Nebraska Tenant Rights
& Rental Laws

In Nebraska, the security deposit limit is 1 month's rent, plus a pet deposit up to a quarter of a month's rent.

Nebraska landlords must return security deposits within 14 days after you move out.

In Nebraska, landlords must give 24 hours' notice before entering your rental unit.

Late fees in Nebraska: No statutory cap. No mandatory grace period.

No notice statute; no caps. No Nebraska statute sets how much notice a landlord must give before raising rent. Either side can end a month-to-month tenancy with written notice at least 30 days before the rent date (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1437(2)). No statewide cap, and local governments may not impose rent control (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 13-331). Source: No Statute.

14 days to fix, or the lease can end. After written or actual notice, the landlord must meet housing codes, make repairs to keep the home fit and habitable, and supply running water, hot water, and reasonable heat (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1419). For a serious problem, written notice can end the lease at least 30 days later if not fixed within 14 days (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1425(1)). Deducting from rent is allowed only for essential services: after written notice, you may buy heat, water, or hot water and deduct the cost, or get substitute housing and owe no rent meanwhile (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1427). If sued for unpaid rent, you can counterclaim for the landlord's failures; the court may have you pay rent into court (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1428). Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1419, 76-1425, 76-1427.

Protected, with limits. A landlord may not raise your rent, cut services, or bring or threaten an eviction case because you complained to a government agency that enforces building or housing codes about a health or safety violation, or because you organized or joined a tenants' union (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1439(1)). The section names only those two cases; a complaint made only to your landlord is not one of them. Remedies: the possession-or-termination remedies of § 76-1430 (three months' rent as liquidated damages plus a reasonable attorney's fee) and a defense if the landlord sues for possession (§ 76-1439(2)). The landlord can still sue for possession if you or someone with your consent caused the violation by lack of reasonable care, you are behind on rent, or fixing the code violation requires work that would take the unit away from you (§ 76-1439(3)). Document communications. Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1439.

Release 14 to 30 days after notice. A tenant who (or whose household member) is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or trafficking may be released from the lease. Give written notice naming a date 14 to 30 days out, with a protective order or a qualified third party's certification. You owe rent for the month the lease ends, but no fee for ending it. Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1431.01.

Self-help illegal. Self-help evictions illegal. Court process required. Contact police if locked out. Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1430.

Nebraska tenants have rights including security deposit protections, notice requirements for landlord entry, habitability standards, and protections against retaliation. Use Honestkey to analyze your specific lease against Nebraska law.