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Renting in Louisiana

Your rights as a tenant in Louisiana

In Louisiana, if you fall behind on rent, the notice is 5 days. What state law says about your deposit, the notices you must get, repairs and eviction. Every rule comes with its citation and the text of the law.

The rules, one by oneFree or low-cost legal help
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Notice for late rent
5 days
La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4701
Notice of a rent increase
10 calendar days
La. Civ. Code art. 2728(2)

A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.

What the law says

The rules, one by one

The basic rules for renting in Louisiana, answered with state law and its citation.

Tap “What the law says” to read the exact text and see where it comes from.

  1. When must they return my deposit?

    The landlord must return your deposit within one month after the lease ends. The landlord may keep what is reasonably needed to cover your default or unreasonable wear. If any part is kept, the landlord must send you an itemized list with the reasons within that month or in the 15 days after it. The law says the tenant gives the landlord a forwarding address when the lease ends, so the list can be sent there.

    What the law says · La. R.S. 9:3251(A)
    “Any advance or deposit of money furnished by a tenant or lessee to a landlord or lessor to secure the performance of any part of a written or oral lease or rental agreement shall be returned to the tenant or lessee of residential or dwelling premises within one month after the lease shall terminate. However, the landlord or lessor may retain all or any portion of the advance or deposit which is reasonably necessary to remedy a default of the tenant or to remedy unreasonable wear to the premises. If any portion of an advance or deposit is retained by a landlord or lessor, he shall forward to the tenant or lessee, within one month after the date the tenancy terminates or within fifteen days after the date that is one month after the tenancy terminates, an itemized statement accounting for the proceeds which are retained and giving the reasons therefor. The tenant shall furnish the lessor a forwarding address at the termination of the lease, to which such statements may be sent.”

    Source: Louisiana State Legislature – Louisiana Laws (Revised Statutes) · Verified on October 24, 2026

  2. If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?

    5 days

    In Louisiana, the notice is a notice to vacate, not a notice to pay. When your right to live in the home ends, for example for not paying rent or because the lease ran out, the landlord must have a written notice to vacate delivered to you. It gives you at least 5 days from delivery. If your written lease says you waive this notice, the landlord may start the eviction in court right away.

    What the law says · La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4701
    “When a lessee's right of occupancy has ceased because of the termination of the lease by expiration of its term, action by the lessor, nonpayment of rent, or for any other reason, and the lessor wishes to obtain possession of the premises, the lessor or his agent shall cause written notice to vacate the premises to be delivered to the lessee. The notice shall allow the lessee not less than five days from the date of its delivery to vacate the leased premises. If the lease has no definite term, the notice required by law for its termination shall be considered as a notice to vacate under this Article. If the lease has a definite term, notice to vacate may be given not more than thirty days before the expiration of the term. A lessee may waive the notice requirements of this Article by written waiver contained in the lease, in which case, upon termination of the lessee's right of occupancy for any reason, the lessor or his agent may immediately institute eviction proceedings in accordance with Chapter 2 of Title XI of the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure.”

    Source: Louisiana State Legislature – Louisiana Laws (Code of Civil Procedure) · Verified on October 24, 2026

  3. How much notice before a rent increase?

    10 calendar days

    If your lease is month to month, you or the landlord can end it or change its terms with written notice 10 days before the end of the month.

    What the law says · La. Civ. Code art. 2728(2)
    “Month-to-Month Lease: If the duration of the lease is not stated in the agreement, it is presumed by law to be month-to-month. The tenant or the landlord may terminate or change the terms of the lease with ten days written notice before the end of the month.”

    Source: Louisiana Attorney General ("Moving In & Moving Out") · Verified on November 6, 2026

Protections

Protections the law gives you

We show only what state law says, with its citation. Your city may give you more protections.

  • Repair and deduct from the rent

    Yes: state law says so

    If you ask the landlord for a necessary repair and it is not made within a reasonable time, you may have it made. Then you may ask the landlord to pay you back right away or apply that amount to the rent. This applies only if the repair was necessary and the cost was reasonable.

    What the law says · La. Civ. Code art. 2694
    “If the lessor fails to perform his obligation to make necessary repairs within a reasonable time after demand by the lessee, the lessee may cause them to be made. The lessee may demand immediate reimbursement of the amount expended for the repair or apply that amount to the payment of rent, but only to the extent that the repair was necessary and the expended amount was reasonable.”

    Louisiana State Legislature – Louisiana Laws (Civil Code)

Eviction

How an eviction works in Louisiana

Step by step, with the time periods the law sets. No landlord can skip the court.

Compare with other states

  1. Written notice to vacate (at least 5 days)

    at least 5 days

    What the law says · La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4701
    “The notice shall allow the lessee not less than five days from the date of its delivery to vacate the leased premises.”

    legis.la.gov

  2. Landlord files a rule to show cause in court

    What the law says · La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4731(A)
    “the lessor or owner, or agent thereof, may cause the lessee or occupant to be cited summarily by a court of competent jurisdiction to show cause why he should not be ordered to deliver possession of the premises to the lessor or owner.”

    legis.la.gov

  3. Court hearing (not before the third day after service)

    at least 3 days

    What the law says · La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4732(A)
    “The court shall make the rule returnable not earlier than the third day after service thereof, at which time the court shall try the rule and hear any defense which is made.”

    legis.la.gov

  4. Judgment of eviction

    What the law says · La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4732(B)
    “If the court finds the lessor or owner entitled to the relief sought, or if the lessee or occupant fails to answer or to appear at the trial, the court shall render immediately a judgment of eviction ordering the lessee or occupant to deliver possession of the premises to the lessor or owner.”

    legis.la.gov

  5. Appeal that stops the eviction (24 hours)

    up to 1 day

    What the law says · La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4735
    “An appeal does not suspend execution of a judgment of eviction unless the defendant has answered the rule under oath, pleading an affirmative defense entitling him to retain possession of the premises, and the appeal has been applied for and the appeal bond filed within twenty-four hours after the rendition of the judgment of eviction.”

    legis.la.gov

  6. Warrant for possession to the sheriff, constable or marshal (after 24 hours)

    at least 1 day

    What the law says · La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4733
    “If the lessee or occupant does not comply with the judgment of eviction within twenty-four hours after its rendition, the court shall issue immediately a warrant directed to and commanding its sheriff, constable, or marshal to deliver possession of the premises to the lessor or owner.”

    legis.la.gov

  7. Sheriff, constable or marshal executes the warrant

    What the law says · La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4734
    “The sheriff, constable, or marshal shall execute a warrant rendered under Article 4733 in the presence of two witnesses, by clearing the premises of any property therein, in order to put the lessor or owner in possession of the premises.”

    legis.la.gov

Frequently asked questions

When must a deposit be returned in Louisiana?

The landlord must return your deposit within one month after the lease ends. The landlord may keep what is reasonably needed to cover your default or unreasonable wear. If any part is kept, the landlord must send you an itemized list with the reasons within that month or in the 15 days after it. The law says the tenant gives the landlord a forwarding address when the lease ends, so the list can be sent there. (La. R.S. 9:3251(A))

What notice is required for late rent in Louisiana?

In Louisiana, the notice is a notice to vacate, not a notice to pay. When your right to live in the home ends, for example for not paying rent or because the lease ran out, the landlord must have a written notice to vacate delivered to you. It gives you at least 5 days from delivery. If your written lease says you waive this notice, the landlord may start the eviction in court right away. (La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4701)

How much notice before a rent increase in Louisiana?

If your lease is month to month, you or the landlord can end it or change its terms with written notice 10 days before the end of the month. (La. Civ. Code art. 2728(2))

A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.

Pending

What is left to verify

We have not yet verified these Louisiana rules in the law with their citation, so we do not show them. If you need them today, ask for free legal aid.

  • How much can they charge for a deposit? Not verified yet
  • How much notice ends a month-to-month rental? Not verified yet
  • Are there limits on late fees? Not verified yet
  • Only a court order can remove you Not verified yet
  • Protection from retaliation Not verified yet
  • Protection related to immigration status Not verified yet