Last reviewed September 2026
Written by LawLease Editorial
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Louisiana Rental Application
This Rental Application is built with Louisiana as the governing state. These are the Louisiana landlord-tenant rules that most often bear on it, with the statute for each.
Louisiana rules at a glance
| Security deposit limit | No statutory cap |
|---|---|
| Deposit return | 1 month after the lease ends; since Aug. 1, 2026 the itemized statement may follow up to 15 days laterLa. R.S. 9:3251(A) |
| Itemized statement | If any part is kept, the landlord must send an itemized statement of the amounts retained and the reasons. Act 63 of 2026 (effective August 1, 2026) lets that statement go out within one month of termination or within 15 days after that one-month mark — the deadline for returning the deposit itself did not change. |
| Deposit rights | The one-month return rule and the $300-or-double penalty for willful retention apply by statute, regardless of what the lease says (R.S. 9:3251–9:3252). |
Security deposits in Louisiana
Louisiana places no limit on the amount of a security deposit. The rules focus on what the landlord may keep and how quickly the balance comes back (La. R.S. 9:3251).
- What can be kept — Only what is reasonably necessary to remedy the tenant’s default or to remedy unreasonable wear to the premises — normal wear and tear can’t be charged (R.S. 9:3251(A)).
- Return deadline — The deposit must be returned within one month after the lease terminates (R.S. 9:3251(A)).
- Itemized statement — If any part is kept, the landlord must send an itemized statement of the amounts retained and the reasons. Act 63 of 2026 (effective August 1, 2026) lets that statement go out within one month of termination or within 15 days after that one-month mark — the deadline for returning the deposit itself did not change.
- Abandonment — The one-month return rule doesn’t apply when the tenant abandons the premises, either without giving the required notice or before the lease ends (R.S. 9:3251(C)).
- Penalty — Willful failure to comply lets the tenant recover the amount wrongfully kept plus $300 or twice that amount, whichever is greater. Not refunding within 30 days after the tenant’s written demand counts as willful (R.S. 9:3252). The court may award attorney fees to the prevailing party (R.S. 9:3253).
Tenant protections you can’t waive
- Health & safety defects — In a residential lease, a waiver of warranty is ineffective for defects that seriously affect health or safety, or for defects the landlord knew or should have known of and the tenant didn’t (art. 2699).
- Liability limits — A clause that in advance excludes or limits a party’s liability for intentional or gross fault, or for causing physical injury, is null (art. 2004).
- Deposit rights — The one-month return rule and the $300-or-double penalty for willful retention apply by statute, regardless of what the lease says (R.S. 9:3251–9:3252).
- Retaliation — Louisiana has no general anti-retaliation statute for private rentals; courts have recognized “abuse of right” as a possible eviction defense, and New Orleans adds a local presumption of retaliation for non-renewals after a tenant seeks habitable housing.
Louisiana Rental Application FAQs
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Louisiana?
Louisiana sets no maximum deposit. The landlord may keep only what’s reasonably necessary to remedy the tenant’s default or unreasonable wear to the premises (La. R.S. 9:3251).
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Louisiana?
One month after the lease terminates. If any part is kept, an itemized statement of the amounts and reasons is required — and under Act 63 of 2026 (effective August 1, 2026), that statement may be sent up to 15 days after the one-month mark. Willful noncompliance costs the landlord $300 or twice the amount wrongfully kept, whichever is greater (R.S. 9:3251–9:3252).
More Louisiana landlord documents
- Louisiana Residential Lease Agreement
- Louisiana Eviction Notice
- Louisiana Security Deposit Return Letter
- Louisiana Rent Increase Notice
- Louisiana Notice to Vacate
- Louisiana Application Approval Letter
- Louisiana Application Denial Letter
- Louisiana Background & Credit Check Authorization
- Louisiana Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Louisiana Bed Bug Addendum
- Louisiana Mold & Mildew Addendum
- Louisiana No-Smoking Addendum
- Louisiana Parking & Storage Addendum
- Louisiana HOA & Community Rules Addendum
- Louisiana Crime-Free Housing Addendum
- Louisiana Utilities & Services Addendum
- Louisiana Early Termination Addendum
- Louisiana Lease Extension Addendum
- Louisiana Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
- Louisiana Military Clause (SCRA)
- Louisiana Pet Addendum
- Louisiana Cash for Keys Agreement
- Louisiana Mutual Lease Termination Agreement
- Louisiana Lease Renewal Agreement
- Louisiana Notice of Non-Renewal
- Louisiana Late Rent Notice
- Louisiana Lease Violation Notice
- Louisiana Notice of Entry
- Louisiana Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Louisiana Rent Receipt
- Louisiana Rent Verification Letter
- Louisiana Tenant Welcome Letter
- Louisiana Property Management Agreement
- Louisiana Commercial Lease
- Louisiana Rent-to-Own Agreement
- Louisiana Short-Term Rental Agreement
- Louisiana Room Rental Agreement
- Louisiana Roommate Agreement
- Louisiana Spanish Lease Agreement
- Louisiana Sublease Agreement
- Louisiana Lease Amendment
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