--- title: "Louisiana Landlord Rules: Deposits, Notices, Evictions | MCC" description: "Louisiana landlord-tenant rules: deposit returned within one month, 10-day notice to end month-to-month, 5-day notice for unpaid rent. Official sources linked." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/tools/louisiana-landlord-rules" --- Free tool · Louisiana · Landlords and tenants # Louisiana landlord rules: deposits, notices and the eviction steps The deposit rules, notice periods, eviction case and small claims limit for Louisiana, each from the state's own pages or courts. **Quick answer.** Security deposit return deadline in Louisiana: Within one month after the lease ends; an itemized statement of any amount kept and why within one month after the tenancy ends. **Sources checked:** November 2026 **Quick answer.** Louisiana: deposit returned within one month; 10-day notice to end month-to-month; 5-day notice for unpaid rent; $5,000 small claims limit. 14 of 23 items are confirmed on official pages; 9 are marked not confirmed, with the page to check. ## Key numbers Deposit back within one month Month-to-month notice (landlord) 10 days Unpaid rent notice 5 days Time to answer or appear At the hearing Judgment to writ 24 hours Small claims limit $5,000 ## Security deposit (3 of 6 confirmed) Law read: La. R.S. 9:3251 and 9:3252. Need the other side served? [Process serving with an affidavit of service](/notary/process-serving). - ### Not confirmedDeposit limit Not confirmed — check [Louisiana Legislature: R.S. 9:3252, Failure to comply](https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=107469). Not confirmed from official text. Check R.S. 9:3251. - ### ConfirmedReturn deadline Within one month after the lease ends; an itemized statement of any amount kept and why within one month after the tenancy ends. Sources: [Louisiana Legislature: R.S. 9:3252, Failure to comply](https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=107469); [Louisiana Legislature: 2026 HB 292 (shows present R.S. 9:3251 text)](https://legis.la.gov/legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1452499), checked November 2026 - ### ConfirmedItemized list of deductions An itemized statement of the amounts kept and the reasons. A 2026 bill (HB 292) proposed 15 more days for the statement; check R.S. 9:3251 for the current wording. Source: [Louisiana Legislature: 2026 HB 292 (shows present R.S. 9:3251 text)](https://legis.la.gov/legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1452499), checked November 2026 - ### Not confirmedInterest on the deposit Not confirmed — check [Louisiana Legislature: R.S. 9:3252, Failure to comply](https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=107469). Not confirmed from official text. Check R.S. 9:3251. - ### Not confirmedWhere the deposit is held Not confirmed — check [Louisiana Legislature: R.S. 9:3252, Failure to comply](https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=107469). Not confirmed from official text. Check R.S. 9:3251. - ### ConfirmedPenalty the law states Willful failure: the amount wrongfully kept plus $300 or twice that amount, whichever is greater. Not paying within 30 days after a written demand counts as willful (9:3252(A)). Source: [Louisiana Legislature: R.S. 9:3252, Failure to comply](https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=107469), checked November 2026 More: [Security deposit rules by state](/tools/security-deposit-rules-by-state#st-LA) · [Deposit return deadline calculator](/tools/security-deposit-return-deadline-calculator?state=LA) ## Notice periods (5 of 6 confirmed) What the official text says about each notice. Cities and counties can add their own notice, just-cause or rent rules. Check local rules too. | Notice | Rule | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Ending month-to-month (landlord) | Notice at least 10 days before the end of the month for a month-to-month lease (5 days before the period ends for week-to-month leases). It ends the lease at the end of the period named, or the first period for which it was on time. | Source: [Louisiana State Legislature: Civil Code Article 2728](https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=109792), checked November 2026 (Civil Code art. 2728) | | Ending month-to-month (tenant) | Notice at least 10 days before the end of the month for a month-to-month lease (5 days before the period ends for week-to-month leases). It ends the lease at the end of the period named, or the first period for which it was on time. | Source: [Louisiana State Legislature: Civil Code Article 2728](https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=109792), checked November 2026 (Civil Code art. 2728) | | Rent increase notice | No notice period for a rent increase in Civil Code Article 2728 as read; Nolo's 50-state chart (updated 4/25/2024) says there is no Louisiana statute on the notice required to change rent or other terms. Check the lease. | Sources: [Louisiana State Legislature: Civil Code Article 2728](https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=109792); [Nolo (secondary source): State Rules on Notice Required to Change or Terminate a Month-to-Month Tenancy, 50-state chart (updated 4/25/2024)](https://nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/georgia-notice-requirements-terminate-month-month-tenancy.html), checked November 2026 | | Unpaid rent notice | A notice to vacate allows the lessee five days from its delivery to vacate the premises, as existing law quoted in the Legislature's 2022 digest. The digest doesn't tie the five days to nonpayment specifically. | Source: [Louisiana State Legislature: Resume digest of Act 442 (HB 160), 2022 Regular Session](https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1295005), checked November 2026 (Code of Civil Procedure art. 4701) | | Entry notice | No entry notice period stated: Nolo's 50-state chart (updated 7/18/2025) cites Civil Code art. 2693 and lists 'No notice period specified'. Check the lease. | Source: [Nolo (secondary source): State Laws on Landlord's Access to Rental Property, 50-state chart (updated 7/18/2025)](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/free-books/renters-rights-book/chapter8-1.html), checked November 2026 | | Late fee limits | Not confirmed — check [Louisiana State Legislature: Civil Code Article 2728](https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=109792). Not confirmed. Check the lease. | | More: [Notice periods by state](/tools/landlord-tenant-notice-periods-by-state#st-LA) · [Notice date calculator](/tools/notice-date-calculator?state=LA) ## Eviction case, in order (5 of 10 confirmed) - **Notice before filing** The written notice comes first; its length is in the notice table above.Unpaid rent: A notice to vacate allows the lessee five days from its delivery to vacate the premises, as existing law quoted in the Legislature's 2022 digest. The digest doesn't tie the five days to nonpayment specifically. - **Filing the case** Where the case goes and what it costs to start. #### Not confirmedCourt Not confirmed — check [Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Art. 4732: Trial of rule; judgment of eviction](https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=112079). Not confirmed on an official page we opened. - #### Not confirmedFiling fee Not confirmed — check [Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Art. 4732: Trial of rule; judgment of eviction](https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=112079). Not confirmed on an official page we opened. - **The tenant's answer or appearance** #### ConfirmedTime to answer or appear The tenant answers or appears at the trial of the rule; judgment of eviction is rendered immediately if the landlord prevails or the tenant doesn't appear.the court shall render immediately a judgment of eviction Source: [Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Art. 4732: Trial of rule; judgment of eviction](https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=112079), checked November 2026 - **Hearing or trial** #### ConfirmedHearing after filing The rule to show cause can be tried no earlier than the third day after service (the earliest date here assumes service on the filing day).The court shall make the rule returnable not earlier than the third day after service thereof Source: [Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Art. 4732: Trial of rule; judgment of eviction](https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=112079), checked November 2026 - **Judgment and the writ** The order that lets the officer act. #### ConfirmedJudgment to writ If the tenant doesn't comply within 24 hours after the judgment of eviction, the court issues the warrant of possession.does not comply with the judgment of eviction within twenty-four hours after its rendition Source: [Louisiana Supreme Court, Uniform Forms Committee: Forms for City and Parish Courts](https://www.lasc.org/rules/City_Parish/Uniform_Forms_for_City_Parish_Courts.pdf), checked November 2026 - **Lockout** Carried out by an officer, not by either side. #### Not confirmedWrit to lockout Not confirmed — check [Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Art. 4732: Trial of rule; judgment of eviction](https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=112079). Not confirmed on an official page we opened. - #### ConfirmedWho carries out the lockout The sheriff, constable or marshal executes the warrant.The sheriff, constable, or marshal shall execute a warrant rendered under Article 4733. Source: [Louisiana Supreme Court, Uniform Forms Committee: Forms for City and Parish Courts](https://www.lasc.org/rules/City_Parish/Uniform_Forms_for_City_Parish_Courts.pdf), checked November 2026 - **Along the way** Paying to stop the case, counsel and diversion programs. #### Not confirmedPaying to stop the case Not confirmed — check [Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Art. 4732: Trial of rule; judgment of eviction](https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=112079). Not confirmed on an official page we opened. - #### ConfirmedRight to counsel (statewide) No statewide right to counsel for tenants in eviction cases (as of November 2026, per the National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel): its tracker of enacted laws lists no statewide law here. Local: New Orleans (2022) have their own right-to-counsel laws.An eviction right to counsel is created by an enacted law that, at a minimum: Source: [National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel (secondary source): National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel: Enacted Eviction Right to Counsel and Eviction Defense Programs (last modified November 2026)](https://civilrighttocounsel.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RTC_Enacted_Legislation_in_Eviction_Proceedings_FINAL.pdf), checked November 2026 - #### Not confirmedDiversion or mediation (statewide) Not confirmed — check [Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Art. 4732: Trial of rule; judgment of eviction](https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=112079). Not confirmed on an official page we opened. ### Example: a case filed Monday, March 1, 2027 The earliest date of each stage the confirmed rules allow, from our eviction timeline estimator. Earliest under the statute; courts' calendars often take longer. | Stage | Earliest date | | --- | --- | | Case filed | Monday, March 1, 2027 | | Answer or appear | Thursday, March 4, 2027 | | Hearing or trial | Thursday, March 4, 2027 | | Judgment | Thursday, March 4, 2027 | | Writ or warrant of possession | Friday, March 5, 2027 | More: [Louisiana eviction process](/tools/eviction-process-louisiana) · [Eviction timeline estimator](/tools/eviction-timeline-estimator?state=la) ## Deposit disputes: small claims - ### ConfirmedSmall claims limit (for a deposit dispute) $5,000: the most a small claims case can ask for.Not more than $5,000, not counting interest, court costs, attorney fees and penalties. At most 10 plaintiffs; no class actions. The City Court of East St. Tammany uses the justice of the peace limit instead. Source: [Shreveport City Court: Small Claims](https://shreveportla.gov/1044/Small-Claims), checked November 2026 More: [Louisiana small claims court](/tools/small-claims-louisiana) ## Still to confirm - Deposit limit: check [Louisiana Legislature: R.S. 9:3252, Failure to comply](https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=107469) - Interest on the deposit: check [Louisiana Legislature: R.S. 9:3252, Failure to comply](https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=107469) - Where the deposit is held: check [Louisiana Legislature: R.S. 9:3252, Failure to comply](https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=107469) - Late fee limits: check [Louisiana State Legislature: Civil Code Article 2728](https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=109792) - Court: check [Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Art. 4732: Trial of rule; judgment of eviction](https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=112079) - Filing fee: check [Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Art. 4732: Trial of rule; judgment of eviction](https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=112079) - Writ to lockout: check [Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Art. 4732: Trial of rule; judgment of eviction](https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=112079) - Paying to stop the case: check [Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Art. 4732: Trial of rule; judgment of eviction](https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=112079) - Diversion or mediation (statewide): check [Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Art. 4732: Trial of rule; judgment of eviction](https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=112079) General information, not legal advice. We are not lawyers, and MCC Solutions is not a law firm. The same rules apply whichever side of the lease you are on; this page describes them and doesn't take a side. Rules change, cities and counties can add their own, a lease can add terms, and the official source has the final word. ## Common questions **How long does a Louisiana landlord have to return a deposit?** Within one month after the lease ends; an itemized statement of any amount kept and why within one month after the tenancy ends. What goes with it: An itemized statement of the amounts kept and the reasons. A 2026 bill (HB 292) proposed 15 more days for the statement; check R.S. 9:3251 for the current wording. **How much notice ends a month-to-month tenancy in Louisiana?** From the landlord: Notice at least 10 days before the end of the month for a month-to-month lease (5 days before the period ends for week-to-month leases). It ends the lease at the end of the period named, or the first period for which it was on time. From the tenant: Notice at least 10 days before the end of the month for a month-to-month lease (5 days before the period ends for week-to-month leases). It ends the lease at the end of the period named, or the first period for which it was on time. **What notice comes before an unpaid-rent case in Louisiana?** A notice to vacate allows the lessee five days from its delivery to vacate the premises, as existing law quoted in the Legislature's 2022 digest. The digest doesn't tie the five days to nonpayment specifically. **How much notice before a landlord enters a rental in Louisiana?** No entry notice period stated: Nolo's 50-state chart (updated 7/18/2025) cites Civil Code art. 2693 and lists 'No notice period specified'. Check the lease. **How long does an eviction case take in Louisiana?** Time to answer or appear: At the hearing. Hearing after filing: At least 3 days. Judgment to writ: 24 hours. These are the stated rules; the court's calendar often takes longer. **Can a Louisiana deposit dispute go to small claims court?** The small claims limit in our data: $5,000: the most a small claims case can ask for. The court's own page explains what kinds of cases it hears. **How much can a security deposit be in Louisiana?** Not confirmed in our data files. Check Louisiana Legislature: R.S. 9:3252, Failure to comply (https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=107469). Related: [Landlord rules by state](/tools/landlord-rules-by-state) · [Kits for landlords](/toolkits/for/landlords) ## Keep rental records in order [Bookkeeping for small landlords](/bookkeeping/for/small-landlords)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)