Louisiana Eviction Process

Disclaimer: This guide provides general legal information for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult a licensed attorney in Louisiana for advice specific to your situation. Information last verified: March 2026.

Louisiana boasts one of the fastest and most heavily landlord-favored eviction processes in the United States. Governed by the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure, it allows landlords to reclaim their property rapidly following a tenant's default.

Self-help evictions are illegal. A landlord cannot change locks, remove doors, cut off electricity, or physically remove a tenant's belongings without a court order and the presence of law enforcement.

1. The Notice to Vacate (or the Waiver)

The first step in a Louisiana eviction is the Notice to Vacate. However, the lease agreement itself heavily influences this step.

The 5-Day Notice to Vacate (Standard)

If a tenant fails to pay rent, violates a lease clause, or reaches the end of the lease term and refuses to leave, the landlord must typically serve a 5-Day Notice to Vacate (La. C.C.P. Art. 4701).

• This notice gives the tenant 5 days to leave the property.
• The 5 days do not include weekends or state statutory holidays.
• This is NOT a "Notice to Cure" or "Pay or Quit." Unlike in many states, if a Louisiana tenant is late on rent and receives this notice, the landlord is not legally required to accept the late rent; they can demand the tenant leave.

The Waiver of Notice (Critical Exception)

Louisiana law uniquely allows landlords to bypass the 5-Day Notice to Vacate entirely if the tenant agreed to it in writing. If the written lease agreement contains a clear "Waiver of Notice to Vacate" clause, the landlord does not have to give any warning. The moment the rent is late or a violation occurs, the landlord can immediately proceed to step two and file an eviction lawsuit.

2. Filing the Rule for Eviction

If the 5 days pass (or if the lease contains a waiver of notice), and the tenant is still on the premises, the landlord files a Rule for Eviction with the local Justice of the Peace, City Court, or District Court.

• The landlord must submit the lease, a copy of the Notice to Vacate (if applicable), and an affidavit stating the reasons for the eviction.

3. Serving the Tenant and the Hearing

The court will issue an Order to Show Cause (the eviction summons). A constable or sheriff's deputy will serve this order on the tenant.

• The court date is set very quickly in Louisiana, typically within three (3) days of the tenant being served.
• At the hearing, both parties present their case. Because the 5-Day Notice is not a "cure" notice, tenants have very few defenses in Louisiana if they failed to pay rent on time.

4. The Judgment of Eviction (Writ of Possession)

If the judge rules in favor of the landlord, they will issue a Judgment of Eviction requiring the tenant to vacate the premises within 24 hours.

If the tenant is still on the property after 24 hours, the landlord must return to the court clerk to obtain a Warrant for Possession. The landlord then schedules the physical eviction with the constable or sheriff, who will arrive at the property, remove the tenant, and allow the landlord to change the locks and remove the tenant's property to the curb.

Evicting a Month-to-Month Tenant

To terminate a month-to-month tenancy in Louisiana without cause, the landlord must give the tenant a 10-Day Written Notice before the end of the current rental month (La. C.C. Art. 2728). If the tenant does not leave by the end of the month, the landlord proceeds with the standard Rule for Eviction.

How Landager Helps Louisiana Landlords

Louisiana evictions move at lightning speed, but procedural errors can force a judge to dismiss the case, putting you back at square one. Landager provides Louisiana-specific lease templates that explicitly include the powerful "Waiver of Notice to Vacate" clause. For landlords who do issue notices, our system generates precisely worded, date-stamped 5-Day Notices to Vacate that hold up in City Court, ensuring your eviction process is as fast and flawless as the law allows.

Back to Louisiana Landlord-Tenant Laws Overview.