Nevada has enacted several significant real estate–related laws that took effect in late 2025 and early 2026. These changes impact brokerage agreements, rental practices, property management security, and redevelopment opportunities—and they require proactive compliance. Below is a practical overview of the most important updates and what they mean for industry professionals.
1. Brokerage Agreements: No More “Handshake” Deals
Bill: AB 258 | Effective October 1, 2025
All brokerage agreements—including buyer representation agreements—must now be in writing to be legally enforceable.Oral brokerage agreements will no longer be recognized under Nevada law. To be entitled to compensation or legal protection, brokers must have a signed written agreement in place before performing any licensed activity.
This change aligns Nevada law with the requirements emerging from the recent NAR settlement and reflects a broader national shift toward transparency and documentation.
Takeaway
If it isn’t in writing—and signed—it doesn’t exist. Firms should immediately review and update their listing and buyer representation agreements to ensure compliance before the effective date.
2. Rental Transparency & Application Fee Rules
Bill: AB 121 | Effective October 1, 2025
This bill introduces several tenant-facing protections that directly affect landlords and property managers.
Total Rent Must Be Disclosed as a Single Figure
Landlords must now advertise rent as one all-inclusive number, combining base rent and all mandatory monthly fees (such as trash, technology, or amenity fees). Piecemeal pricing is no longer permitted.
Application Fee Refund Requirements
If a landlord collects an application fee but rents the unit to another applicant without actually running a background or credit check on the first applicant, the fee must be refunded.
Fee-Free Rent Payment Option Required
Landlords must offer at least one method of rent payment that does not impose an additional transaction or “convenience” fee on the tenant.
Takeaway
Lease templates, marketing materials, application workflows, and payment portals should all be reviewed and updated to avoid compliance violations.
3. Enhanced Property Security: The “Key Log” Law
Bill: SB 114 | Effective October 1, 2025
Who Is Affected
New Requirements
Takeaway
This law raises the compliance bar for multifamily operators. Failure to maintain proper logs and procedures could increase liability exposure in the event of theft or tenant harm.
4. Commercial-to-Residential Zoning: “By-Right” Development
Bill: AB 241 | Implementation Deadline: March 1, 2026
What Changed
Local governments are now required to allow by-right development of multifamily and mixed-use residential projects on land zoned for commercial use.
Why This Is Significant
Developers will no longer need discretionary approvals or special use permits for many residential projects on commercial-zoned land. This is expected to accelerate redevelopment of aging shopping centers and office corridors.
Takeaway
This creates new opportunities for developers, investors, and municipalities—but also requires careful due diligence on zoning overlays, infrastructure, and local implementation ordinances.
Quick Compliance Checklist for 2026
Update and require signed buyer representation and listing agreements before providing services.
Ensure rent is disclosed as a single, all-inclusive monthly figure.
Implement internal tracking to confirm whether background checks were run before retaining application fees.
Adopt key logs, written security policies, and employee screening procedures where required.
Evaluate commercial properties for potential residential or mixed-use conversion opportunities.
