Louisiana Landlord-Tenant Law
Know your rights as a renter in Louisiana. This guide covers security deposits, landlord entry, rent increases, eviction protections, and more under Louisiana law.
Legal basis: Louisiana landlord-tenant law — Louisiana Civil Code
30
Days to Return Deposit
No limit
Max Deposit
No state rule
Entry Notice
Not Required
Deposit Escrow
What Louisiana law says about deposits
Maximum Deposit
No limit
Return Deadline
30 dayswithin one month; not when the tenant abandons the unit
Penalties, interest & late-fee rules under Louisiana law
If your deposit is wrongfully or late returned
Willful failure to return the deposit lets the tenant recover the portion wrongfully retained plus $300 or twice the amount wrongfully retained, whichever is greater (La. R.S. 9:3252). Failure to remit within 30 days after written demand for a refund constitutes willful failure.
Interest on your deposit is not required
Grace period
No mandatory grace period
Must be in the lease
Yes — a late fee is only enforceable if it is written into your lease
Your privacy protections
Required Notice Period
No state rule
No Louisiana statute sets entry notice; your lease's terms apply
No Louisiana statute sets how much notice a landlord must give before entering. Your lease's entry terms apply, so check what it says about notice and entry times.
No notice statute; no caps
Legal basis: No Statute
Reasonable time after demand; repair-and-deduct allowed
Legal basis: La. Civ. Code arts. 2682, 2691, 2694
No state statute
Legal basis: No statute
Release within 30 days
Legal basis: La. R.S. 9:3261.1
Self-help illegal
Legal basis: La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4731
Important facts about Louisiana rental law
Louisiana has no limit on security deposits.
Louisiana landlords must return deposits within one month after the lease ends; an itemized statement of anything kept may follow up to 15 days later (La. R.S. 9:3251).
Louisiana allows tenants to recover damages for wrongful deposit withholding.
Louisiana landlords must maintain rental premises in good condition.
Something else? Contact our team
Louisiana does not have a statutory limit on security deposits.
Louisiana landlords must return security deposits within 30 days after you move out (within one month; not when the tenant abandons the unit).
No Louisiana statute sets how much notice a landlord must give before entering, so your lease's entry terms apply.
Late fees in Louisiana: No statutory cap — a late fee is an agreed penalty in the lease, and a court can reduce it only if it is manifestly unreasonable. No mandatory grace period.
No notice statute; no caps. No Louisiana statute sets how much notice a landlord must give before raising rent. A month-to-month lease can be ended with notice at least 10 calendar days before the end of the month (La. Civ. Code art. 2728(2)). No statewide rent cap. Source: No Statute.
Reasonable time after demand; repair-and-deduct allowed. Landlord must keep the home suitable for its purpose and make all needed repairs except damage you caused (La. Civ. Code arts. 2682, 2691). Tell the landlord without delay when something needs repair (La. Civ. Code art. 2688). If the landlord does not repair within a reasonable time after your demand, you may have it done and get reimbursed or apply the reasonable cost to rent (La. Civ. Code art. 2694). In a residential lease, you cannot waive the warranty against defects that seriously affect health or safety (La. Civ. Code art. 2699). Source: La. Civ. Code arts. 2682, 2691, 2694.
No state statute. No Louisiana statute prohibits a landlord from retaliating against a tenant who complains or asks for repairs. The only anti-waiver rule (La. R.S. 9:3254) covers the security deposit part of the law, not retaliation. Keep your complaints in writing, with dates, and ask a legal aid office whether federal or local law protects you in your situation. Source: No statute.
Release within 30 days. In a building of six or more units, a victim of domestic abuse battery on the premises, or of stalking, may ask in writing to end the lease on an agreed date within 30 days. The abuse must be within the past 30 days, shown by a Uniform Abuse Prevention Order or a sworn certification from a qualified third party. Rent is owed only through the termination date. A victim of sexual assault has a similar right under La. R.S. 9:3261.2. Source: La. R.S. 9:3261.1.
Self-help illegal. Self-help evictions illegal: a landlord must cite you to a court rule to show cause to recover possession (La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4731(A)). The one exception: after the required notice, a landlord may retake a home it reasonably believes was abandoned (art. 4731(B)). A landlord who does not comply owes you the greater of $500 or twice the monthly rent, and you may obtain a restraining order or preliminary injunction (art. 4731(C)(2)). The court may award costs and attorney fees to the prevailing party (art. 4731(C)(3)). Source: La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4731.
Louisiana tenants have rights including security deposit protections, notice requirements for landlord entry, habitability standards, and protections against retaliation. Use Honestkey to analyze your specific lease against Louisiana law.
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