Eviction Laws in Louisiana
Non-payment of rent eviction in Louisiana
When a tenant falls behind on rent in Louisiana, the landlord must first serve a 5-day pay-or-quit notice. This gives the tenant 5 days to either pay the full amount owed or vacate. If the tenant does neither, the landlord can file an eviction lawsuit — called an unlawful detainer or summary possession action — in Louisiana court.
A court order is required before any lockout. The landlord cannot change the locks, shut off utilities, or remove the tenant's belongings before winning a judgment.
Lease violation eviction in Louisiana
For non-payment lease violations — unauthorized pets, excess occupants, noise complaints, property damage — the landlord must give 5 days notice. Louisiana provides no statutory cure period for lease violations — the tenant may be required to vacate without the opportunity to fix the issue, depending on the nature of the violation.
Terminating month-to-month tenancy in Louisiana
To end a month-to-month rental agreement without cause, the landlord must give 10 days written notice. The tenant must give the same 10-day notice to end the tenancy.
Important Louisiana eviction details
Louisiana civil-law state. 5-day notice for non-payment. For lease violations, the notice is an unconditional 5-day notice to quit — no statutory cure right (art. 2728). Month-to-month tenancy terminated with 10 days' notice. Louisiana eviction proceedings are relatively fast.
What counts as an illegal eviction in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, a landlord who attempts to evict a tenant without following the legal process commits an illegal (self-help) eviction. This includes:
- Changing the locks without a court order
- Removing doors, windows, or the tenant's belongings
- Shutting off utilities (electricity, water, heat)
- Harassment designed to pressure the tenant to leave
Self-help evictions are prohibited in all 50 states and DC. Tenants who experience an illegal lockout can typically seek emergency relief from a court and may be entitled to damages.
Louisiana Eviction FAQ
- How many days notice does a landlord have to give for non-payment of rent in Louisiana?
- In Louisiana, a landlord must give at least 5 days' notice to pay or quit before filing for eviction for non-payment of rent, per La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4701; La. Civ. Code art. 2686.
- How many days does a tenant have to fix a lease violation in Louisiana?
- In Louisiana, the landlord must give 5 days' notice for a lease violation. There is no statutory cure period — the tenant may be required to vacate without the opportunity to fix the issue.
- How much notice is required to terminate a month-to-month tenancy in Louisiana?
- In Louisiana, a landlord must give 10 days' notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy. The tenant must give the same amount of notice to end the tenancy.
- Can a landlord evict a tenant without going to court in Louisiana?
- No. Louisiana requires a court order to evict. Self-help evictions — changing locks, removing the tenant's belongings, or shutting off utilities — are illegal. The landlord must serve the required notice, wait the notice period, and then file an eviction lawsuit if the tenant does not comply.
- Does Louisiana require just cause to evict a tenant?
- No. Louisiana does not have a statewide just-cause eviction requirement. Landlords can terminate a month-to-month tenancy by giving the required notice without stating a reason.