Louisiana Security Deposit Demand Letter
Direct answer
In Louisiana, the landlord must return the deposit within 30 calendar days (return of deposit or itemized statement of retained amounts; the statute uses one month) or 30 calendar days (failure to remit within 30 days after written demand constitutes willful failure for penalty purposes under R.S. 9:3252). The deadline is measured from this trigger: 30 calendar days (return of deposit or itemized statement of retained amounts; the statute uses one month): after the lease terminates / date the tenancy terminates; 30 calendar days (failure to remit within 30 days after written demand constitutes willful failure for penalty purposes under R.S. 9:3252): after written demand for a refund. The verified state formula is for willful failure: recover the wrongfully retained portion plus $300 or twice the wrongfully retained portion, whichever is greater under La. R.S. 9:3251 to 9:3252.
Key facts
| Deadline | 30 calendar days (return of deposit or itemized statement of retained amounts; the statute uses one month); trigger: after the lease terminates / date the tenancy terminates |
|---|---|
| Deadline (branch 2) | 30 calendar days (failure to remit within 30 days after written demand constitutes willful failure for penalty purposes under R.S. 9:3252); trigger: after written demand for a refund |
| Penalty formula | for willful failure: recover the wrongfully retained portion plus $300 or twice the wrongfully retained portion, whichever is greater |
| Bad faith required | Yes |
| Itemization required | Yes |
| Interest on deposit | No |
| Maximum deposit | No statewide statutory maximum. |
| Forwarding address required | Yes |
| Small claims limit | $5,000 (justice of the peace / parish court small claims (varies by parish)) in Justice of the Peace Court or Parish Court (venue: domicile parish of the lessor or parish where the property is situated) |
| Statute citation | La. R.S. 9:3251 to 9:3252 |
Statute says
Any advance or deposit of money furnished by a tenant or lessee to a landlord or lessor to secure the performance of any part of a written or oral lease or rental agreement shall be returned to the tenant or lessee of residential or dwelling premises within one month after the lease shall terminate, except that the landlord or lessor may retain all or any portion of the advance or deposit which is reasonably necessary to remedy a default of the tenant or to remedy unreasonable wear to the premises. If any portion of an advance or deposit is retained by a landlord or lessor, he shall forward to the tenant or lessee, within one month after the date the tenancy terminates, an itemized statement accounting for the proceeds which are retained and giving the reasons therefor. The tenant shall furnish the lessor a forwarding address at the termination of the lease, to which such statements may be sent.
What this means
Read the deadline, trigger, and penalty together before sending a letter. Match the dates in your documents to the trigger listed above, then cite La. R.S. 9:3251 to 9:3252 and request the deposit amount supported by your records.
Worked example
Use your actual deposit amount when you write the letter. For context, median rent in Louisiana is $1,064 according to U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates data as of .
- East Baton Rouge Parish: $1,147
- Jefferson Parish: $1,190
- Orleans Parish: $1,251
- St. Tammany Parish: $1,332
Example demand basis: a deposit equal to the state median rent starts at $1,064 before applying the state formula: for willful failure: recover the wrongfully retained portion plus $300 or twice the wrongfully retained portion, whichever is greater.
County small claims courts
| County | Court and city | Limit | Filing fee | E-filing | Court link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Baton Rouge Parish | East Baton Rouge Parish Justice of the Peace Courts, Baton Rouge | $5,000 | Fees vary by court; confirm the current filing and service charges with the clerk. | Not verified | Court site |
| Jefferson Parish | Jefferson Parish Justice of the Peace Courts, Gretna | $5,000 | Fees vary by court; confirm the current filing and service charges with the clerk. | Not verified | Court site |
| Orleans Parish | First City Court of New Orleans, New Orleans | $5,000 | Confirm current filing and service fees with the court clerk. | Not verified | Court site |
| St. Tammany Parish | St. Tammany Parish Justice of the Peace Courts, Covington | $5,000 | Fees vary by court; confirm the current filing and service charges with the clerk. | Not verified | Court site |
| Lafayette Parish | Lafayette Parish Justice of the Peace Courts, Lafayette | $5,000 | Fees vary by court; confirm the current filing and service charges with the clerk. | Not verified | Court site |
Free Louisiana template, built from verified state data
I am requesting the return of my security deposit. The verified Louisiana data for this page lists a 30 calendar days (return of deposit or itemized statement of retained amounts; the statute uses one month) or 30 calendar days (failure to remit within 30 days after written demand constitutes willful failure for penalty purposes under R.S. 9:3252) return window and cites La. R.S. 9:3251 to 9:3252.
Before you send
- Collect your lease, deposit receipt, and move-in records.
- Save photos, videos, and messages about move-out condition.
- Write down the move-out date you can prove.
- Confirm the forwarding address you gave the landlord.
- Send by certified mail when appropriate, and keep a copy of the final letter and delivery proof.
When this letter will NOT work
- The dispute is not about return of a security deposit.
- You need urgent court relief instead of a demand letter.
- You cannot identify the landlord or property manager to contact.
- Your documents point to a different state or a different kind of claim.
Typical mistakes
- Sending a letter before organizing the documents that prove the timeline.
- Demanding an amount that does not match the payment records.
- Leaving out the forwarding address or preferred response method.
- Mixing repair complaints into a deposit letter without separating the issues.
FAQ
Does New Orleans have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Louisiana law and local rules.
Does Baton Rouge have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Louisiana law and local rules.
Does Shreveport have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Louisiana law and local rules.
Does Lafayette have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Louisiana law and local rules.
Can I use this if I do not know the exact deposit amount?
Use the amount shown in your lease, receipt, or move-in records. If records conflict, keep copies and avoid guessing in the letter.
Should I send evidence with the first letter?
Attach copies when they prove the basic facts, such as payment, move-out condition, forwarding address, or prior messages.
Can this page replace legal advice?
No. This page is self-help information for organizing a demand letter and checking the cited data before you act.
City data on this page currently includes New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Kenner, Bossier City, Monroe.
Tenant resources
- LouisianaLawHelp.orglegal aid
- Southeast Louisiana Legal Serviceslegal aid, 844-244-7871
- Acadiana Legal Service Corporationlegal aid, 866-275-2572
- Louisiana Attorney General Public Protection Divisionag consumer, 800-351-4889
- Louisiana Civil Legal Navigatorcourt self help