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Landlord's Desk

State law guide · Checked November 14, 2026

Louisiana landlord rules: late fees, deposits and rent increases

Louisiana's statutes say little about late fees, deposit size and rent increases. They are specific about when a deposit goes back and what it costs to keep one wrongly. Here is what the Revised Statutes and the Civil Code say, with the section for each rule.

All states

The short version

  • The statute sets no late fee cap and no required grace period. Your lease sets both.
  • There is no limit on deposit size.
  • Return the deposit within one month after the lease terminates. An itemized statement for any amount kept is due within one month, or within 15 days after that one-month date.
  • Willful wrongful keeping costs the tenant's amount plus $300 or twice that amount, whichever is greater.
  • No statute sets a notice period for raising rent, and no statewide rent cap exists.

Late fees in Louisiana

Limit
None in the statute. La. Civ. Code arts. 2668 to 2729; La. R.S. 9:3251 to 9:3259
Grace period
None in the statute. La. Civ. Code arts. 2668 to 2729; La. R.S. 9:3251 to 9:3259
Other conditions
None specific to late fees. The statute doesn't require a late fee to be in a written lease. La. Civ. Code arts. 2668 to 2729; La. R.S. 9:3251 to 9:3259

Security deposits in Louisiana

Maximum deposit
The statute sets no limit. La. R.S. 9:3251 to 9:3254
Return deadline
Within one month after the lease terminates. The tenant must give a forwarding address at the end of the lease. This deadline doesn't apply when the tenant abandons the premises, either without the required notice or before the lease ends. La. R.S. 9:3251(A), (C)
Itemized deductions
Required, in writing, with reasons, within one month after the tenancy ends or within 15 days after that one-month date. The landlord may keep amounts reasonably necessary to remedy a default of the tenant or unreasonable wear to the premises. The 15-day window was added by Acts 2026, No. 63, effective August 1, 2026. La. R.S. 9:3251(A)
Interest
The statute doesn't require it. La. R.S. 9:3251 to 9:3254
How it's held
No special account or bond in the statute. A landlord who transfers the property must transfer the deposit to the successor. La. R.S. 9:3251(B)
Penalty
For willful failure to comply, the amount wrongly kept plus $300 or twice that amount, whichever is greater. Failure to pay within 30 days after written demand for a refund counts as willful. The court may award costs and attorney's fees to the prevailing party. A tenant's waiver of these rights is void. La. R.S. 9:3252(A), 9:3253, 9:3254

Rent increases in Louisiana

Notice to raise rent
No statute sets a notice period for a rent increase. The closest rule covers ending a month-to-month lease: notice ten calendar days before the end of that month. Check your lease for its own notice term. La. Civ. Code art. 2728(2)
Statewide cap
None in the statute. La. Civ. Code arts. 2668 to 2729
City rent control
No statute names rent control. One section says a lessor's rights under the state's lease law can't be altered, abridged or diminished except by state law. Check with your city before assuming. La. R.S. 9:3258

This page covers Louisiana state law for ordinary residential rentals. Cities and counties can add their own rules, and subsidized housing and mobile home lots follow different ones.

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Questions landlords ask

Is there a late fee limit for rent in Louisiana?

Not in the Louisiana Revised Statutes or Civil Code sections on leases and deposits. The lease sets the late fee and any grace period (La. R.S. 9:3251 to 9:3259; La. Civ. Code arts. 2668 to 2729).

How long does a Louisiana landlord have to return a security deposit?

Within one month after the lease terminates, with an itemized statement for any amount kept due within one month or within 15 days after that one-month date (La. R.S. 9:3251(A)).

What happens if a Louisiana landlord wrongly keeps a security deposit?

For willful failure, the tenant recovers the amount wrongly kept plus $300 or twice that amount, whichever is greater. Failure to pay within 30 days after written demand counts as willful (La. R.S. 9:3252(A)).

Free templates you can use in Louisiana

These are plain templates that aren’t tied to one state. Fill in the numbers your statute and lease call for.

Keep Louisiana rent and deposits on one ledger

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This guide is general information, not legal advice. It summarizes state statutes as read on November 14, 2026; laws change and courts interpret them. Check the current statute (La. Revised Statutes, title 9, sections 3251 to 3254 (lessee's deposit)) or talk to a local attorney before you act.