--- title: "Nebraska Landlord Rules: Deposits, Notices, Evictions | MCC" description: "Nebraska landlord-tenant rules: deposit capped at 1 month of rent, deposit returned within 14 days. Official sources linked." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/tools/nebraska-landlord-rules" --- Free tool · Nebraska · Landlords and tenants # Nebraska landlord rules: deposits, notices and the eviction steps The deposit rules, notice periods, eviction case and small claims limit for Nebraska, each from the state's own pages or courts. **Quick answer.** Security deposit return deadline in Nebraska: Within 14 days after the tenancy ends, delivered or mailed with a written itemization (76-1416(2)). Deposit limit: No more than one month's periodic rent, plus a pet deposit of no more than one-fourth of a month's rent where appropriate (76-1416(1)). **Sources checked:** November 2026 **Quick answer.** Nebraska: deposit capped at 1 month of rent; deposit returned within 14 days; 30-day notice to end month-to-month; 7-day notice for unpaid rent; 24-hour entry notice; $7,500 small claims limit. 15 of 23 items are confirmed on official pages; 8 are marked not confirmed, with the page to check. ## Key numbers Deposit limit 1 month's rent Deposit back within 14 days Month-to-month notice (landlord) 30 days Unpaid rent notice 7 days Entry notice 24 hours Writ to lockout Up to 10 days Small claims limit $7,500 ## Security deposit (6 of 6 confirmed) Law read: Neb. Rev. Stat. 76-1416. Need the other side served? [Process serving with an affidavit of service](/notary/process-serving). - ### ConfirmedDeposit limit No more than one month's periodic rent, plus a pet deposit of no more than one-fourth of a month's rent where appropriate (76-1416(1)). Source: [Nebraska Legislature: 76-1416, Security deposits; prepaid rent](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=76-1416), checked November 2026 - ### ConfirmedReturn deadline Within 14 days after the tenancy ends, delivered or mailed with a written itemization (76-1416(2)). Source: [Nebraska Legislature: 76-1416, Security deposits; prepaid rent](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=76-1416), checked November 2026 - ### ConfirmedItemized list of deductions A written itemization of deductions (76-1416(2)). Source: [Nebraska Legislature: 76-1416, Security deposits; prepaid rent](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=76-1416), checked November 2026 - ### ConfirmedInterest on the deposit None stated in Neb. Rev. Stat. 76-1416 (as amended through Laws 2021, LB532). Source: [Nebraska Legislature: 76-1416, Security deposits; prepaid rent](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=76-1416), checked November 2026 - ### ConfirmedWhere the deposit is held None stated in 76-1416: no account type is named. A balance unclaimed for one year is abandoned property reported and paid to the State Treasurer (76-1416(2)). Source: [Nebraska Legislature: 76-1416, Security deposits; prepaid rent](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=76-1416), checked November 2026 - ### ConfirmedPenalty the law states Money due, court costs and attorney fees; for willful, bad-faith noncompliance, liquidated damages of one month's rent or twice the deposit, whichever is less (76-1416(3)). Source: [Nebraska Legislature: 76-1416, Security deposits; prepaid rent](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=76-1416), checked November 2026 More: [Security deposit rules by state](/tools/security-deposit-rules-by-state#st-NE) · [Deposit return deadline calculator](/tools/security-deposit-return-deadline-calculator?state=NE) ## Notice periods (4 of 6 confirmed) What the official text says about each notice. Cities and counties can add their own notice, just-cause or rent rules. Check local rules too. | Notice | Rule | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Ending month-to-month (landlord) | Written notice at least 30 days before the periodic rental date named in the notice (7 days for week-to-week). Either side may give it. | Source: [Nebraska Legislature: Neb. Rev. Stat. 76-1437](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=76-1437&print=true), checked November 2026 (Neb. Rev. Stat. 76-1437(2)) | | Ending month-to-month (tenant) | Written notice at least 30 days before the periodic rental date named in the notice (7 days for week-to-week). Either side may give it. | Source: [Nebraska Legislature: Neb. Rev. Stat. 76-1437](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=76-1437&print=true), checked November 2026 (Neb. Rev. Stat. 76-1437(2)) | | Rent increase notice | Not confirmed — check [Nebraska Legislature: Neb. Rev. Stat. 76-1437](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=76-1437&print=true). Not in the sections read. Check Neb. Rev. Stat. 76-1401 to 76-1449. | | | Unpaid rent notice | 7 calendar days after written notice of nonpayment and intent to terminate. | Source: [Nebraska Legislature: Neb. Rev. Stat. 76-1431](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=76-1431), checked November 2026 (Neb. Rev. Stat. 76-1431(2)) | | Entry notice | At least 24 hours' written notice to each unit, stating the purpose and a reasonable entry window; reasonable times; except emergencies or where impracticable. | Source: [Nebraska Legislature: Neb. Rev. Stat. 76-1423](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=76-1423), checked November 2026 (Neb. Rev. Stat. 76-1423(3)) | | Late fee limits | Not confirmed — check [Nebraska Legislature: Neb. Rev. Stat. 76-1437](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=76-1437&print=true). Not in the sections read. Check the lease. | | More: [Notice periods by state](/tools/landlord-tenant-notice-periods-by-state#st-NE) · [Notice date calculator](/tools/notice-date-calculator?state=NE) ## Eviction case, in order (4 of 10 confirmed) - **Notice before filing** The written notice comes first; its length is in the notice table above.Unpaid rent: 7 calendar days after written notice of nonpayment and intent to terminate. - **Filing the case** Where the case goes and what it costs to start. #### Not confirmedCourt Not confirmed — check [Nebraska Revised Statutes 76-1446](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=76-1446). Not confirmed on an official page we opened. - #### Not confirmedFiling fee Not confirmed — check [Nebraska Revised Statutes 76-1446](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=76-1446). Not confirmed on an official page we opened. - **The tenant's answer or appearance** #### Not confirmedTime to answer or appear Not confirmed — check [Nebraska Revised Statutes 76-1446](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=76-1446). Not confirmed on an official page we opened. - **Hearing or trial** #### ConfirmedHearing after filing Trial is held 10 to 14 days after the summons issues.shall be held not less than ten nor more than fourteen days after the issuance Source: [Nebraska Revised Statutes 76-1446](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=76-1446), checked November 2026 - **Judgment and the writ** The order that lets the officer act. #### Not confirmedJudgment to writ Not confirmed — check [Nebraska Revised Statutes 76-1446](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=76-1446). Not confirmed on an official page we opened. - **Lockout** Carried out by an officer, not by either side. #### ConfirmedWrit to lockout Possession is restored no more than ten days after the writ of restitution issues.not more than ten days after issuance of the writ of restitution. Source: [Nebraska Revised Statutes 76-1446](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=76-1446), checked November 2026 - #### ConfirmedWho carries out the lockout The writ directs the constable or sheriff to restore possession.the constable or sheriff Source: [Nebraska Revised Statutes 76-1446](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=76-1446), checked November 2026 - **Along the way** Paying to stop the case, counsel and diversion programs. #### Not confirmedPaying to stop the case Not confirmed — check [Nebraska Revised Statutes 76-1446](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=76-1446). Not confirmed on an official page we opened. - #### ConfirmedRight to counsel (statewide) Limited: a 2024 state law gives public housing tenants in cities of the metropolitan class (currently only Omaha) a right to counsel in eviction cases; other tenants have no statewide right (as of November 2026, per the National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel).Public housing tenants in “cities of the metropolitan class” (currently, only Omaha). Source: [National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel (secondary source): National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel: Enacted Eviction Right to Counsel and Eviction Defense Programs (last modified November 2026)](https://civilrighttocounsel.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RTC_Enacted_Legislation_in_Eviction_Proceedings_FINAL.pdf), checked November 2026 - #### Not confirmedDiversion or mediation (statewide) Not confirmed — check [Nebraska Revised Statutes 76-1446](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=76-1446). Not confirmed on an official page we opened. The case is tried by the judge without a jury. ### Example: a case filed Monday, March 1, 2027 The earliest date of each stage the confirmed rules allow, from our eviction timeline estimator. Earliest under the statute; courts' calendars often take longer. | Stage | Earliest date | | --- | --- | | Case filed | Monday, March 1, 2027 | | Hearing or trial | Thursday, March 11, 2027 | | Judgment | Thursday, March 11, 2027 | More: [Eviction process timeline by state](/tools/eviction-process-timeline-by-state) · [Eviction timeline estimator](/tools/eviction-timeline-estimator?state=ne) ## Deposit disputes: small claims - ### ConfirmedSmall claims limit (for a deposit dispute) $7,500: the most a small claims case can ask for.Judgments in small claims court may not exceed $7,500. Nebraska Judicial Branch announced the limit rose from $6,000 to $7,500 effective July 1, 2025, under LB139 (2024) provisions (limit set under Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-2802).Filing fee to start a case: $6.25. Source: [Nebraska Judicial Branch: Filing a Small Claims Case in Nebraska](https://nebraskajudicial.gov/self-help/small-claims/filing-small-claims-case-nebraska), checked November 2026 More: [Nebraska small claims court](/tools/small-claims-nebraska) ## Still to confirm - Rent increase notice: check [Nebraska Legislature: Neb. Rev. Stat. 76-1437](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=76-1437&print=true) - Late fee limits: check [Nebraska Legislature: Neb. Rev. Stat. 76-1437](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=76-1437&print=true) - Court: check [Nebraska Revised Statutes 76-1446](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=76-1446) - Filing fee: check [Nebraska Revised Statutes 76-1446](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=76-1446) - Time to answer or appear: check [Nebraska Revised Statutes 76-1446](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=76-1446) - Judgment to writ: check [Nebraska Revised Statutes 76-1446](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=76-1446) - Paying to stop the case: check [Nebraska Revised Statutes 76-1446](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=76-1446) - Diversion or mediation (statewide): check [Nebraska Revised Statutes 76-1446](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=76-1446) General information, not legal advice. We are not lawyers, and MCC Solutions is not a law firm. The same rules apply whichever side of the lease you are on; this page describes them and doesn't take a side. Rules change, cities and counties can add their own, a lease can add terms, and the official source has the final word. ## Common questions **How much can a security deposit be in Nebraska?** No more than one month's periodic rent, plus a pet deposit of no more than one-fourth of a month's rent where appropriate (76-1416(1)). **How long does a Nebraska landlord have to return a deposit?** Within 14 days after the tenancy ends, delivered or mailed with a written itemization (76-1416(2)). What goes with it: A written itemization of deductions (76-1416(2)). **How much notice ends a month-to-month tenancy in Nebraska?** From the landlord: Written notice at least 30 days before the periodic rental date named in the notice (7 days for week-to-week). Either side may give it. From the tenant: Written notice at least 30 days before the periodic rental date named in the notice (7 days for week-to-week). Either side may give it. **What notice comes before an unpaid-rent case in Nebraska?** 7 calendar days after written notice of nonpayment and intent to terminate. **How much notice before a landlord enters a rental in Nebraska?** At least 24 hours' written notice to each unit, stating the purpose and a reasonable entry window; reasonable times; except emergencies or where impracticable. **How long does an eviction case take in Nebraska?** Hearing after filing: 10 to 14 days. Writ to lockout: Up to 10 days. These are the stated rules; the court's calendar often takes longer. **Can a Nebraska deposit dispute go to small claims court?** The small claims limit in our data: $7,500: the most a small claims case can ask for. The court's own page explains what kinds of cases it hears. Related: [Landlord rules by state](/tools/landlord-rules-by-state) · [Kits for landlords](/toolkits/for/landlords) ## Keep rental records in order [Bookkeeping for small landlords](/bookkeeping/for/small-landlords)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)