Question 1

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

No maximum. Louisiana's deposit statute requires return within one month and an itemized statement for any amount kept, but sets no cap on the amount. Source: La. R.S. 9:3251 (https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=107468), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 2

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

Within one month after the lease ends. An itemized statement of any amounts kept is due within one month, or within 15 days after that one-month date. Source: La. R.S. 9:3251(A) (https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=107468), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 3

How much notice does a landlord have to give before entering a rental in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

Louisiana's lease law (Civil Code arts. 2668-2729 and R.S. 9:3251-3261) sets no notice requirement for landlord entry (full text read). Source: La. C.C. arts. 2668-2729; La. R.S. 9:3251-3261 (https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=109731), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 4

How much notice does a landlord need to give to raise the rent in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

The Louisiana Attorney General's guide says that for a month-to-month lease, either party may terminate or change the lease terms with 10 days' written notice before the end of the month. Source: La. AG, Moving In / Moving Out guide (https://www.ag.state.la.us/Files/Shared/Documents/MovingInOut.pdf), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 5

Can a landlord charge a late fee in Louisiana, and how much?

Accepted Answer

The LA AG guide says late fees can be charged only if provided in the lease (or agreed orally if there is no written lease). It says the law sets no specific amount, but unreasonably high fees can be contested. Source: LA AG, Moving In, Moving Out (https://www.ag.state.la.us/Files/Shared/Documents/MovingInOut.pdf), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 6

What notice does a landlord have to give before evicting for unpaid rent in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

When occupancy ends for nonpayment or any other reason, the lessor must deliver a written notice to vacate giving at least 5 days. The lessee may waive this notice in a written lease clause. Source: La. C.C.P. art. 4701 (https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=112073), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 7

Can cities in Louisiana pass rent control?

Accepted Answer

Effectively yes. State law provides that lessors' rights to control, use and lease their property may not be altered, abridged or diminished except by state law (subject to the reasonable exercise of police power). Source: La. R.S. 9:3258 (https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=107472), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 8

How much notice is needed to end a month-to-month tenancy in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

For a month-to-month lease, notice of termination must be given at least 10 calendar days before the end of the month. For residential leases, the notice must be in writing (La. C.C. art. 2729). Source: La. C.C. art. 2728(2) (https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=109792), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 9

Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

Louisiana's lease law (Civil Code arts. 2668-2729 and R.S. 9:3251-3261) does not require interest on security deposits (full text read). Source: La. C.C. arts. 2668-2729; La. R.S. 9:3251-3261 (https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=109731), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 10

Is a move-in or move-out inspection checklist required in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

The LA AG guide recommends (it does not say the law requires) that the tenant inspect for defects before paying a deposit and that both sides agree on what will be fixed before move-in, using a room-by-room checklist. Source: LA AG, Moving In, Moving Out (https://www.ag.state.la.us/Files/Shared/Documents/MovingInOut.pdf), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 11

Is landlord retaliation illegal in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

Louisiana's lease law (Civil Code arts. 2668-2729 and R.S. 9:3251-3261) contains no anti-retaliation provision (full text read). Source: La. C.C. arts. 2668-2729; La. R.S. 9:3251-3261 (https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=109731), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 12

Can a landlord change the locks or shut off utilities in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

The LA AG guide says a landlord cannot legally evict without the court procedure. A landlord who locks the tenant out, puts possessions on the street, or otherwise takes the law into their own hands may be liable for wrongful-eviction damages. Source: LA AG, Moving In, Moving Out (https://www.ag.state.la.us/Files/Shared/Documents/MovingInOut.pdf), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 13

What can a tenant do if the landlord won't make repairs in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

If the lessor does not make necessary repairs within a reasonable time after demand, the lessee may make them and demand reimbursement or deduct the cost from rent, to the extent the repair was necessary and the cost reasonable. Source: La. C.C. art. 2694 (https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=109756), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 14

What disclosures must a landlord give tenants in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

Louisiana's lease law (Civil Code arts. 2668-2729 and R.S. 9:3251-3261) imposes no general lease disclosure requirements; federal lead-paint disclosure still applies to pre-1978 housing (full text read). Source: La. C.C. arts. 2668-2729; La. R.S. 9:3251-3261 (https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=109731), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 15

What can a landlord do with property a tenant leaves behind in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

Louisiana's lease law (Civil Code arts. 2668-2729 and R.S. 9:3251-3261) sets no procedure for property a tenant leaves behind (R.S. 9:3251(C) only excuses the deposit-return rules when a tenant abandons) (full text read). Source: La. C.C. arts. 2668-2729; La. R.S. 9:3251-3261 (https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=109731), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 16

Can a tenant break a lease early for domestic violence or military service in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

Active or reserve service members (and spouses) may end a residential lease for PCS or duty orders of 35 or more miles (over 3 months), discharge, government quarters, serious service injury, or death. For the order-based grounds, at least 30 days' written notice is required. Source: La. R.S. 9:3261 (https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=107477), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 17

Is there a grace period before a late fee can be charged in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

Louisiana's lease law (Civil Code arts. 2668-2729 and R.S. 9:3251-3261) sets no late-fee grace period or cap (full text read). Source: La. C.C. arts. 2668-2729; La. R.S. 9:3251-3261 (https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=109731), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 18

Can a tenant fix something and deduct it from rent in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

If the lessor doesn't make necessary repairs within a reasonable time after the lessee demands them, the lessee may have them made. The lessee can then get reimbursed right away or apply the cost to rent, but only to the extent the repair was necessary and the cost reasonable. Source: La. Civ. Code art. 2694 (https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=109756), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 19

Can a tenant sublet an apartment in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

A lessee has the right to sublease or assign unless the lease expressly prohibits it. A ban on one of these is deemed to ban the others unless the lease shows a different intent, and a ban is strictly construed against the lessor. Source: La. Civ. Code art. 2713 (https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=109777), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 20

Does a landlord have to give notice before not renewing a lease in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

A fixed-term lease ends when the term expires, with no notice needed, unless it is reconducted (renewed by the tenant staying on) or extended. Source: La. Civ. Code art. 2720 (https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=109784), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 21

What happens if a tenant stays after the lease ends in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

If a tenant stays in possession after a fixed term longer than a week ends, with no notice to vacate or other objection, the lease is reconducted after one week. A reconducted lease whose term was a month or longer becomes month-to-month. Source: La. Civ. Code arts. 2721, 2723 (https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=109785), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 22

How does the eviction court process work in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

The court sets the eviction hearing (the 'rule') no earlier than the third day after service. If the landlord wins, or the tenant doesn't answer or appear, the court immediately enters a judgment of eviction. Source: La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4732 (https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=112079), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 23

What happens to the lease when a tenant dies in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

A lease does not end when the lessor or the lessee dies. Source: La. Civ. Code art. 2717 (https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=109781), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 24

Can a landlord refuse Section 8 or other source of income in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

Source of income is not a protected class under the Louisiana Equal Housing Opportunity Act. La. R.S. 51:2606 covers race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, military status, natural/protective/cultural hairstyle, and disability. Source: La. R.S. 51:2606 (https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=104419), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 25

Does a landlord have to provide smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

Existing one- and two-family dwellings must have at least an operable 10-year sealed lithium-battery smoke detector at the time of sale or lease, and an operable long-life sealed-battery carbon monoxide detector. Source: La. R.S. 40:1581 (https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=97690), last checked 2026-10-15.

Question 26

What is the scra / military lease termination rule in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

An active or reserve service member (or spouse) may end a residential lease for listed reasons, such as PCS orders 35 or more miles away, temporary duty over three months 35 or more miles away, discharge or orders into government quarters. Code text: "may terminate their residential lease agreement, pursuant to Subsection B of this Section, if any of the following occur." Source: La. R.S. 9:3261 (https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=107477), last checked 2026-10-16.

Question 27

What is the military lease termination (federal scra, all states) rule in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

Federal law that applies in every state: under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, a tenant may end a residential lease after entering military service, or after getting permanent-change-of-station orders or deployment orders of at least 90 days, by delivering written notice and a copy of the orders to the landlord. For a lease with monthly rent, termination takes effect 30 days after the next rent due date following delivery of the notice. Any state-specific rule on this page also applies. Code text: "The lessee on a lease described in subsection (b) may, at the lessee's option, terminate the lease at any time after." Source: 50 U.S.C. § 3955 (federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act) (https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/121/htm_usc50@119-121.zip), last checked 2026-10-16.

Louisiana landlord-tenant law FAQ