Louisiana Security Deposit: Your Deadline and Next Step
In Louisiana, a landlord has one month after your lease ends to return a security deposit or send an itemized list (La. R.S. 9:3251 to 9:3252). Most states allow 30 days; Louisiana is the same.
Last checked 2026-09-23
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Details of the return rules
In Louisiana, the landlord must return the deposit within one month (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).
| When it applies | Deadline | Starts from |
|---|---|---|
| return of deposit or itemized statement of retained amounts; the statute uses one month | one month | after the lease terminates / date the tenancy terminates |
Louisiana return rule: one month (return of deposit or itemized statement of retained amounts; the statute uses one month). Check the dates you entered above.
Key facts
| Deadline | one month (return of deposit or itemized statement of retained amounts; the statute uses one month); trigger: after the lease terminates / date the tenancy terminates |
|---|---|
| Additional deadline 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 |
The landlord says you owe more than the deposit. What now?
Answer the landlord in writing and identify each disputed charge. Choose the "My landlord says I owe more" tab above. Ask for an itemized explanation and keep your response in writing.
A debt collector's notice and a credit report dispute have separate federal rules. Check whether those situations apply to you:
A debt collector's validation notice must state that the debt is assumed valid unless you dispute it within 30 days after receiving the notice. 15 U.S.C. § 1692g(a)(3): unless the consumer, within thirty days after receipt of the notice, disputes the validity of the debt, or any portion thereof, the debt will be assumed to be valid by the debt collector
If you dispute the debt in writing within that 30-day period, the collector must stop collecting the disputed part until it mails you verification. 15 U.S.C. § 1692g(b): If the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period described in subsection (a) that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, or that the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector shall cease collection of the debt, or any disputed portion thereof, until the debt collector obtains verification of the debt
If a disputed debt appears on your credit report, you can dispute it with the credit reporting agency, which must reinvestigate free of charge. 15 U.S.C. § 1681i(a)(1)(A): if the completeness or accuracy of any item of information contained in a consumer's file at a consumer reporting agency is disputed by the consumer and the consumer notifies the agency directly, or indirectly through a reseller, of such dispute, the agency shall, free of charge, conduct a reasonable reinvestigation
What can a landlord deduct in Louisiana?
Louisiana law names a specific rule for 1 of 6 common charges (cleaning). For the others, the general wear-and-tear rule applies.
| Charge | Can the landlord deduct it? | Rule | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaning | Only if this condition is met: 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. | The lessor may retain all or any portion reasonably necessary to remedy a default of the tenant or to remedy unreasonable wear to the premises.… | La. R.S. 9:3251(A) |
| Carpet replacement | Only if the cited general rule permits the charge | General rule: normal wear and tear cannot be charged | La. R.S. 9:3251 to 9:3252 |
| Painting | Only if the cited general rule permits the charge | General rule: normal wear and tear cannot be charged | La. R.S. 9:3251 to 9:3252 |
| Nail holes and wall damage | Only if the cited general rule permits the charge | General rule: normal wear and tear cannot be charged | La. R.S. 9:3251 to 9:3252 |
| Pet damage | Only if the cited general rule permits the charge | General rule: normal wear and tear cannot be charged | La. R.S. 9:3251 to 9:3252 |
| Unpaid rent and fees | Only if the cited general rule permits the charge | General rule: normal wear and tear cannot be charged | La. R.S. 9:3251 to 9:3252 |
I never did a move-in inspection. How do I prove the condition?
Collect move-out photos, messages, witnesses, and repair invoices. Put them in date order before responding.
Where do you file if the letter does not work?
Small claims limits in Louisiana depend on the court and the claim: $5,000 (justice of the peace / parish court small claims (varies by parish) only). The limit varies by parish and court. Check the court and fees.
The state record lists a 3-year period to sue. Check when your claim accrued before counting from it.
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 | Statewide filing fee: Fees vary by court; confirm the current filing and service charges with the clerk. | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Jefferson Parish | Jefferson Parish Justice of the Peace Courts, Gretna | $5,000 | Statewide filing fee: Fees vary by court; confirm the current filing and service charges with the clerk. | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Orleans Parish | First City Court of New Orleans, New Orleans | $5,000 | Statewide filing fee: Confirm current filing and service fees with the court clerk. | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
See all 5 county small claims courts and filing fees
What happens if the landlord misses the deadline?
for willful failure: recover the wrongfully retained portion plus $300 or twice the wrongfully retained portion, whichever is greater Keep statutory damages separate from the deposit and other actual damages.
Louisiana is one of 36 states where the law sets a multiple of the deposit.
How does Louisiana's deadline compare with other states?
Louisiana's return deadline is 30 days. The middle of the comparable state deadlines is ≈30 days. Use the dates and questions above to see which deadline applies to you.
| State | Return rule |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | 30 days |
| Colorado | 30 days |
| Georgia | 30 days |
| Iowa | 30 days |
| Maine | 30 days |
| Massachusetts | 30 days |
See all 51 jurisdictions
| State | Return rule |
|---|---|
| Montana | 10 days |
| Alaska | 14 days |
| Arizona | 14 days |
| Hawaii | 14 days |
| Kansas | 14 days |
| Nebraska | 14 days |
| New York | 14 days |
| Vermont | 14 days |
| Florida | 15 days |
| Delaware | 20 days |
| Rhode Island | 20 days |
| California | 21 days |
| Connecticut | 21 days |
| Idaho | 21 days |
| Minnesota | 21 days |
| South Dakota | 21 days |
| Wisconsin | 21 days |
| Colorado | 30 days |
| Georgia | 30 days |
| Iowa | 30 days |
| Louisiana | 30 days |
| Maine | 30 days |
| Massachusetts | 30 days |
| Michigan | 30 days |
| Missouri | 30 days |
| Nevada | 30 days |
| New Hampshire | 30 days |
| New Jersey | 30 days |
| New Mexico | 30 days |
| North Carolina | 30 days |
| North Dakota | 30 days |
| Ohio | 30 days |
| Pennsylvania | 30 days |
| South Carolina | 30 days |
| Texas | 30 days |
| Utah | 30 days |
| Washington | 30 days |
| Wyoming | 30 days |
| Oregon | 31 days |
| District of Columbia | 45 days |
| Illinois | 45 days |
| Indiana | 45 days |
| Maryland | 45 days |
| Mississippi | 45 days |
| Oklahoma | 45 days |
| Virginia | 45 days |
| Alabama | 60 days |
| Arkansas | 60 days |
| West Virginia | 60 days |
| Kentucky | No fixed return deadline |
| Tennessee | No fixed return deadline |
Source: state statute records · checked 2026-09-23 · n=48 fixed rules among 51 jurisdictions · method: first listed return deadline; calendar months plotted as ≈30 days · computed, not measured · release 5c9b10e6dffc94d70cee7a2f28ed0379eb3ce9d6
FAQ
How do I confirm the Louisiana deadline?
Use the questions above to match your dates to La. R.S. 9:3251 to 9:3252, and keep proof of each date.
What is the small claims limit in Louisiana?
See the applicable court limits and jurisdictions in the state court guide. Louisiana court guide
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
What's next?
What to do if there is no response · How to send your letter · How to write a demand letter
Statute text, sources and changes
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
Sources
- https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=107468 · accessed 2026-07-14
- https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=107469 · accessed 2026-07-14
- https://louisianalawhelp.org/resource/getting-back-your-security-deposit-step-by-step-guide · accessed 2026-07-14
- https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=112118 · accessed 2026-07-14
Changes
- : Record verified against the cited statute.
Verified 2026-09-23 · release 5c9b10e6dffc94d70cee7a2f28ed0379eb3ce9d6