Louisiana landlords often deal with difficult choices when tenants stop paying rent or break their lease. Those who understand the Louisiana eviction process and laws can help themselves avoid costly mistakes and wasted time. This guide explains each stage of eviction, from valid legal reasons to required timelines, filing costs, and critical landlord-tenant laws.
How Louisiana Law Defines Eviction
In Louisiana, an eviction occurs when a landlord files a court case, known as a Rule for Possession, to legally remove a tenant from a rental unit. Every step must follow strict state rules, from the notice period to the court hearing.
Louisiana’s eviction laws appear in the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Articles 4701 through 4735, which explain how landlords across the state must serve notices, file paperwork, and regain possession of their property.
Eviction With Just Cause
In Louisiana, “just cause” means a landlord has a legal reason to end a lease early. Common reasons include unpaid rent, significant property damage, or serious lease violations that disrupt other tenants or the property itself.
Landlords can evict tenants for just cause if they have clear proof, though each step they take must follow Louisiana’s eviction procedures, from the initial notice to the court hearing.
For landlords trying to evict tenants, documenting late payments, damaged property, or complaints will help prevent disputes and ensure the eviction process runs smoothly.
Applicable law: La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4701, La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4731
No-Fault Evictions
Louisiana landlords can end a fixed-term lease once it naturally expires without giving a specific reason. When the lease’s end date arrives, they may simply choose not to renew or extend it, provided the original agreement clearly sets that date.
For tenants renting month-to-month, landlords across Louisiana, including those in Lafayette and Baton Rouge, can end the tenancy without cause by giving at least 10 calendar days’ written notice before the current rental period ends.
Applicable law: La. Civ. Code art. 2720, La. Civ. Code art. 2728
Grounds for Eviction in Louisiana
Landlords in Louisiana may evict tenants for several legally recognized reasons, which include:
Non-Payment of Rent
Louisiana law does not require a specific grace period for late rent, so landlords can move towards eviction as soon as rent goes unpaid (unless the lease grants extra time). After any landlord-imposed grace period, the landlord may issue a Notice to Vacate, giving the tenant at least 5 days to pay or move out.
For landlords, setting precise rent due dates and grace terms in the lease helps prevent confusion. Once a tenant misses payment and ignores reminders, delivering a proper notice will keep the eviction process on solid legal ground.
Applicable law: La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4701
Lease Violations
A rental agreement lays out the expectations for both landlords and tenants. When a tenant breaches those terms, Louisiana landlords have the right to begin the eviction process in court.
Here are a few realistic examples of lease violations:
- A tenant in Baton Rouge converts a spare bedroom into a recording studio, removing doors and wiring extra outlets without the landlord’s consent.
- A tenant in Lafayette throws weekly crawfish boils that draw large crowds and violate the lease’s quiet-hours policy.
- A tenant in New Orleans moves in two pit bulls despite signing a no-pet agreement and refuses to remove them after repeated warnings.
Lease agreements exist to protect both parties. Landlords should write clear, detailed terms, and tenants should take time to understand them to avoid costly disputes or eviction.
Applicable law: La. Civ. Code art. 2668, La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4701
Illegal Use of the Premises
Louisiana landlords can evict tenants who use their rental property for illegal or criminal purposes. For instance, if a tenant grows marijuana inside a duplex, sells stolen goods from a garage, or deals drugs from an apartment, the landlord can begin the eviction process immediately.
Landlords should document every incident, contact law enforcement when appropriate, and follow Louisiana’s eviction steps carefully. Keeping detailed records and serving proper notices ensures the case will hold up in court and protect the property from further misuse.
Applicable law: La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4701, La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4731
Tenant Actions that Threaten Health or Safety
When a tenant’s behavior puts others at risk, Louisiana landlords must act quickly. Issues like blocked fire exits, pest infestations, or sanitation hazards can violate state and local safety codes. Landlords should document the problem, notify the tenant, and start corrective action immediately. Learn more in our Louisiana Warranty of Habitability guide.
Applicable law: La. Civ. Code art. 2691, La. Civ. Code art. 2696
Destruction or Neglect of the Rental Unit
When a tenant damages or neglects a rental unit in Louisiana, the landlord can seek to evict the tenant. State law requires tenants to care for the property, handle minor repairs, and avoid any damage beyond normal wear and tear.
To prove damage, landlords should take clear, time-stamped photos, request repair quotes, and keep all written communication with the tenant. Thorough documentation helps support eviction filings or deductions from the security deposit.
Applicable law: La. Civ. Code art. 2688, La. Civ. Code art. 2694
Tenant is in a Month-to-Month Rental Contract
Louisiana landlords can end a month-to-month rental agreement at any time without giving a specific reason. To do so, they must provide the tenant with 10 days’ written notice, using a proper Notice to Vacate form, before the rental period ends. If the tenant remains after the deadline, the landlord can file an eviction case in court.
Applicable law: La. Civ. Code art. 2728, La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4701
Step-by-Step Eviction Process in Louisiana
Louisiana’s eviction process starts with proper notice, continues with a court filing, and ends with sheriff enforcement. Landlords must follow a strict, step-by-step process to keep the case valid. Here are the steps they must take:
1. Deliver Notice to the Tenant
Louisiana landlords should begin the eviction process by identifying the issue that led the tenancy astray. To do so, they should document the problem, serve the tenant with proper notice, and give the tenant a short window to move out or fix the issue (when state law requires it).
Some actions in Louisiana leave no room for a second chance, especially when a tenant keeps repeating the same issue or crosses a serious line. In situations like these, landlords should spell out the problem clearly, follow the state’s service rules, and move forward once the tenant goes beyond what the lease and Louisiana law allow.
Notice Forms & Timelines
- Notice to Vacate for Nonpayment of Rent: Landlords must serve a written 5-day Notice to Vacate after rent goes unpaid. Louisiana excludes weekends and legal holidays from this 5-day count.
- Notice to Vacate for Lease Violations: Landlord should use a 5-day Notice to Vacate when a tenant violates lease terms. Louisiana law does not require a cure period, though landlords may offer one during the same 5-day window if it helps resolve the issue.
- Notice to Terminate Month-to-Month Tenancy (No Cause): Landlords should issue tenants a 10-day written notice at least 10 days before the end of the rental period to terminate a month-to-month lease.
- Notice to Vacate for Illegal or Dangerous Activity: Landlords can use a 5-day Notice to Vacate for illegal or dangerous conduct. Louisiana treats these violations as non-curable because of the risks involved.
Applicable law: La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4701, La. Civ. Code art. 2728
2. File an Eviction Lawsuit Against the Tenant
When the notice window ends or the tenant ignores a curable issue, the landlord can then push the eviction case forward. To do so, the landlord must file a Rule for Possession with the proper parish court and prepare for the next steps.
Filing fees in Louisiana vary by parish, but most landlords will spend around $100 to $200 to open the case. After the landlord submits the paperwork, the court will review it, and the clerk will set a hearing date and time so both sides know when to show up.
Applicable law: La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4731, La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4732
3. Serve Court Summons Paperwork to the Tenant
Once the Louisiana clerk sets a court date, the landlord should contact the parish sheriff to deliver the Rule for Possession and the hearing notice. The sheriff will handle service as required by Louisiana law, complete a return of service form, and ensure the court adds it to the case file in the proper parish.
Tenants in Louisiana do not need to file a written answer for eviction cases, since the process moves through the summary procedure. After the tenant receives the summons, both sides simply need to show up on the hearing date to argue their cases.
Applicable law: La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4734, La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 1231
4. Attend the Eviction Hearing
When the court date arrives, the landlord and tenant will appear before a Louisiana judge, either on their own or with an attorney. Each side will explain what led to the dispute, outline their position, and walk the judge through the facts that shaped the eviction case.
During the hearing, the judge may request documents, photos, receipts, or witness statements to clarify the situation. The judge will then review everything presented, consider how Louisiana law applies, and carefully weigh the information.
Applicable law: La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4732, La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4733
5. Court Reaches a Ruling
After the judge reviews testimony, documents, and any witness statements, the court will reach a ruling under Louisiana eviction law. In many parishes, the judge will announce the decision the same day as the hearing, often within minutes of both sides finishing their presentations.
If the judge rules in the tenant’s favor, the tenant will remain in the unit and continue their tenancy under the current lease. If the judge rules in favor of the landlord, the eviction will move on to the next step. The tenant will also have the right to file a suspensive appeal within 24 hours, but they must post the required bond for the appeal to proceed.
Applicable law: La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4732, La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4735
6. Judge Issues a Writ of Possession
If the judge rules in favor of eviction, the court will issue a Writ of Possession, which authorizes the parish sheriff or constable to remove the tenant if they refuse to leave and will confirm the landlord’s right to take back the rental.
After the judge signs the Writ of Possession, the sheriff will set the removal date, often within 24 hours of receiving the order. Throughout the process, the landlord will coordinate with the sheriff’s office in the local parish and prepare to repossess to the unit.
Applicable law: La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4733, La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4734
7. Law Enforcement Executes the Writ of Possession
If the Writ of Possession’s deadline passes and the tenant still refuses to leave, the parish sheriff or constable will have legal authority to arrive at the rental, remove the tenant, and return the unit to the landlord. Landlords should never attempt to self-help evict a tenant.
Louisiana law does not set rules for handling belongings left behind after an eviction. Since no statewide statute governs abandoned property in residential cases, the landlord can decide how to handle anything the tenant leaves in the unit and proceed as they see fit.
Applicable law: La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4734
Tenant Defense Against Eviction in Louisiana
A potential eviction in Louisiana can shake a tenant’s entire life, which often adds tension to any dispute a landlord faces. Losing housing can disrupt work schedules, school routines, and long-term finances. Even with that pressure, tenants will still have room to advocate for themselves.
Tenants who stay organized, keep written records, and communicate clearly will often manage conflicts more effectively. Some renters head off issues early by documenting repairs, saving receipts, or reaching out before problems escalate. Taking these small steps could tilt the scale in the tenant’s favor.
In Louisiana, many renters turn to Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, a well-known free and low-cost resource that helps review documents, explain next steps, and support tenants through eviction cases across the state.
Timelines to Expect
In Louisiana, an eviction can be completed in 2 to 5 weeks but can take longer depending on the reason for eviction, whether the eviction is contested, which days courts are (or aren’t) in session and other various possible delays.
Below are the parts of the Louisiana eviction process outside the control of landlords for cases that go uncontested.
| Step | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Initial Notice Period | 5-30 Calendar Days |
| Court Issuing Summons | ~2 Business Days |
| Court Serving Summons | ~2 Business Days |
| Tenant Response Period | Not Required |
| Court Ruling | 3 Business Days |
| Court Serving Writ of Possession | 1-3 Business Days |
| Final Notice Period | 24 Hours |
Flowchart of the Louisiana Eviction Process
Typical Court Fees
The average cost of an eviction in Louisiana for all filing, court, and service fees is $170. However, the cost can vary by parish. Eviction lawsuits are filed in City Court where the dwelling unit is located.
| Fee | City |
| Initial Court Filing | $100 + |
| Citation Service | $30 |
| Warrant of Possession Service | $30 |
| Warrant of Possession Execution | $10+ |
| Notice of Appeal Filing (Optional) | $125+ |
Handle the Louisiana Eviction Process Efficiently
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