Louisiana Landlord-Tenant Laws: Key Rental Rules (2026)
Security deposits, notice periods, landlord entry, and other key rental rules in Louisiana, each linked to the state law it comes from.
By the ListMyHomes.com™ Editorial TeamPublished Last reviewed
This page summarizes the main landlord-tenant rules in Louisiana. Each rule in the table below links to the law it comes from.
Key rules at a glance
| Rule | Louisiana |
|---|---|
| Where these laws apply | No parish or population limit appears in Louisiana Civil Code articles 2668 to 2729 or Revised Statutes 9:3201 to 9:3261.2. A lease is a contract by which the lessor gives the lessee the use and enjoyment of a thing for a term in exchange for rent. A lease is residential when the leased thing is to be occupied as a dwelling. La. Civil Code arts. 2668, 2671 |
| Security deposit limit | No limit set by Louisiana Civil Code articles 2668 to 2729 or Revised Statutes 9:3201 to 9:3261.2. La. Civil Code arts. 2668-2729; La. R.S. 9:3201-3261.2 (no provision) |
| Where deposits are held | No rule on where or how a deposit is held in Louisiana Civil Code articles 2668 to 2729 or Revised Statutes 9:3201 to 9:3261.2. If the lessor's interest in the premises is transferred during the lease, the deposit must be transferred to the new owner, who becomes responsible for returning it when the lease ends; the former lessor is then relieved of further liability for it. La. Civil Code arts. 2668-2729; La. R.S. 9:3201-3261.2 (no provision); La. R.S. 9:3251(B) |
| Returning the deposit | For residential or dwelling premises, the deposit must be returned within one month after the lease ends. If any part is kept, the lessor must send the tenant an itemized statement of the amounts kept and the reasons, within one month after the tenancy ends or within fifteen days after the date that is one month after it ends. The tenant must give the lessor a forwarding address when the lease ends. These return rules do not apply when the tenant abandons the premises without giving the required notice or before the lease ends. A willful failure to comply lets the tenant recover the amount wrongfully kept plus $300 or twice that amount, whichever is greater; not paying within 30 days after the tenant's written demand for a refund counts as willful. Any waiver of a tenant's rights under this part of the Revised Statutes (Part IV, Lessee's Deposit) is null and void. La. R.S. 9:3251(A), (C), 9:3252(A), 9:3254 |
| Deposit deductions | Only amounts reasonably necessary to remedy the tenant's default or unreasonable wear to the premises. La. R.S. 9:3251(A) |
| Interest on deposits | Not required by Louisiana Civil Code articles 2668 to 2729 or Revised Statutes 9:3201 to 9:3261.2. La. Civil Code arts. 2668-2729; La. R.S. 9:3201-3261.2 (no provision) |
| Landlord entry notice | No notice rule for the lessor's entry in Louisiana Civil Code articles 2668 to 2729 or Revised Statutes 9:3201 to 9:3261.2. During the lease, the lessor may make a repair that cannot wait until the lease ends, even if it inconveniences the lessee or causes loss of use; the lessee may then obtain a rent reduction or abatement, or dissolution of the lease, depending on the circumstances. La. Civil Code arts. 2668-2729; La. R.S. 9:3201-3261.2 (no provision); La. Civil Code art. 2693 |
| Notice to end a month-to-month lease | If the parties did not agree on how long the lease lasts, a lease of an immovable (other than an agricultural lease) is from month to month. A lease with an indeterminate term, including a reconducted lease or one whose term is set by law, ends by notice from the party who wants to end it. In a month-to-month lease, notice must be given at least ten calendar days before the end of the month; a lease measured by a period longer than a month needs thirty calendar days before the end of that period, and one measured by a week or more but less than a month needs five calendar days. The notice ends the lease at the end of the period it names or, if none, at the end of the first period for which it is timely. For an immovable or a movable used as a residence, the notice must be in writing; surrendering possession to the lessor at the time notice is due counts as the lessee's notice. La. Civil Code arts. 2680, 2727, 2728, 2729 |
| Rent-increase notice | No notice period in Louisiana Civil Code articles 2668 to 2729 or Revised Statutes 9:3201 to 9:3261.2. La. Civil Code arts. 2668-2729; La. R.S. 9:3201-3261.2 (no provision) |
| Late fees | No limit or grace period in Louisiana Civil Code articles 2668 to 2729 or Revised Statutes 9:3201 to 9:3261.2. La. Civil Code arts. 2668-2729; La. R.S. 9:3201-3261.2 (no provision) |
| Notice for unpaid rent | If the lessee does not pay rent when due, the lessor may dissolve the lease under the rules on conventional obligations and regain possession as provided by law. When the lessee's right of occupancy has ended, including for nonpayment of rent, a lessor who wants possession must have a written notice to vacate delivered to the lessee, allowing at least five days from delivery to leave. The lessee may waive this notice in a written waiver in the lease; the lessor may then start eviction proceedings as soon as the right of occupancy ends. Under an oral lease, a lessee who does not pay delinquent rent within 20 days after delivery of a written demand stating the correct amount owed is liable for reasonable attorney fees when judgment is rendered for the claimant. La. Code of Civil Procedure art. 4701; La. Civil Code art. 2704; La. R.S. 9:3259 |
| Rent control | No rent control in Louisiana Civil Code articles 2668 to 2729 or Revised Statutes 9:3201 to 9:3261.2. Every lessor's rights of ownership, control, use, enjoyment, protection and disposal of property, including all rights the Civil Code's lease title gives lessors, may not be altered, abridged or diminished except by state law, and are subject to the reasonable exercise of the police power. La. Civil Code arts. 2668-2729; La. R.S. 9:3201-3261.2 (no provision); La. R.S. 9:3258 |
| Required landlord disclosures | Before accepting an application fee, the lessor must give written notice of the fee amount; whether credit scores, employment history, criminal history or eviction records are considered; and that the applicant may share a statement of 200 words or less on financial hardship from a state or federally declared disaster or emergency, with the notice referencing the COVID-19 pandemic and hurricanes. This applies to all lessors of property to be used as a lessee's primary residence, except owner-occupied buildings of no more than four units. Before and during a residential lease, the lessor must disclose in writing any pending foreclosure action against the dwelling and the lessee's right to be notified of a foreclosure action; within seven calendar days after being served with a notice of seizure in a foreclosure action, the lessor must give all lessees written notice of the seizure. La. R.S. 9:3258.1(A), (C), 9:3260.1(A), (B) Federal law: For housing built before 1978 (with limited exceptions): before the tenant is bound by the lease, the landlord must give the EPA lead-hazard pamphlet and disclose any known lead-based paint or hazards and any available reports. 42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 40 CFR 745.107 |
| Fair housing protected classes | Race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, military status, and natural, protective or cultural hairstyle. Natural, protective or cultural hairstyles include afros, dreadlocks, twists, locs, braids, cornrow braids, Bantu knots, curls, and hair styled to protect hair texture or for cultural significance. Military status and natural, protective or cultural hairstyle appear in Louisiana's law but not in the federal list. La. R.S. 51:2606(A)(1), (6)(a), 51:2603(11); 42 U.S.C. § 3604 |
What this means for renters
Before you sign, compare the lease's deposit amount, rent due date, and late-fee terms with the rules above. At move-in, record the unit's condition with dated photos. When you move out, give the written notice your lease and the rules above call for, leave a forwarding address, and keep copies of everything you send and receive.
What this means for landlords who manage their own rental
List the unit with its rent, deposit, and lease terms. Screen every applicant by the same written criteria, within fair-housing law. Collect the deposit and give notices following the rules above, and keep records of the unit's condition at move-in and move-out.
List your rental on ListMyHomes.com for one flat fee, or browse rentals in Louisiana listed directly by owners.
Frequently asked questions
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Louisiana?
No limit set by Louisiana Civil Code articles 2668 to 2729 or Revised Statutes 9:3201 to 9:3261.2. See the source in the table above.
How long does a Louisiana landlord have to return a security deposit?
For residential or dwelling premises, the deposit must be returned within one month after the lease ends. If any part is kept, the lessor must send the tenant an itemized statement of the amounts kept and the reasons, within one month after the tenancy ends or within fifteen days after the date that is one month after it ends. The tenant must give the lessor a forwarding address when the lease ends. These return rules do not apply when the tenant abandons the premises without giving the required notice or before the lease ends. A willful failure to comply lets the tenant recover the amount wrongfully kept plus $300 or twice that amount, whichever is greater; not paying within 30 days after the tenant's written demand for a refund counts as willful. Any waiver of a tenant's rights under this part of the Revised Statutes (Part IV, Lessee's Deposit) is null and void. See the source in the table above.
How much notice must a Louisiana landlord give before entering?
No notice rule for the lessor's entry in Louisiana Civil Code articles 2668 to 2729 or Revised Statutes 9:3201 to 9:3261.2. During the lease, the lessor may make a repair that cannot wait until the lease ends, even if it inconveniences the lessee or causes loss of use; the lessee may then obtain a rent reduction or abatement, or dissolution of the lease, depending on the circumstances. See the source in the table above.
How much notice ends a month-to-month lease in Louisiana?
If the parties did not agree on how long the lease lasts, a lease of an immovable (other than an agricultural lease) is from month to month. A lease with an indeterminate term, including a reconducted lease or one whose term is set by law, ends by notice from the party who wants to end it. In a month-to-month lease, notice must be given at least ten calendar days before the end of the month; a lease measured by a period longer than a month needs thirty calendar days before the end of that period, and one measured by a week or more but less than a month needs five calendar days. The notice ends the lease at the end of the period it names or, if none, at the end of the first period for which it is timely. For an immovable or a movable used as a residence, the notice must be in writing; surrendering possession to the lessor at the time notice is due counts as the lessee's notice. See the source in the table above.
How much notice is required for a rent increase in Louisiana?
No notice period in Louisiana Civil Code articles 2668 to 2729 or Revised Statutes 9:3201 to 9:3261.2. See the source in the table above.
How much can a Louisiana landlord charge for late rent?
No limit or grace period in Louisiana Civil Code articles 2668 to 2729 or Revised Statutes 9:3201 to 9:3261.2. See the source in the table above.
How much notice must a Louisiana landlord give when rent is unpaid?
If the lessee does not pay rent when due, the lessor may dissolve the lease under the rules on conventional obligations and regain possession as provided by law. When the lessee's right of occupancy has ended, including for nonpayment of rent, a lessor who wants possession must have a written notice to vacate delivered to the lessee, allowing at least five days from delivery to leave. The lessee may waive this notice in a written waiver in the lease; the lessor may then start eviction proceedings as soon as the right of occupancy ends. Under an oral lease, a lessee who does not pay delinquent rent within 20 days after delivery of a written demand stating the correct amount owed is liable for reasonable attorney fees when judgment is rendered for the claimant. See the source in the table above.
Does Louisiana have rent control?
No rent control in Louisiana Civil Code articles 2668 to 2729 or Revised Statutes 9:3201 to 9:3261.2. Every lessor's rights of ownership, control, use, enjoyment, protection and disposal of property, including all rights the Civil Code's lease title gives lessors, may not be altered, abridged or diminished except by state law, and are subject to the reasonable exercise of the police power. See the source in the table above.
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