If you’re a landlord seeking to evict a tenant, use a Louisiana (LA) eviction notice to begin the process. Your eviction notice must be written according to Louisiana state law, and give your tenant the legally required amount of time to respond or move out.
In Louisiana, evictions are governed by Title XI of the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure.
Eviction notices in Louisiana are also known as:
- Louisiana Notice to Quit
- Louisiana Notice to Pay Rent or Quit
- Louisiana Notice to Vacate
- Louisiana Lease Termination
Louisiana Eviction Notices by Type
Download a free eviction notice customized for Louisiana state law below in MS Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF format.
10-Day Lease Termination: Use this notice to let a tenant know that you’re ending a month-to-month lease, and that they must prepare to leave your property. In Louisiana, landlords must give tenants 10 days’ notice to move out if they’re on a month-to-month lease.
Download: Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF
5-Day Notice to Quit for Non-Compliance: Use this notice to begin evicting a tenant if they’ve broken the terms of your lease. In Louisiana, landlords must give tenants 5 days’ notice before the eviction process can proceed in court. In that time, tenants may have the option to fix (or “cure”) the problem.
Download: Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF
5-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit: Use this notice to begin evicting a tenant if they haven’t paid rent on time. In Louisiana, landlords must give tenants 5 days to pay rent before the eviction process can proceed in court.
Download: Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF
If you wish to send a letter simply reminding your tenant that rent is late (without threat of eviction), use a late rent notice.
Eviction Laws & Requirements
- Laws: Title XI of the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure
- Rent Payment Grace Period: There is no rent payment grace period in Louisiana unless stated specifically in the lease.
- Notice of Non-Compliance: 5 days Title XI CCP 4701
- Late or Non-Rent Payment Notice: 5 days Title XI CCP 4701
- Lease Termination (Month-to-Month): 10 days Louisiana Civil Code 2728
What is the Eviction Process in North Carolina?
Step 1: Serve a Louisiana Eviction Notice
To begin the eviction process in Louisiana, you must provide the proper notice to quit, such as a late rent notice or lease termination. Before sending it to a tenant, remember to make a copy of this notice for your records.
Step 2: File an Eviction Lawsuit
If the tenant doesn’t vacate the property by the date identified in the eviction notice, you can file an eviction lawsuit at the proper Louisiana court. The court that you must file the eviction is determined by where the property is located.
Step 3: Attend the Hearing
The court will prepare an Order to Show Cause, which must be served by a constable. This notice provides the date and time of the hearing. Attend this hearing.
Step 4: Receive Judgment for Eviction
If the tenant doesn’t appear in court or you prove your case to the court’s satisfaction, the court will issue a Judgment for Eviction.
Step 5: Obtain a Warrant for Possession
If your tenant has still not vacated the property, ask the court for a Warrant for Possession. Provide the executed order to the constable so they can physically evict the tenant.
Related Louisiana Court Forms
Each city and parish in Louisiana has its own court forms, but examples can be found on the official Shreveport government website. Contact the court clerk where your case is filed for the following forms:
- Petition for Eviction: The Petition for Eviction sets out your legal grounds for evicting the tenant, states that the court is the appropriate one to file your legal action, and asks the court to formally evict the tenant.
- Soldier’s/Sailor’s Affidavit: This affidavit states whether the tenant is in the military and is filed with the petition.
- Order to Show Cause: This order is served on the tenant, notifying them when the court hearing will be.
- Warrant for Possession: This document gives the constable legal authority to physically remove the tenant from your property.
Eviction Information for Louisiana Landlords and Tenants
Landlords
Louisiana law prevents landlords from taking self-help measures against their tenants, such as shutting off utilities or changing the locks without a court order.
Visit the National Conference of State Legislatures for more information on the rights and obligations of Louisiana landlords.
Tenants
The National Conference of State Legislatures also has information on the rights and obligations of Louisiana tenants.
LouisianaLawHelp.org is a good resource for Louisiana tenants to understand their rights and the eviction process.
The New Orleans Bar has also published instructions for tenants to defend themselves against eviction.
If you are a tenant facing eviction, visit the following sites for more information: