Louisiana Security Deposit Demand Letter
In Louisiana, a landlord has 30 days after move-out to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions (as of 2026; source: La. Rev. Stat. §9:3251). This letter cites that deadline, states the amount and your forwarding address, and gives the landlord a date to respond before you file. Free, no signup.
Maintained by Rapi Stack · Every state-specific figure on this page is cited to its statute or official agency page · Dataset last verified 2026 · Not legal advice.
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Louisiana deposit rules at a glance
- Return deadline
- 30 days after move-out
- Deposit cap
- No statutory limit
As of 2026. Source: La. Rev. Stat. §9:3251 ↗. Want the exact due date? Use the deposit return calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Louisiana landlord have to return the deposit?
30 days after you move out, as of 2026 (source: La. Rev. Stat. §9:3251). Counted in calendar days; check the statute for whether the clock starts at move-out, lease end, or receipt of your forwarding address, and whether a weekend deadline rolls over. Use the deposit return calculator to get the exact date.
Is there a limit on how much deposit a Louisiana landlord can charge?
Louisiana sets no statutory cap on the security deposit (as of 2026; source: La. Rev. Stat. §9:3251), so the amount is whatever the lease says. The return deadline still applies to the full amount.
How much can I sue for in Louisiana if the landlord ignores this?
$5,000 exclusive of interest, costs and attorney fees in Justice of the Peace Courts (La. C.C.P. arts. 4911-4912); city court small claims divisions carry the same $5,000 cap (La. R.S. 13:5200 et seq.). JP courts cannot hear suits against public bodies, title to real estate, or family matters; they can hear evictions regardless of amount. The court is the Justice of the Peace Court (rural wards) or the small claims division of a City Court, and the filing fee is Set locally by each court under La. R.S. 13:2590; commonly ~$75-$150 including service. Ask the individual JP or city court clerk.. As of 2026; source: La. C.C.P. art. 4911; La. R.S. 13:5200 et seq. (city court small claims); La. R.S. 13:2590 (JP fees).
Do I need a lawyer in Louisiana small claims?
Attorneys are Allowed but not required in both JP courts and city court small claims divisions.. Source: La. C.C.P. art. 4911; La. R.S. 13:5200 et seq. (city court small claims); La. R.S. 13:2590 (JP fees) (as of 2026).
Deposit rules in every state, cited to statute: security deposit limits by state.
How Louisiana compares
Computed from our 51-jurisdiction dataset (as of 2026). Source for Louisiana: La. Rev. Stat. §9:3251 ↗.
- Deposit return deadline
Deposit return deadline: 30 days, exactly the national median.
This is the most common figure nationally — shared by 26 other states.
Deposit return deadline in neighboring states — Arkansas (60 days), Mississippi (45 days), Texas (30 days).
The rest of what Louisiana requires
The figures below are Louisiana's, not national averages — each one is the value we verified for this state, with the statute it comes from. Follow a row to the full Louisiana page for that document.
- Security deposit cap · as of 2026
- No statutory limit La. Rev. Stat. §9:3251 ↗
- Deposit return deadline · as of 2026
- 30 days after move-out La. Rev. Stat. §9:3251 ↗
- Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy · as of 2026
- 10 days La. Rev. Stat. §9:3251 ↗
- Notice for unpaid rent · as of 2026
- 5 days to pay or quit La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4701; La. Civ. Code art. 2728 ↗
- Small claims limit · as of 2026
- $5,000 La. C.C.P. art. 4911; La. R.S. 13:5200 et seq. (city court small claims); La. R.S. 13:2590 (JP fees) ↗
- Where you file · as of 2026
- Justice of the Peace Court (rural wards) or the small claims division of a City Court · filing fee Set locally by each court under La. R.S. 13:2590; commonly ~$75-$150 including service. Ask the individual JP or city court clerk. La. C.C.P. art. 4911; La. R.S. 13:5200 et seq. (city court small claims); La. R.S. 13:2590 (JP fees) ↗
- Rental application fee · as of July 2026
- No statutory limit Louisiana Laws ↗
- Bill of sale notarization · as of 2026
- Required to transfer a vehicle title Louisiana OMV ↗
- Power of attorney signing · as of 2026
- Notarization not-required La. Civ. Code arts. 2989 & 2993 ↗
- LLC operating agreement · as of 2026
- Not required by statute, but it controls over the default rules La. R.S. 12:1301(A)(16) ↗
- Recording a deed · as of 2026
- Clerk of Court, ex officio parish recorder of conveyances and mortgages (La. R.S. 13:750; in Orleans Parish the clerk of civil district court is parish recorder, La. R.S. 44:181) · 2 witnesses La. Civ. Code arts. 1833, 1839, 2502 ↗
Security deposit demand letter in other states
More Louisiana legal forms
Different state? See security deposit demand letters by state →