Unlike the other 49 U.S. states, which heavily rely on English common law, Louisiana operates under a unique civil law system heavily influenced by French and Spanish legal traditions. Effective since Louisiana's statehood on April 30, 1812, the state's legal framework for property is primarily codified in the Louisiana Civil Code.

Overall, Louisiana is considered a highly landlord-friendly state. It places very few statutory restrictions on property owners regarding rent amounts, security deposits, and late fees, allowing the lease agreement to serve as the primary governing document for the tenancy. Furthermore, Louisiana has one of the fastest eviction processes in the country.

Official Law Citation: The rules and regulations outlined on this page are officially summarized under the Louisiana Civil Code Art. 2668+Preview unavailable and RS Title 9.

Security Deposits

Louisiana does not impose a maximum limit on how much a landlord can charge for a residential security deposit. However, landlords must adhere to strict rules when returning the deposit after the tenant vacates.

• Limit: None (though 1 to 2 months' rent is standard).
• Return Deadline: The landlord must return the deposit (or an itemized list of deductions) within one month after the lease terminates per La. RS 9:3251. Louisiana law specifies "one month" (a calendar month) rather than a fixed 30-day period.
• Exceptions: Per La. RS 9:3251(C), the return and itemization requirements do not apply if the tenant abandons the premises without required notice or prior to lease termination.

See our Security DepositsPreview unavailable guide.

The Eviction Process

The eviction process in Louisiana is remarkably swift compared to most other jurisdictions.

• The 5-Day Notice: Once a tenant's right of occupancy has ceased (e.g., after the lease terminates or is cancelled due to non-payment or lease violations), the landlord issues a 5-Day Notice to Vacate prior to filing for eviction, as required by CCP Art. 4701. Per La. CCP Art. 5059, because the period is less than seven days, intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays are excluded from the count.
• Waiver of Notice: Uniquely in Louisiana, the lease agreement can include a clause where the tenant explicitly waives their right to the 5-day notice. If this clause is in the lease, the landlord can file for eviction the moment the tenant defaults, without any prior warning.
• Petition of Eviction: If the tenant does not leave, the landlord files a Rule for Eviction in the appropriate City Court, Justice of the Peace Court, or District Court, leading to a rapid court hearing.

See our Eviction ProcessPreview unavailable guide.

Rent Increases and Late Fees

• Rent Increases: Louisiana has no rent control laws at the state or local level. Landlords can increase rent by any amount. For month-to-month leases, they must provide written notice at least 10 calendar days before the end of the current month per CC Art. 2728. For leases with a term longer than one month, notice must be given at least 30 calendar days before the end of the period. Fixed-term leases cannot be increased mid-term unless the lease contains an escalation clause.
• Late Fees and Grace Periods: There is no statutory grace period in Louisiana. Rent is due on the exact date stated in the lease. Late fees are completely legal and not capped by statute, but they must be explicitly detailed in the lease and generally considered "reasonable" (e.g., 5% to 10% of rent) to be enforceable in court.

See our Rent IncreasesPreview unavailable and Late FeesPreview unavailable guides.

Disclosures and Lease Requirements

Louisiana law requires specific mandatory disclosures, most notably regarding flood history.

• Mandatory Flood Disclosure (La. RS 9:3198.1): Effective January 1, 2024, every lessor of residential real property must provide a written notice to the lessee at or before the time the lease is signed disclosing whether the property has experienced a flood, whether it is located in a FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Area (100-year floodplain) or Moderate Risk Flood Hazard Area (500-year floodplain), and providing a statement regarding the availability of flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program.
• Other Disclosures: Beyond federal requirements like lead-based paint, landlords are not statutorily mandated to disclose mold history or recent deaths on the property, though fraud and intentional misrepresentation laws still apply.

See our Required DisclosuresPreview unavailable and Lease RequirementsPreview unavailable guides.

Maintenance Obligations

Under the Louisiana Civil Code, specifically Art. 2682, landlords are required to maintain the property in a condition suitable for the purpose for which it was leased. Landlords are responsible for all major repairs, while tenants are generally responsible for minor, everyday repairs (like replacing light bulbs or fixing a broken lock they caused). If a landlord fails to make necessary major repairs after receiving notice, Louisiana law allows tenants a limited "repair and deduct" remedy under Art. 2694.

See our Maintenance ObligationsPreview unavailable guide.

How Landager Helps

Landager tracks lease terms, required compliance items, and accounting records - making it easy to stay compliant with Louisiana regulations.