Louisiana Security Deposit Law: How Many Days and What to Do
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, a landlord has 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) to return a security deposit.
| 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 |
| Statute citation | La. R.S. 9:3251 to 9:3252 |
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
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 The statutory amount depends on the facts and any conditions in La. R.S. 9:3251 to 9:3252; it is separate from the deposit owed.
Louisiana is one of 36 states where the law sets a multiple of the deposit.
| Rule | States | Share |
|---|---|---|
| The law sets a multiple of the deposit ← Louisiana | 36 | 71% |
| The law names another remedy (forfeiture, fees, damages) | 10 | 20% |
| Read the cited remedy; no multiple is set | 5 | 10% |
Source: La. R.S. 9:3251 to 9:3252 · checked 2026-09-23 · n=51 · method: computed from state records · computed, not measured · release 5c9b10e6dffc94d70cee7a2f28ed0379eb3ce9d6
What do you have to do before you can claim the penalty?
Send the required information to start the clock.
- Furnish a forwarding address at termination. La. R.S. 9:3251 to 9:3252
- Written demand; non-remittance within the stated period after it is willful failure (penalty). La. R.S. 9:3251 to 9:3252
Does the deadline move if it falls on a weekend or holiday?
Louisiana law does not clearly say whether a deposit deadline moves when it falls on a weekend or holiday.
To be safe: if the last day falls on a weekend or holiday, treat the deadline as passed only after the next business day. Example: October 10, 2026 is a Saturday, so wait until October 12, 2026 before saying the deadline has passed.
What Louisiana law requires of the landlord
The deposit return rule is 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). The law also requires an itemized statement when deductions are made.
- Return window
- 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)
- Itemization
- Required
- Receipts threshold
- No separate threshold recorded
- Interest
Is interest owed on a deposit in Louisiana?
Louisiana is one of 37 states where interest is not required by state law.
| Rule | States | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Required by state law | 3 | 6% |
| Owed only in some cases | 11 | 22% |
| Not required by state law ← Louisiana | 37 | 73% |
Source: La. R.S. 9:3251 to 9:3252 · checked 2026-09-23 · n=51 · method: computed from state records · 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.
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