Louisiana (LA) law guide
Quick answer
Louisiana law does not cap security deposits, and landlords must return the deposit within 1 month of lease termination. There is no statewide rent control, and landlords may raise rent by any amount with proper written notice. For nonpayment of rent, landlords must give a 5-day written notice to vacate before filing for eviction. Louisiana does not set a minimum entry notice period by statute, though 24 hours advance notice is the widely accepted standard practice.
Security Deposit Limit
No statutory cap
Deposit Return Deadline
1 month after lease ends
Statewide Rent Control
None
Nonpayment Eviction Notice
5 days written notice
Louisiana rental market snapshot
Population
4.6 million (2024 est.)
Renter households
About 33% of households
Median rent
About $1,300/mo for a 2BR (2025 est.)
Largest rental markets
New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Lafayette, Lake Charles
Louisiana rents remain well below the national median, with 2BR apartments averaging around $1,525 in New Orleans and closer to $1,200 in Baton Rouge, making the state one of the more affordable rental markets in the South.
Louisiana sets no limit on how much a landlord can charge for a security deposit. Landlords may collect any amount they choose, so tenants should negotiate before signing.
The deposit must be returned within 1 month after the lease ends (La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 9:3251). If any portion is withheld, the landlord must send an itemized written statement of deductions within that same 30-day window.
Louisiana has no statewide rent control, and no city or parish is authorized to impose rent caps. Landlords may set rent at any amount and raise it by any amount with proper written notice before the next lease term begins.
Louisiana law does not set a mandatory grace period or cap late fees, so the lease terms govern both. Tenants may withhold rent or repair and deduct costs if the landlord fails to make necessary repairs within a reasonable time (La. Civ. Code Art. 2694).
For nonpayment of rent, landlords must serve a 5-day written notice to vacate before filing in court (La. Code Civ. Pro. Ann. Art. 4701). The same 5-day notice applies to lease violations and criminal activity on the premises.
For month-to-month tenancies without a fixed end date, the landlord must provide 30 days written notice to terminate. After proper notice expires without the tenant vacating, the landlord may file an eviction petition in the appropriate court.
Louisiana has no statute that specifies a required notice period before a landlord may enter. The widely accepted practice is at least 24 hours advance notice, and many leases spell out entry terms. Emergency entry without notice is generally permitted.
Landlords must make all repairs necessary to keep the unit habitable under La. Civ. Code Art. 2691. There is no fixed repair deadline; the law requires action within a reasonable time after the tenant notifies the landlord in writing.
Louisiana landlords must provide a unit that is suitable for habitation under the implied warranty of fitness (La. Civ. Code Arts. 2691 to 2694). The unit must have functioning utilities, plumbing, electricity, and structural integrity.
Retaliation is prohibited. A landlord may not evict, raise rent, or reduce services in response to a tenant exercising a legal right, such as requesting repairs or reporting code violations. Tenants facing retaliatory conduct can raise it as a defense in eviction court.
The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and familial status. Louisiana adds protections for additional classes under state law, including ancestry and certain local parish-level protections.
Breaking a fixed-term lease early typically exposes the tenant to liability for remaining rent. However, Louisiana law recognizes justified early termination for active military members under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, and courts may allow it for uninhabitable conditions or landlord breach. Small claims court handles deposit and rent disputes up to $5,000.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Governing statute: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 9:3251 to 9:3261; La. Civ. Code Arts. 2668 to 2729; La. Code Civ. Pro. Ann. Art. 4701. Laws change; confirm the current statute or consult an attorney before acting. Last reviewed 2026-06-05.
Louisiana FAQ
Louisiana landlords have **1 month** (30 days) after the lease ends to return the deposit and any itemized deduction statement. The clock starts when the tenancy terminates and the tenant provides a forwarding address. A landlord who withholds funds in bad faith may owe up to $300 in penalties plus attorney fees.
No. Louisiana has **no statewide rent control**, and state law does not allow cities or parishes to set rent caps. Landlords can charge any rent amount and raise it by any amount, provided they give proper written notice before the next rental period begins.
For nonpayment of rent or a lease violation, the landlord must give a **5-day written notice to vacate** before filing for eviction (La. Code Civ. Pro. Ann. Art. 4701). For a month-to-month tenancy the landlord wants to end without fault, **30 days** written notice is required.
Louisiana has **no statute** that mandates a specific notice period before landlord entry. In practice, **24 hours** advance notice is the widely accepted standard, and most leases include an entry notice clause. Emergency access for urgent repairs is generally permitted without prior notice.
If the landlord fails to repair a problem within a **reasonable time** after written notice, the tenant has three main options under the Louisiana Civil Code: (1) repair the issue and deduct the cost from rent, (2) seek a rent reduction, or (3) pursue lease dissolution if the condition is severe enough. Tenants should document all requests and responses in writing.
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