Nevada legislators are reviewing Assembly Bill 223, a proposed law that, if passed, would simplify the process for renters to seek court relief when landlords do not make required repairs. Aiming to strengthen protections against substandard living conditions, the bill mandates that landlords ensure access to basic utilities for their tenants. According to a statement obtained by News3LV, the Culinary Union has emphasized the necessity for a firm enforcement structure to hold landlords accountable for maintaining their rental properties.
Supporters of the bill, including Jonathan Norman from the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, highlight that the current system can leave tenants at a disadvantage during eviction proceedings, especially when they are unable to prove the steps they have taken to address uninhabitable living conditions.
"What you often see is how habitability presents itself as a tenant Is there on the eviction," Norman told 8NewsNow. "They have their phone and they say, ‘Judge, I have pictures,’ and it can be, you know, sewage backing up in their bathtub. It can be, you know, really horrific stuff, and the judge looks at them and then asks if they escrowed the rent, and the answer is almost always no because people don’t understand how they’re supposed to do that, how they can take advantage of that and then the judicial officer orders the eviction."
Under Assembly Bill 223, introduced by Assembly Member Venicia Considine, tenants would be permitted to withhold rent and file a verified complaint for uninhabitable conditions, without the usual requirement of depositing the rent money with the court first. as reported by 8NewsNow, the bill has received substantial support from various community groups and individuals, highlighting the need to strengthen tenant rights.
Opposition to the bill has been raised by groups such as the Nevada Realtors Legislative Committee, which argue that existing laws are sufficient to address landlord-tenant disputes. They contend that additional legislation may not be needed given the current legal framework. Legislators will continue to consider the details of Assembly Bill 223, evaluating different perspectives and the potential effects on Nevada's rental market.
