Nebraska Landlord-Tenant Law

Maximum deposit

Landlords may not collect a security deposit above one month's rent, plus a pet deposit of up to one-quarter of one month's rent (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1416(1)). (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1416(1))

Return deadline

Landlords must deliver or mail the deposit balance and a written itemization within 14 days after the tenancy ends (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1416(2)). (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1416(2))

Itemized deductions

Landlords must send a written itemization of any amounts kept along with the balance within 14 days after the tenancy ends (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1416(2)). (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1416(2))

Interest on deposits

Nebraska law does not require landlords to pay interest on security deposits (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1416 is silent). (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1416 (silent))

Penalty for wrongful withholding

A landlord who fails to return the deposit properly owes the money due plus court costs and attorney fees, and for willful bad-faith failures also owes the lesser of one month's rent or twice the deposit (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1416(3)). (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1416(3))

Late-fee limit

Nebraska has no statute capping residential late fees, so any fee must be set in the rental agreement (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1414, 76-1415 contain no late-fee limit). (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1414 (rental agreement terms; silent on late fees), Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1415 (prohibited provisions; silent on late fees))

Grace period

Nebraska law does not require a grace period before a late fee may be charged, so any grace period comes from the lease (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1414 is silent). (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1414 (silent))

Unless there is an emergency or it is impracticable, a Nebraska landlord must give at least 24 hours' written notice stating the purpose and a reasonable window for entry, and may enter only at reasonable times (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1423(3)). (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1423, Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1438)

Either side may end a Nebraska month-to-month tenancy by written notice given at least 30 days before the rent due date named in the notice (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1437(2)). (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1437)

Nebraska has no statute setting a rent-increase notice period, so on a month-to-month tenancy a landlord should give written notice at least 30 days before the rent due date, mirroring the termination rule (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1414, 76-1437(2)). (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1414, Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1437)

Nebraska has no rent control, and since 2025 cities, villages and counties may not adopt or enforce ordinances imposing rent controls on private property; any such ordinance is void (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 13-331). (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 13-331, LB 266 (2025), slip law, Neb. Const. art. III, § 27)

• In effect since September 3, 2025.

At or before the start of the tenancy, tell the tenant in writing the name and address of the manager and of the owner or the owner's agent for notices, and give the federal lead-paint disclosure for pre-1978 housing (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1417; 42 U.S.C. § 4852d). (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1417)

• Name and address of the manager and of an owner or agent authorized to accept service of process and notices (In writing at or before the start of the tenancy, kept current) — Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1417
• Lead-based paint disclosure and EPA pamphlet (Housing built before 1978) — 42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 40 CFR Part 745 Subpart F

Unpaid rent

For unpaid rent, give written notice of nonpayment and that the lease will end if rent isn't paid within 7 calendar days; if the tenant doesn't pay in that time, you may terminate (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1431(2)). (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1431(2))

Lease violations

For a material lease violation, give written notice describing the breach and that the lease ends at least 30 days after receipt unless the breach is fixed within 14 days; a repeat of the same breach within 6 months allows a 14-day termination notice (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1431(1)). (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1431(1))