Grant County occupies the rugged mining and ranching country of southwestern New Mexico, anchored by Silver City — a historic copper mining town of approximately 10,000 that has reinvented itself as a vibrant arts community, outdoor recreation hub, and college town. Western New Mexico University (WNMU), a four-year public university with enrollment of approximately 3,500, provides Silver City’s most stable employment anchor and drives significant student housing demand. The county’s mining heritage is still very much alive — the Chino Mine, one of the largest open-pit copper mines in the United States, operates southeast of Silver City and provides industrial employment that contributes meaningfully to local housing demand.
Silver City’s rental market is driven by an unusual mix: WNMU students and faculty, Chino Mine workers, Gila Regional Medical Center healthcare staff, county and state government employees, retirees attracted by the area’s mild climate and arts scene, and an increasingly prominent contingent of remote workers drawn by Silver City’s distinctive character and relative affordability. The community has a well-established arts district and hosts the Tour of the Gila cycling race. Rents typically run $750–$1,100 per month. The market is stable but thin — vacancy rates can fluctuate significantly with WNMU enrollment cycles.
WNMU, Chino Mine (copper), Gila Regional Medical Center, county/state govt
Court
Sixth Judicial District Court
Typical Rent
~$750–$1,100/mo
Rent Control
None (state preemption)
Just-Cause Eviction
Not required
⚡ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
3-Day Pay or Quit
Lease Violation
7-Day Notice to Cure or Quit
Month-to-Month Term.
30-Day Written Notice
Security Deposit Cap
1 month’s rent (leases under 1 yr)
Deposit Return
30 days after termination
Late Fee Cap
10% of monthly rent
Entry Notice
24 hours
Statute
NMSA 1978 §§ 47-8-1 et seq. (UORRA)
Grant County Ordinances & Local Rules
Topic
Rule / Notes
Rental Licensing
No county rental licensing required. New Mexico has no statewide landlord licensing statute.
Rent Control
None. New Mexico’s Rent Control Preemption Act (1991) prohibits all local rent stabilization ordinances statewide.
Security Deposit
Capped at 1 month’s rent for leases under 1 year. Must be returned with itemized statement within 30 days of termination (NMSA § 47-8-31). Failure triggers double damages plus attorney’s fees.
Sixth Judicial District Court
Evictions filed at Sixth Judicial District Court, 201 N. Cooper St., Silver City, NM 88061. Phone: (575) 574-1920. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
WNMU Student Market
WNMU enrollment of ~3,500 creates meaningful student housing demand near campus. Require co-signers for student applicants without independent income. Use 12-month leases to avoid summer vacancy. Document move-in condition thoroughly.
Habitability
UORRA habitability standards apply (NMSA § 47-8-20). Silver City at 5,900 ft has mild summers and genuine winters with occasional snow. Functioning heat is legally required and practically essential.
Mining Worker Housing
Chino Mine operations bring stable industrial workers to the market. If housing is provided as a condition of mining employment, the UORRA employee exemption (NMSA § 47-8-8(E)) may apply — consult an attorney before using standard residential lease forms for company housing.
Self-Help Eviction
Prohibited statewide. All removals require court process (NMSA § 47-8-36).
Tenant Can Cure?Yes - tenant can pay full amount within 3 days to bar eviction action; also right to cure after judgment in disputed cases
Days to Hearing7-10 (trial set 7-10 days after service of summons) days
Days to Writ3-7 days after judgment (court discretion) days
Total Estimated Timeline14-49 days
Total Estimated Cost$150-500
⚠️ Watch Out
CRITICAL: Rent must be 3 days past due before notice can be served. Tender of full amount due before expiration of 3-day notice bars any action for nonpayment (§ 47-8-33(D)). In disputed cases where tenant claims rent abatement or landlord allocated rent to damages, court enters writ conditioned on tenant's right to remedy within 3 days of judgment entry. Notice must use substantially similar form to § 47-8-56(a). Late fees capped at 10% of monthly rent (§ 47-8-15(D)). No state grace period beyond the 3 days. Filing fee: $80 magistrate + $30 per additional defendant; $157 Metro Court. Hearing set 7-10 days after service. Either party can request 7-day continuance. Tenant can appeal to district court within 10 days (magistrate) or 30 days (district); must pay rent or escrow within 5 days of appeal (§ 47-8-47).
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the Magistrate Court (Metro Court in Albuquerque) or District Court - Petition for Restitution (NMSA § 47-8-41). Pay the filing fee (~$$80-157 (magistrate); $212 (district)).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about New Mexico eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified New Mexico attorney or local legal aid organization.
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⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
Underground Landlord
🏘️ Communities & Screening Tips
WNMU area: Student demand is real but requires co-signers for applicants without independent income. Use 12-month leases to capture summer occupancy. Document condition meticulously at move-in.
Healthcare & government workers: Gila Regional staff, WNMU faculty, and county/state employees are the most stable long-term tenants. Verify at 3x monthly rent.
Remote workers & retirees: Growing segment drawn by Silver City’s arts scene and outdoor access. Verify income with employer letter and 3 months bank statements. Often excellent long-term tenants.
Background checks, eviction history, credit reports — get the full picture before handing over the keys.
Grant County New Mexico Landlord-Tenant Law: Guide for Silver City Area Rental Property Owners
Grant County is one of New Mexico’s most distinctive communities — a mountain county in the state’s rugged southwest where copper mining heritage, a nationally recognized arts scene, and world-class outdoor recreation converge in the historic community of Silver City. Sitting at 5,900 feet in the foothills of the Black Range and the Mogollon Mountains, Silver City has long attracted artists, adventurers, and academics alongside the mining and ranching workforce that has defined the region for over a century. Western New Mexico University, a four-year public institution with strong education and liberal arts programs, provides a stable institutional anchor that gives the community a college-town character uncommon in a community of its size.
The county’s rental market reflects this diversity. WNMU enrollment of approximately 3,500 students creates meaningful demand near campus, particularly in the neighborhoods immediately surrounding the university. Freeport-McMoRan’s Chino Mine, one of the largest open-pit copper mines in the United States, employs a stable industrial workforce that seeks housing in Silver City and surrounding communities. Gila Regional Medical Center provides healthcare employment. And a growing population of retirees and remote workers — drawn by Silver City’s mild four-season climate, established arts district, and proximity to the Gila Wilderness — has added an affluent professional segment to the tenant pool over the past decade.
New Mexico Law in Grant County
New Mexico’s UORRA governs all residential rental relationships in Grant County. The standard framework applies: 3-day pay or quit for nonpayment, 7-day cure or quit for lease violations, 30-day notice for month-to-month termination, 1-month deposit cap for leases under one year, 30-day deposit return with itemization, and 10% late fee cap. Silver City’s elevation of 5,900 feet means genuine winters with periodic snow and cold temperatures — functioning heating systems are legally required under UORRA habitability standards. Evictions are filed in the Sixth Judicial District Court at 201 N. Cooper St., Silver City, NM 88061, reachable at (575) 574-1920.
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed New Mexico attorney or contact the Sixth Judicial District Court in Silver City at (575) 574-1920 for guidance specific to your situation. Last updated: April 2026.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed New Mexico attorney or contact the Sixth Judicial District Court at (575) 574-1920 for specific guidance. Last updated: April 2026.
