Los Alamos County is unlike any other county in New Mexico — or arguably in the United States. Built on the Pajarito Plateau at 7,300 feet in the Jemez Mountains, the county exists almost entirely because of Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), the Department of Energy’s premier nuclear weapons research and national security science laboratory founded in 1943 as the headquarters of the Manhattan Project. LANL is by far the county’s dominant employer, with a workforce of approximately 14,000 scientists, engineers, technicians, and support staff. The county has a population of approximately 19,000 — one of the smallest counties by area in New Mexico — and the median household income is among the highest in the state, frequently ranking among the highest in the nation for counties of its size.
The Los Alamos rental market is extraordinarily tight and high-priced for a small mountain community. LANL’s workforce significantly outnumbers the available housing stock, and many LANL employees commute from Santa Fe, Española, and other surrounding communities rather than live in Los Alamos itself. When rentals are available, they command premium prices reflecting the high incomes of the LANL workforce and severe supply constraints. Rents for a two-bedroom unit typically run $1,400–$2,200 per month — among the highest in rural New Mexico. Vacancy rates are extremely low. The county includes both Los Alamos and White Rock, a smaller community at lower elevation with somewhat different market dynamics.
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) — ~14,000 employees
Court
First Judicial District Court
Typical Rent (2BR)
$1,400–$2,200/mo
Vacancy Rate
Extremely low — high demand market
Rent Control
None (state preemption)
⚡ 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)
Los Alamos County Local Ordinances & Rules
Topic
Rule / Notes
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. At Los Alamos rent levels this can be $1,400–$2,200 — the cap applies regardless of rent amount. Must be returned with itemized statement within 30 days (NMSA § 47-8-31).
First Judicial District Court
Los Alamos County evictions filed at First Judicial District Court. Los Alamos courthouse: 2500 Trinity Dr., Ste. B, Los Alamos, NM 87544. Phone: (505) 661-8221. The First Judicial District also serves Santa Fe and Rio Arriba Counties.
LANL Security Clearances
Many LANL employees hold security clearances. Standard background check screening is appropriate — there is no landlord obligation related to clearance status, and tenants’ clearance status is generally not publicly disclosed.
Habitability
UORRA habitability standards apply (NMSA § 47-8-20). Los Alamos at 7,300 ft has cold winters with significant snowfall — functioning heat is legally required and essential. Summer wildfire smoke from surrounding forests can be a habitability consideration.
Wildfire Risk
Los Alamos has experienced significant wildfire events including the 2000 Cerro Grande fire and 2011 Las Conchas fire. Landlords should carry appropriate insurance and consider wildfire risk disclosure in lease agreements.
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
LANL employees: The most desirable tenant pool in New Mexico. PhD scientists, engineers, and senior technical staff earning $100,000–$200,000+ per year. Verify income at 3x monthly rent — easily met by most LANL employees. Eviction rates are among the lowest of any rental market in the state.
LANL contractors & postdocs: Slightly higher turnover risk as contract terms end. Verify position type — staff scientist vs. postdoc vs. term contractor — and use lease terms aligned with contract duration.
Tight market advantage: Vacancy in Los Alamos is extremely rare. Well-maintained properties at market rate rent quickly. Focus on tenant quality rather than rushing to fill vacancies.
Background checks, eviction history, credit reports — get the full picture before handing over the keys.
Los Alamos County New Mexico Landlord-Tenant Law: Guide for Los Alamos Area Rental Property Owners
Los Alamos County is one of the most unusual places in the United States — a small, isolated community perched on the Pajarito Plateau at 7,300 feet in the Jemez Mountains that exists almost entirely because of a single federal institution: Los Alamos National Laboratory. LANL was established in 1943 as the scientific headquarters of the Manhattan Project, the secret World War II effort that developed the first nuclear weapons. Today, LANL is one of the Department of Energy’s two premier nuclear weapons laboratories and a major center for national security science, basic research, and applied technology, with a workforce of approximately 14,000 that makes it by far the dominant economic engine for the entire region.
The result for landlords is a rental market unlike any in rural New Mexico. Los Alamos County has one of the highest median household incomes in the state — consistently among the top in the nation for counties of its size — because so much of the workforce consists of PhD scientists, engineers, and senior technical professionals earning well above New Mexico’s median wage. Yet housing supply is severely constrained by the physical geography of the plateau and the slow pace of new residential development. The combination of high incomes and tight supply creates premium rents of $1,400–$2,200+ per month for two-bedroom units — and near-zero vacancy rates. Many LANL employees choose to commute from Santa Fe or Española rather than pay Los Alamos rents or deal with the limited housing choices, which actually constrains demand somewhat but still leaves the market very tight.
New Mexico Law in Los Alamos County
New Mexico’s UORRA governs all residential rental relationships in Los Alamos 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, and 10% late fee cap. Note that the 1-month deposit cap applies at whatever the market rent is — at Los Alamos prices, this can mean a deposit of $1,500–$2,000 or more, which is still limited to one month’s rent under state law. Evictions are filed in the First Judicial District Court at 2500 Trinity Dr., Ste. B, Los Alamos, NM 87544, reachable at (505) 661-8221.
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed New Mexico attorney or contact the First Judicial District Court in Los Alamos at (505) 661-8221 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 First Judicial District Court at (505) 661-8221 for specific guidance. Last updated: April 2026.
