska landlord give before entering?
At least 24 hours' written notice of the intent to enter, given to each individual unit and stating the purpose and a reasonable period for the entry, and entry only at reasonable times, except in an emergency or where that is impracticable. The landlord may enter without the tenant's consent in an emergency. The tenant may not unreasonably refuse entry to inspect, make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations or improvements, supply necessary or agreed services, or show the unit to prospective or actual buyers, mortgagees, tenants, workers or contractors. The landlord may not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant. See the source in the table above.
How much notice ends a month-to-month lease in Nebraska?
Written notice at least 30 days before the periodic rental date named in the notice, by either the landlord or the tenant (week-to-week: 7 days before the termination date named in the notice). Unless the rental agreement fixes a definite term, the tenancy is week to week for a roomer who pays weekly rent and month to month in all other cases. See the source in the table above.
How much notice is required for a rent increase in Nebraska?
No notice period in the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1401 to 76-1449). A landlord may not raise rent to retaliate against a tenant for complaining to a government agency responsible for enforcing a building or housing code of a violation materially affecting health and safety, or for organizing or joining a tenants' union or similar organization. See the source in the table above.
How much can a Nebraska landlord charge for late rent?
No limit or grace period in the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1401 to 76-1449). See the source in the table above.
How much notice must a Nebraska landlord give when rent is unpaid?
Written notice of the nonpayment and that the lease will end if the rent is not paid within 7 calendar days; if it is not paid, the landlord may end the lease. See the source in the table above.
Does Nebraska have rent control?
No cap on rent amounts or rent increases in the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1401 to 76-1449). See the source in the table above.
Rentals in Nebraska listed by owners
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