North Las Vegas Landlords Who Violate COVID-19 Emergency Orders Now Facing Fines, License and Permit Revocation
LAS VEGAS, NV – The North Las Vegas City Council recently unanimously voted at an emergency meeting to pass an ordinance allowing fines and other penalties to be imposed upon landlords and property managers who are in violation of state and city emergency anti-eviction decrees.
Amid the state of emergency brought on by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak had issued a statewide moratorium on March 29 against evictions, citing the economic issues faced by residents in light of strict business closure and stay-at-home orders. But some landlords have nonetheless defied that decree and have locked out and/or evicted tenants who have been behind on their rent.
The eviction decree by Governor Sisolak applies to all renters in the state of Nevada, be they monthly or weekly, residential or commercial, and applies while the state of emergency is still in effect; in addition, all late fees for back rent during the emergency period are waved. However, the non-eviction order does not apply to individuals who pose a threat to either their property or to others.
The moratorium had a mixed response, with some legal advocates supporting the move while others supported landlords and property managers, noting that they also have their own bills to pay throughout the crisis.
The North Las Vegas City Council, on a vote of 5 to 0, approved an ordinance that will seek penalties imposed upon anyone who violates Governor Sisolak’s decree – or any similar decrees issued by the city of Las Vegas – including fines in the amount of up to $1,000 a day as well as the potentially revoking the businesses licenses and permits.
In addition, according to Councilman Isaac Barron, misdemeanor charges resulting in jail sentences up to six months could also be imposed upon violators. The new rule went into effect immediately following the council’s vote, meaning that enforcement could start right away. “The goal, very specifically, is to stop a handful of bad-actor landlords and property managers from locking people out for failure to make rent,” he said.
Shelter Realty is a Real Estate and Property Management Company specializing in the areas of Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, NV. Feel free to give us a call at 702.376.7379 so we can answer any questions you may have.
Editors Correction: An earlier version of this article mentioned the ordinance was passed this week; it was passed in early April.
About the Author
Christopher Boyle is an investigative journalist for SEARCHEN NETWORKS® and reports for independent news and media organizations in the United States. Christopher helps keep a keen-eye on what's happening in the Las Vegas Nevada community on behalf of Shelter Realty Inc.