Roosevelt County sits on the high plains of eastern New Mexico, anchored by Portales — the county seat and home of Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU), the state’s third largest university. Portales has a population of approximately 12,000 and the county approximately 19,000. The local economy is built around three pillars: ENMU with its student body, faculty, and staff; agriculture — particularly peanut farming (Portales is one of the largest peanut-producing areas in the Southwest), dairy, and sorghum; and county and school district government. ENMU’s presence makes Portales a genuine college town with a rental market notably shaped by student housing demand.
The rental market is more developed than many eastern New Mexico counties precisely because of ENMU. Student housing, faculty and staff housing, and off-campus apartments all contribute to a real rental market with diverse demand segments. Rents typically run $700–$1,000 per month. The market is somewhat cyclical with the academic calendar — demand peaks in August and May sees turnover. The county is located immediately south of Curry County (Clovis) and the two communities share some economic linkage.
Eastern New Mexico University, agriculture, county/school district, healthcare
Court
Ninth Judicial District Court
Typical Rent
~$700–$1,000/mo
Rent Control
None (state preemption)
University Influence
ENMU significantly shapes rental demand
⚡ 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)
Roosevelt County & Portales Local Ordinances
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. Must be returned with itemized statement within 30 days (NMSA § 47-8-31).
Ninth Judicial District Court
Evictions filed at Ninth Judicial District Court. Portales courthouse: 109 W. 1st St., Portales, NM 88130. Phone: (575) 356-4022. The Ninth Judicial District also serves Curry County (Clovis).
Student Housing Considerations
ENMU student tenants present unique screening considerations. Many students have limited credit histories — require a co-signer for students without verifiable income at 3x monthly rent. Use 12-month leases aligned with the academic year when possible to reduce August turnover risk.
Habitability
UORRA habitability standards apply (NMSA § 47-8-20). Portales at 4,000 ft has hot summers (100°F+) and cold winters with occasional ice. Both cooling and heating are practically necessary.
Screening Fees (2025)
Under NM SB 267 (2025), screening fees must be disclosed before charging. Applicants may reuse background check reports within 90 days.
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
ENMU students: Many are working adults in graduate or professional programs with more stable finances than traditional freshmen. For undergrads without income, require a co-signer who meets the 3x income threshold. Use 12-month leases aligned to the academic year.
ENMU faculty & staff: Among the best long-term tenants available in Portales. Stable state employment, predictable income. Verify employment with university HR letter. Low eviction risk.
Agricultural workers: Peanut and dairy farm workers provide seasonal and year-round demand. If housing is tied to farm employment, confirm whether the UORRA employee exemption applies.
Background checks, eviction history, credit reports — get the full picture before handing over the keys.
Roosevelt County New Mexico Landlord-Tenant Law: Guide for Portales Area Rental Property Owners
Roosevelt County occupies the high plains of eastern New Mexico immediately south of Curry County, anchored by Portales — a college town of approximately 12,000 that owes much of its economic and cultural character to Eastern New Mexico University. ENMU, the state’s third-largest university, was founded in Portales in 1934 and has grown into a comprehensive regional university serving students from across eastern New Mexico, western Texas, and beyond. The university’s presence distinguishes Portales from most other similarly-sized eastern New Mexico communities by providing a stable institutional employment anchor and a consistent student housing demand cycle.
Agriculture is the other pillar of Roosevelt County’s economy. The region around Portales is one of the most productive peanut farming areas in the American Southwest, and significant dairy and sorghum operations contribute to the agricultural base. The combination of university employment, agricultural employment, county and school district positions, and healthcare at Roosevelt General Hospital creates a reasonably diversified tenant pool by eastern New Mexico standards. Rents of $700–$1,000 per month reflect the community’s relatively modest income levels and the college-town market dynamics.
New Mexico Law in Roosevelt County
New Mexico’s UORRA governs all residential rental relationships in Roosevelt 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. Evictions are filed in the Ninth Judicial District Court at 109 W. 1st St., Portales, NM 88130, reachable at (575) 356-4022.
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed New Mexico attorney or contact the Ninth Judicial District Court in Portales at (575) 356-4022 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 Ninth Judicial District Court at (575) 356-4022 for specific guidance. Last updated: April 2026.
