Free Louisiana Lease Agreement Templates

There are various types of lease agreements in Louisiana, depending on the type of property and rental arrangement. Whether you’re leasing a home, an apartment, or a commercial space, you can choose the form that best suits your needs. Each free template below can be customized to reflect your specific terms and comply with Louisiana state laws.

Louisiana Standard Lease Agreement

Establishes a lease agreement between a landlord and a tenant for renting a residential property.

Louisiana Month-to-Month Rental Agreement

Provides residents with the option for adaptable, month-to-month living arrangements, free from the necessity of a long-term commitment.

Louisiana Commercial Lease Agreement

Meant for businesses leasing commercial properties.

Louisiana Room Rental Agreement

Formalize cohabitation through a binding contract between the primary tenant and additional occupants.

Louisiana Sublease Agreement

Provides the subtenant with the authorization to lease either the entire property or a portion of it for a defined duration.

Louisiana Rent-to-Own Lease Agreement

Combines the advantages of a traditional lease agreement and home ownership.

Louisiana law establishes clear guidelines for how landlords should manage security deposits, including the amount that can be charged, the timeframe for return, and the penalties applicable for non-compliance.

Maximum Amount & Interest

There is no state limit on how much landlords can charge for a security deposit in Louisiana. The amount is usually mutually agreed upon by the tenant and landlord before signing the lease (Louisiana Revised Statutes § 9:3251).

Landlords are not required to pay any interest on security deposits in Louisiana.

Receipts

Louisiana landlords are not required to provide a written receipt for a security deposit. However, doing so is a good business practice for both parties.

Separate Bank Account

There is no requirement for landlords to hold security deposits in a separate, interest-bearing bank account.

Returning the Deposit

Landlords must return the tenant’s security deposit within 30 days after the lease ends. They must also provide an itemized statement listing any deductions made for damages or unpaid rent (Louisiana Revised Statutes § 9:3251(A)).

Withholding and Itemization

Landlords in Louisiana may keep part or all of the deposit if it’s reasonably necessary to cover:

• Damage that is beyond normal wear and tear
• Unpaid rent or other costs the tenant still owes

If the landlord retains any money, they must send the tenant an itemized list explaining what was deducted within 30 days after the lease ends (Louisiana Revised Statutes § 9:3251(A)).

Penalty for Non-Return

If a landlord willfully fails to return a deposit or provide an itemized statement within 30 days, they may owe the tenant $300 or twice the amount kept, whichever is greater (Louisiana Revised Statutes § 9:3252).

Abandonment Exception

These return and itemization rules don’t apply if a tenant abandons the property without proper notice or before the lease ends (Louisiana Revised Statutes § 9:3251(C))

Most rent rules in Louisiana are based on what’s written in the lease, so it’s important that both landlords and tenants read the agreement carefully before signing.

You can easily create a rental lease agreement in Louisiana that includes all state-specific terms using our free Louisiana lease agreement template.

Rent Due Date

Rent is due on the date stated in the lease agreement. If no date is specified, rent is typically due at the beginning of each rental period.

Rent Control

Louisiana does not have rent control laws, allowing landlords to set and adjust rent as agreed in the lease. However, for a month-to-month lease, landlords must give at least 10 days’ written notice before increasing rent.

Grace Period

There is no mandatory grace period for late rent payments in Louisiana. Landlords can charge a late fee as soon as rent is past due, unless the lease provides an extension of time. Landlords may choose to include a grace period in the lease for added flexibility.

Late Fees

There is no legal limit on the amount a landlord can charge as a late fee. However, the fee must be clearly stated in the lease to be enforceable.

NSF (Bounced Check) Fees

If a tenant’s check is returned, the landlord may charge a fee of $25 or 5% of the check amount, whichever is higher (Louisiana Revised Statutes § 9:2782(A))

Failure to Pay Rent

If a tenant fails to pay rent on time, the landlord may issue a five-day notice to vacate before initiating eviction proceedings in court (Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Article 4701) 

Withholding Rent

If a landlord fails to make repairs within a reasonable time after being notified, the tenant may withhold rent or deduct repair costs from future rent payments (Louisiana Civil Code Article 2694).

Landlord Responsibilities

Landlords must deliver and maintain the property in a condition that’s safe and suitable for living. They’re responsible for major repairs that are not caused by the tenant’s fault or misuse. Landlords must ensure that essential services, such as heating, plumbing, and electricity, are kept in good working order (Louisiana Civil Code Article 2691).

Tenant’s Responsibilities

Tenants must take reasonable care of the property, keep it clean, and use it in a responsible manner. Tenants are responsible for any repairs resulting from damage they cause. They should also notify the landlord promptly if any repairs or maintenance are needed (Louisiana Civil Code Article 2692).

Repairs by Tenant

If the landlord fails to make essential repairs within a reasonable time after being notified, tenants have the right to:

• Make the repairs themselves and deduct the cost from the rent
• Ask the court for a rent reduction until the problem is fixed (Louisiana Civil Code Article 2694)

Abandonment

Louisiana law does not define a specific time period for when a rental property is considered abandoned. This is typically determined based on the particular situation and the lease terms.

Louisiana law does not specify the exact rules for when or how a landlord may enter a rental property. Since there are no state-wide statutes, landlords and tenants should rely on reasonable notice and good communication to avoid disputes.

Notice Requirements

Landlords are not legally required to give an advance notice before entering a rental unit. However, providing 24-48 hours’ notice is widely considered reasonable.

Valid reasons for entry include:

• Making necessary repairs or inspections
• Showing the property to potential tenants or buyers
• Checking the property’s condition at move-in or move-out

Emergency Entry

A landlord may enter the property without notice in an emergency, such as a fire, gas leak, or significant water damage, when immediate access is necessary to protect life or property.

Frequent or unnecessary entry may be considered harassment and could violate the tenant’s right to peaceful possession of the premises. Therefore, landlords must limit visits to when it’s necessary and only at reasonable times.

Landlords in Louisiana are required to share certain information with tenants before they move in. These disclosures help tenants understand the property’s condition better and how to contact the landlords during the lease.

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure

Under federal law, landlords are required to disclose any known lead-based paint hazards for properties built before 1978. They must also give tenants the EPA pamphlet(42 US Code § 4852d)

Landlord or Agent Contact Information

Landlords should include their name, address, and contact information (or that of their authorized agent or property manager) in the lease agreement. This ensures that the tenant knows how to contact the correct person for maintenance or emergencies.

Although not required by law, landlords may choose to include optional disclosures such as:

• Mold disclosure to inform the tenant of any known mold problems
• Smoking policy to clarify whether smoking is allowed on the property or not
• Utility sharing disclosure to clarify how utilities are divided if meters are shared

View a sample Louisiana lease agreement template below to see what your completed document should look like. Then, use our step-by-step questionnaire to create a customized lease, and download your Louisiana residential lease agreement in PDF and Word format.