Louisiana Landlord-Tenant Laws
This overview summarizes common Louisiana landlord-tenant topics using published statute references (Louisiana Civil Code 2668-2729). Laws change — confirm details with official sources.
Preview lease and notice templates free as PDF and editable Word (DOCX) — pay $19.99/year or $2.99/month only when you download. Cancel any time.
Security Deposit Laws
No statutory limit
1 month; a second deadline applies to deductions
No statutory requirement
The rule: No statewide deposit limit. The deposit must be returned within one month after the lease ends. If the landlord keeps any of it, the itemized statement of what was kept and why may follow up to 15 days after that one-month date (Acts 2026, No. 63, effective August 1, 2026). These rules do not apply if the tenant abandons the unit without the required notice. A willful failure costs the greater of $300 or twice the amount wrongfully kept (La. R.S. 9:3251, 9:3252).
Landlords should provide an itemized deduction list when withholding any portion of the deposit.
Reviewed · La. R.S. 9:3251, 9:3252
Eviction Notice Requirements
5 days notice
5 days notice
Court filing and service rules vary by county. Use our eviction timeline calculator for planning.
Notice to Vacate
10 days notice
No notice required if lease ends
Late Rent Fees
No statutory requirement
No limit
Additional Regulations
No statewide rent control
No statutory requirement
When to use Louisiana document templates
Use LeaseCraft templates when you need PDF and editable DOCX lease and notice forms built for Louisiana landlords and tenants. Start with the residential lease generator, then add notices from the sidebar.
Common mistakes in Louisiana
- Relying on verbal agreements instead of a written lease with required disclosures
- Missing the security deposit return deadline (1 month; a second deadline applies to deductions)
- Serving eviction or termination notices with incorrect day counts
Frequently asked questions
Louisiana sets no statewide security deposit limit. The return deadline is 1 month; a second deadline applies to deductions. No statewide deposit limit. The deposit must be returned within one month after the lease ends. If the landlord keeps any of it, the itemized statement of what was kept and why may follow up to 15 days after that one-month date (Acts 2026, No. 63, effective August 1, 2026). These rules do not apply if the tenant abandons the unit without the required notice. A willful failure costs the greater of $300 or twice the amount wrongfully kept (La. R.S. 9:3251, 9:3252).
Confirm current rules in Louisiana Civil Code 2668-2729.
Disclaimer: Educational summary only, not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for specific guidance. LeaseCraft is not a law firm. Statutes change — verify requirements with official Louisiana sources before relying on this information. Last reviewed: 2026-09-27.