In Louisiana, both landlords and tenants are responsible for adhering to the state's rental laws. Landlord-tenant laws cover a range of topics, including lease agreements, security deposits, evictions, and more. This article will cover the most important of these laws to help guide Louisiana landlords in maintaining compliant rental businesses and tenant relationships.
Louisiana's state landlord tenant laws can be found in the state's revised statutes and Code of Civil Procedure. These laws are subject to change over time, and the summary provided below is not exhaustive. Therefore, it's critical to do your own research before implementing rental policies and seek legal advice if you have specific questions about landlord-tenant disputes. Failure to comply with these laws could result in lawsuits, fines, and other penalties.
Additionally, keep in mind that this article only covers Louisiana's state laws. Cities and localities often have their own regulations, some of which may be more strict than those the state enforces.
Disclaimer: Innago does not provide legal advice. The content and materials provided in this article are for general informational purposes only and may not be the most up-to-date information.
NEW! 2025 Louisiana Rental Laws
Healthy Homes Initiative (New Orleans). As of January 1, 2024, Landlords in New Orleans are required to register their properties with the city and verify that they meet the Healthy Homes Ordinance's Minimum Rental Standards (passed in 2022).
Louisiana Quick Facts
Louisiana Required Disclosures
Lead-based paint
Louisiana Rent and Fees
Application Fees: N/A Rent Control: None Late Fee Limit: N/A Grace Period Minimum: N/A
Louisiana Security Deposits
Amount Limit: N/A Interest: N/A Return Within: 30 days
Louisiana Landlord Entry
Notice: N/A Permitted Times of Entry: N/A
Louisiana Fair Housing Protections
Race Color National origin Religion Sex Familial status Disability
Louisiana Eviction Notices
Rent Demand Notice: 5-day notice to quit Notice for Lease Violation: 5-day notice to quit Unconditional Notice to Quit: 5-day notice to quit
Rights and Responsibilities of Louisiana Landlords and Tenants
Louisiana landlords and tenants both have rights and responsibilities under the law. The lease agreement is the first document you should look to for your rights and responsibilities, but remember that lease terms are only enforceable if they comply with federal and state laws. For landlords, respecting the rights tenants are given under the law and fulfilling your own landlord responsibilities is part of your job. Doing so also has benefits for you — including better tenant communication, retention, and overall satisfaction.
Below is a brief overview of the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants in Louisiana.
Louisiana landlords have the right to:
Collect rent according to the lease agreement terms.
Collect and hold a security deposit for the lease term. While there's no maximum on security deposits in Louisiana, most landlords charge between one and two month's rent.
Withhold funds from the deposit if a tenant has unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear-and-tear, or other unpaid fees at the time of lease termination.
Screen all tenants that will be living at the rental unit.
Enter the rental property from time to time (e.g., for inspections, showings, repairs, etc.).
Start an eviction if a tenant fails to pay rent, breaks the law on the premises, or otherwise violates the lease agreement.
Establish and enforce all others rental agreement terms (e.g., pets, guests, parking, etc.), as long as they comply with Louisiana landlord-tenant law.
Louisiana landlords are responsible for:
Providing safe, habitable housing. This includes maintaining a property's structural integrity, plumbing, electricity, HVAC system, fixtures and wiring, water, trash, etc.
Complying with all safety, health, and building codes. Louisiana's housing maintenance requirements can be found in the state's revised statutes. Baton Rouge's property maintenance code can be found here, and New Orleans's Minimum Property Maintenance Code here.
Addressing maintenance and repair requestswithin a reasonable timeframe. This typically means within 24-48 hours for emergencies and 30 days for non-critical repairs.
Complying with fair housing laws. This means adhering to the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) and Louisiana's fair housing laws when screening tenants, advertising properties, implementing rent increases, etc.
Providing reasonable notice ahead of entry. Although Louisiana does not currently have any laws regulating when a landlord can enter a unit or how far in advance they must notify the tenant, a general rule of thumb is to give at least 24 hours’ notice.
Maintaining common areas. These include hallways, laundry rooms, gyms, sidewalks, parking lots, and other shared spaces.
Paying the property taxes and insurance premiums for the property. These costs are often passed on to tenants through the rent pricing, but landlords are responsible for making the payments and maintaining appropriate coverage.
Following the proper legal procedures for evictions. Landlords cannot evict tenants without a court order and must follow the Louisiana Eviction Process.
Safe and habitable housing. Tenants are entitled to a home with functioning utilities and appliances, free from pests, weather damage, and environmental hazards.
Legal recourse for landlord misconduct. Tenants can take legal action against landlords for negligence, harassment, or discrimination.
Timely maintenance and repairs. Urgent and essential repairs should be completed within 24-48 hours.
Privacy and home security. Tenants have the right to secure locks and protection from excessive landlord entry.
Advanced notice before rent increases, terminations, evictions, or entry. Louisiana landlords must send advanced notice before any of these events.
“Quiet enjoyment” of the property. All tenants are entitled to use the property without intrusion or excessive interference from the landlord or neighbors.
Protection from retaliatory evictions. Landlords cannot evict tenants for asserting their tenant rights, filing complaints, or reporting unsafe conditions.
Repair and deduct options in some cases. Louisiana tenants have limited abilities to arrange for repairs and deduct the cost from rent (0r demand reimbursement) if the landlord fails to make needed repairs within a reasonable time frame.
Louisiana tenants are responsible for:
Paying rent on time. This includes any late fees and tenant-responsible utility payments.
Following all lease terms. Tenants must comply with the lease as long as it aligns with Louisiana state law.
Maintaining a clean and safe unit. This includes general sanitation, proper trash disposal, and upkeep.
Promptly reporting maintenance problems, especially for urgent repairs.
Handling some minor repairs, like replacing light bulbs or batteries in smoke detectors.
Covering damage from negligence. Tenants are responsible for any damage they or a guest may cause to the property.
Providing notice of non-renewal. If a tenant plans to move out at the end of their lease, they must inform their landlord in advance.
Using the rental as intended. Tenants cannot repurpose a residential unit for business or other unauthorized uses.
Louisiana Required Disclosures
Required disclosures are information that landlords are legally required to disclose to tenants before signing a lease agreement. These often include information about potential hazards in the property, policies the landlord enforces, or legal rights tenants have, and are usually included in written rental agreements.
In Louisiana, the primary required disclosure for residential leases is the federal lead-based paint disclosure. However, be sure to check your local and municipal laws for additional disclosures that may be needed.
Lead-based paint (Title X, Section 1018). Landlords in all 50 states must include information about lead-based paint hazards in the rental agreements for most properties built before 1978. Sellers and landlords must distribute an EPA-approved information pamphlet called “Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home” and disclose any known lead hazards in the property. These obligations were established by Section 1018 of the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992.
Although Louisiana does not have state-wide rent control, the state still has a few laws that regulate how rent and fees should be collected and handled. Here are a few to watch out for in Louisiana:
Rent Payments
Due Date: In the absence of a lease agreement, rent is due at the beginning of each month (La. Civ. Code § 2703).
Rent Control: There is no statewide rent control in Louisiana.
Grace Period: There is no mandatory grace period in Louisiana. However, many landlords choose to implement a 3-5 day grace period for rent.
Fees
Application Fees: Rental application fees are not regulated by Louisiana rent laws.
Late Fees: There is no limit on late fees in Louisiana. However, a reasonable late fee amount is usually around 5% of the rent price.
NSF/Bounced Check Fee Maximum: If the tenant’s rent check bounces, the landlord may charge a fee of $25 or 5% of the check (La. Rev. Stat. § 9:2782(B)).
Tenant Remedies
Repair and Deduct: If the landlord does not make necessary repairs within 14 days (or sooner for emergencies), tenants in Louisiana may arrange for the repair and deduct the cost from the rent, or demand immediate reimbursement, after providing a notice. However, the repair must be necessary, and the cost must be reasonable (La. Civ. Code § 2694).
Louisiana Security Deposit Laws
Security deposits are highly regulated in every state. State laws decide how security deposits must be collected, stored, and returned to the tenant. Below are Louisiana's most important security deposit laws.
Deposit Limit: There is no limit on security deposit amounts in Louisiana. However, most landlords charge around one- to two- month's rent.
Interest: Landlords are not required to pay interest on security deposits to tenants.
Withholding: Landlords may withhold funds from the security deposit that are “reasonably necessary to remedy a default of the tenant or to remedy unreasonable wear” to the property. If the landlord withholds funds from the security deposit, they must provide an itemized list of deductions.
Louisiana Tenant Screening and Fair Housing Protections
What actions are considered housing discrimination?
Tenants have legal protection against unfair housing practices in every state. The federal Fair Housing Act (Title 24 USC § 3601-3607) prohibits discrimination in all aspects of housing. Housing discrimination occurs when landlords engage in discriminatory practices when:
Accepting or denying tenant applications
Choosing the methods they will use to screen tenants
Advertising units
Writing listings
Deciding to increase rent
Allocating rent credits or discounts
Providing maintenance and service to the property
Evicting tenants
etc.
What are the protected classes in Louisiana?
The FHA specifically protects tenants from discrimination based on these seven protected classes. Landlords cannot use a tenant's membership in any of the following protected classes to justify housing decisions:
Race
Color
Religion
Gender
National origin
Familial status
Disability
Louisiana state law adds natural, protective, or cultural hairstyle to the list in addition to reaffirming the FHA's protections (La. Rev. Stat. § 2606).
Use of Credit Reports
Louisiana landlords are subject to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) (15 USC § 1681), which outlines the responsibilities of landlords to protect tenant credit information. According to the Act, landlords may not share tenant credit information with anyone without a legal reason to view it. They must also investigate disputed information, dispose of credit reports after use in tenant screening, and notify applicants when their credit score or history was the reason for their denial.
Use of Criminal Histories
Criminal background checks may be used during tenant screening in Louisiana. However, Louisiana landlords should follow HUD recommendations for using criminal background checks fairly. This includes avoiding blanket policies for denying applicants with criminal convictions, assessing applicants and their criminal histories on a case-by-case basis, and only denying an applicant when they demonstrate a risk to the safety of other residents or the property.
Louisiana state law does not specify rules for when landlords can entry a property or how much notice they should give. However, a good practice is to give tenants at least 24 hours' notice before entering for non-emergency situations like showings or repairs. This practice helps build better landlord-tenant relationships as tenants appreciate when landlord respect their space and privacy.
Advanced Notice: There is no state law in Louisiana requiring landlords to give advance notice before entering a property.
Permitted Times: Louisiana state law does not designate any time-of-day entry restrictions.
Emergency Entry: In case of emergency, landlords may generally enter without prior notice or consent.
Louisiana Eviction Notices
Evictions are complex legal processes often poorly understood by both parties. Before pursuing eviction in Louisiana, consider hiring an experienced real estate attorney and be sure to review the Louisiana eviction process in more detail. Building strong landlord-tenant relationships can help decrease expensive evictions and increase overall tenant retention.
If you do pursue an eviction in Louisiana, the first step is to send a formal eviction notice. This notice should be in writing and served according to Louisiana's requirements. The notice periods for various eviction circumstances in Louisiana are the following:
Rent Demand Notice: 5 days to quit (La. Code Civ. Pro. § 4701). If a tenant fails to pay rent (beyond any grace period established in the lease), the landlord can send an eviction notice and file for eviction five days later.
Notice for Lease Violation: 5 days to quit. According to Louisiana eviction laws, a notice of violation of lease applies when a tenant fails to fulfill any of their obligations as per the rental agreement (La. Code Civ. Pro. § 4701).
Squatters are individuals who move into a property without permission from the owner. Evicting squatters in Louisiana, while sometimes more complicated, often requires undergoing the entire eviction process. Before evicting a squatter in Louisiana, be sure to review the relevant statutes and seek advice from a real estate lawyer. Never try to remove a tenant or a squatter on your own.
Understanding Louisiana’s landlord-tenant laws is essential for ensuring a smooth rental experience for both parties. By knowing their rights and responsibilities, landlords and tenants can prevent disputes and address issues legally when they arise. Staying informed about state regulations helps create a fair and stable rental environment.
FAQs
How much notice must a landlord give before raising rent in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, landlords generally do not have rent control restrictions, but they should still provide reasonable notice (usually around 30-60 days' notice) before increasing rent. Louisiana landlords should not raise rent in the middle of a fixed lease term (unless the lease states otherwise) and cannot raise rent for discriminatory or retaliatory reasons.
Can a landlord enter a rental property without permission in Louisiana?
Louisiana law does not specify exact entry notice requirements, but landlords must act reasonably when accessing the rental. Generally, landlords should provide 24 hours' notice unless it’s an emergency. Lease agreements may outline specific entry rules, so tenants should refer to their lease terms.
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Louisiana?
Landlords must return the security deposit within one month after the lease ends and the tenant moves out. If deductions are made for damages or unpaid rent, the landlord must provide an itemized statement. Tenants can take legal action if the deposit is wrongfully withheld.
Can tenants withhold rent for repairs in Louisiana?
While Louisiana does not have a specific law regarding withholding rent, it does have a "repair and deduct" law. Tenants in Louisiana may arrange for repairs and deduct the cost from rent (or demand immediate reimbursement) if the landlord fails to make a necessary repair within a reasonable time after demand. However, the repair must be necessary, and the cost must be reasonable (La. Civ. Code § 2694).
What are the rules for eviction in Louisiana?
The eviction process is complex in every state, so seek legal guidancefor all evictions. In general, landlords must provide written notice before filing for eviction and follow the court rules for the process. For nonpayment of rent in Louisiana, landlords must send a five-day notice to pay or vacate. If the tenant does not comply, the landlord can proceed with a court eviction, which may take several weeks.
Can a tenant break a lease early in Louisiana?
Tenants can break a lease early, but they may be responsible for remaining rent unless the lease includes an early termination clause. Some exceptions exist, such as active military duty or uninhabitable living conditions. Tenants should communicate with the landlord and check their lease terms.
Are landlords required to provide heating or air conditioning in Louisiana?
Louisiana law requires landlords to maintain habitable conditions, including essential utilities like heating and plumbing. However, air conditioning is not legally required unless specified in the leaseor by individual cities' laws (New Orleans landlords are required to provide AC to renters, for example). Tenants should review their rental agreement for HVAC maintenance responsibilities.
Can a tenant sue a landlord for unsafe living conditions in Louisiana?
Yes, if a landlord fails to maintain a habitable rental, tenants can take legal action. Unsafe conditions may include mold, pest infestations, plumbing failures, or structural hazards. Tenants should first notify the landlord in writing and document all issues before considering legal steps.
One thought on “Louisiana Landlord Tenant Laws [2025]”
Keep the current laws. The importance of no notice for entry is this: If a landlord must enter due to suspected activity of damage, illegal activity, or conformation that someone else has replaced the tenant or the tenant has moved someone in with out permission for over 10 days, this law protects the property owned by the landlord. Practically speaking good landlords want their tenants to feel comfortable to protect their own relationship with tenants who can also spread a bad report and make it difficult for the landlord’s reputation. Keep it this way.
Keep the current laws. The importance of no notice for entry is this: If a landlord must enter due to suspected activity of damage, illegal activity, or conformation that someone else has replaced the tenant or the tenant has moved someone in with out permission for over 10 days, this law protects the property owned by the landlord. Practically speaking good landlords want their tenants to feel comfortable to protect their own relationship with tenants who can also spread a bad report and make it difficult for the landlord’s reputation. Keep it this way.