Last reviewed September 2026
Written by LawLease Editorial
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Louisiana Security Deposit Return Letter
When a tenancy ends, a Louisiana landlord has a set time to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions. Here’s what Louisiana’s statute says.
Louisiana rules at a glance
| Return deadline | The deposit must be returned within one month after the lease terminates.La. R.S. 9:3251(A) |
|---|---|
| Itemized statement | Since August 1, 2026 (Act 63 of 2026), the itemized statement of amounts retained may go out within one month of termination or within 15 days after that one-month mark.La. R.S. 9:3251(A) |
| 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.La. R.S. 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 Security Deposit Return Letter 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
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Security Deposit Return Letter in other states
- Alabama Security Deposit Return Letter
- Alaska Security Deposit Return Letter
- Arizona Security Deposit Return Letter
- Arkansas Security Deposit Return Letter
- California Security Deposit Return Letter
- Colorado Security Deposit Return Letter
- Connecticut Security Deposit Return Letter
- Delaware Security Deposit Return Letter
- District of Columbia Security Deposit Return Letter
- Florida Security Deposit Return Letter
- Georgia Security Deposit Return Letter
- Hawaii Security Deposit Return Letter
- Idaho Security Deposit Return Letter
- Illinois Security Deposit Return Letter
- Indiana Security Deposit Return Letter
- Iowa Security Deposit Return Letter
- Kansas Security Deposit Return Letter
- Kentucky Security Deposit Return Letter
- Maine Security Deposit Return Letter
- Maryland Security Deposit Return Letter
- Massachusetts Security Deposit Return Letter
- Michigan Security Deposit Return Letter
- Minnesota Security Deposit Return Letter
- Mississippi Security Deposit Return Letter
- Missouri Security Deposit Return Letter
- Montana Security Deposit Return Letter
- Nebraska Security Deposit Return Letter
- Nevada Security Deposit Return Letter
- New Hampshire Security Deposit Return Letter
- New Jersey Security Deposit Return Letter
- New Mexico Security Deposit Return Letter
- New York Security Deposit Return Letter
- North Carolina Security Deposit Return Letter
- North Dakota Security Deposit Return Letter
- Ohio Security Deposit Return Letter
- Oklahoma Security Deposit Return Letter
- Oregon Security Deposit Return Letter
- Pennsylvania Security Deposit Return Letter
- Rhode Island Security Deposit Return Letter
- South Carolina Security Deposit Return Letter
- South Dakota Security Deposit Return Letter
- Tennessee Security Deposit Return Letter
- Texas Security Deposit Return Letter
- Utah Security Deposit Return Letter
- Vermont Security Deposit Return Letter
- Virginia Security Deposit Return Letter
- Washington Security Deposit Return Letter
- West Virginia Security Deposit Return Letter
- Wisconsin Security Deposit Return Letter
- Wyoming Security Deposit Return Letter
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