Nevada’s AB121: A Landmark Victory for Rental Transparency

On October 1, 2025, Nevada will take a significant step forward in protecting renters’ rights when Assembly Bill 121 goes into effect. This long-overdue legislation addresses the predatory practice of “junk fees” that has plagued Nevada’s rental market for years.

For too long, renters in our state have been blindsided by hidden charges that mysteriously appear after signing a lease. These deceptive practices have forced many families to make impossible choices between paying unexpectedly high housing costs and meeting other essential needs, such as childcare and groceries. In some documented cases, Nevada renters have faced additional monthly fees of up to $323 beyond their advertised rent—a staggering amount that can destabilize even carefully planned household budgets.

AB121, sponsored by Assemblymember Venicia Considine, brings much-needed transparency to the rental process through several crucial provisions:

First, it requires landlords to list rent as a single, transparent figure that includes all mandatory monthly fees. No more advertising one price only to charge significantly more through various add-ons labeled as “lifestyle fees” or “technology fees.”

Second, it mandates that landlords provide at least one fee-free payment option that doesn’t require tenants to share their banking information—a critical protection for the unbanked and those who cannot afford additional processing fees to pay their rent on time.

Third, it requires landlords to refund application fees if they rent to someone else without actually processing the application, preventing the exploitative practice of collecting multiple application fees for a single unit.

Perhaps most importantly, AB121 provides tenants with legal recourse when landlords violate these provisions, enabling them to take their case to court and potentially recover damages, attorney’s fees, and statutory penalties.

Critics may argue that these regulations place an undue burden on property owners. However, the law doesn’t prevent landlords from charging fair market rates—it simply requires transparency about those rates from the beginning. Honest landlords who already practice transparent pricing will find compliance straightforward.

As our community continues to grapple with housing affordability challenges, AB121 represents a meaningful step toward fairness in the rental market. By ensuring that prospective tenants know exactly what they’ll be paying before signing a lease, this legislation empowers renters to make informed decisions about their housing options.

I encourage all Nevada renters to familiarize themselves with their new rights under AB 121 and to report any violations when the law takes effect in October. Only through vigilant enforcement will we realize the full potential of this critical consumer protection measure.