Louisiana Lease Agreement Create a Louisiana Lease Agreement

Louisiana Lease Agreement

Published Dec 07, 2025
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A Louisiana Lease Agreement is a legally binding contract that clearly defines the rental terms, payment obligations, and responsibilities of both the landlord and tenant for property leased in Louisiana.

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LOUISIANA LEASE AGREEMENT

THIS LEASE AGREEMENT (hereinafter referred to as the "Agreement") is entered into on the , by and between:

LANDLORD (LESSOR):
Name:
Address:
Phone:
Email:

AND

TENANT (LESSEE):
Name(s):
Phone:
Email:

I. PROPERTY (THE PREMISES)

The Landlord agrees to lease to the Tenant, and the Tenant agrees to lease from the Landlord, the residential property located at:

Address:
City:
State: Louisiana
Zip Code:

Description of the Premises (optional):

II. TERM OF LEASE

This Agreement shall commence on ("Commencement Date") and shall continue as follows (check one):

III. RENT

The Tenant agrees to pay the Landlord rent in the amount of $ per month.

1. Due Date: Rent is due on the day of each month.

2. First Month's Rent: The Tenant shall pay the first month's rent in the amount of $ upon execution of this Agreement.

3. Payment Method: Rent shall be paid by (check all that apply):




Payment instructions:

IV. SECURITY DEPOSIT

Upon execution of this Agreement, the Tenant shall deposit with the Landlord the sum of $ as a Security Deposit.

1. Return of Deposit: In accordance with Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:3251, the Security Deposit shall be returned to the Tenant within one (1) month after the lease terminates and the Tenant vacates the Premises, less any deductions for damages or unpaid rent.

2. Itemized Statement: If any portion of the deposit is retained, the Landlord shall provide the Tenant with an itemized statement accounting for the proceeds which are retained and the reasons therefor.

3. Forwarding Address: The Tenant must provide a forwarding address in writing to the Landlord upon vacating the Premises.

V. LATE CHARGES AND RETURNED CHECKS

1. Late Fee: If rent is not received by the day of the month, the Tenant agrees to pay a late fee of $.

2. Returned Checks: For each check returned by the bank for insufficient funds, the Tenant agrees to pay a charge of $ or 5% of the face amount of the check, whichever is greater, pursuant to Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:2782.

VI. OCCUPANTS

The Premises shall be occupied only by the Tenant and the following individuals:

VII. UTILITIES AND SERVICES

The parties agree that utilities and services shall be the responsibility of the following parties:

Utility/Service Responsibility
Electricity
Gas
Water/Sewer
Trash Collection
Cable/Internet
Landscaping

VIII. PETS

(Check one)

IX. MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS

1. Landlord's Obligations: The Landlord shall maintain the Premises in a condition fit for the use for which it was leased and make all necessary repairs, except those for which the Tenant is responsible, pursuant to Louisiana Civil Code Article 2691.

2. Tenant's Obligations: The Tenant shall keep the Premises clean and sanitary and shall be responsible for repairs resulting from the Tenant's negligence or misuse.

3. Repair and Deduct: Pursuant to Louisiana Civil Code Article 2694, if the Landlord fails to make necessary repairs within a reasonable time after demand by the Tenant, the Tenant may cause them to be made. The Tenant may demand immediate reimbursement of the amount expended or deduct that amount from the rent, provided the cost is reasonable.

X. RIGHT OF ENTRY

The Landlord shall have the right to enter the Premises at reasonable times for the purpose of inspection, making necessary repairs, or showing the property to prospective tenants or purchasers. Except in cases of emergency, the Landlord shall provide the Tenant with at least twenty-four (24) hours' notice.

XI. DEFAULT AND WAIVER OF NOTICE

1. Default: If the Tenant fails to pay rent when due or violates any other term of this Agreement, the Landlord may terminate this lease and proceed with eviction.

2. Waiver of Notice to Vacate: CRITICAL LEGAL PROVISION: Pursuant to Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Article 4701, the Tenant expressly waives the five (5) day notice to vacate requirement. Upon termination of the lease for any reason, including non-payment of rent, the Landlord may immediately institute eviction proceedings without further notice to vacate.

XII. ABANDONMENT

If the Tenant abandons the Premises, the Landlord shall have the right to enter and re-take possession. Abandonment shall be presumed if the Tenant has vacated the Premises and failed to pay rent for a period consistent with Louisiana Civil Code Article 2713.

XIII. LEAD-BASED PAINT DISCLOSURE

(Check one)

XIV. MEGAN'S LAW DISCLOSURE

As required by Louisiana law, the Tenant is hereby notified that the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information maintains a State Sex Offender and Child Predator Registry. It is a public record and is available to the public on the internet. The Tenant may access this information at: http://www.lsp.org/socpr/default.html.

XV. GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Louisiana.

XVI. ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

XVII. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior understandings, whether written or oral. No amendment or modification of this Agreement shall be valid unless in writing and signed by both parties.

SIGNATURES

LANDLORD (LESSOR):

Signature: _________________________

Date:

Print Name: _______________

TENANT (LESSEE):

Signature: _________________________

Date:

Print Name: _______________

What is a Louisiana Lease Agreement?

A Louisiana Lease Agreement is a legally binding contract between a landlord, referred to as the lessor, and a tenant, known as the lessee, that outlines the terms for renting a property. This document establishes the rights and obligations of both parties regarding the occupation of residential or commercial premises in exchange for rent payments. Because Louisiana operates under a civil law system derived from the Napoleonic Code rather than the common law system used in the other 49 states, the terminology and statutory requirements within these agreements differ significantly from other jurisdictions. The agreement serves to protect the interests of both parties by clearly defining parameters such as rental rates, duration of tenancy, and property maintenance responsibilities.

Legal Framework and Civil Code Governance

The legal foundation for a Louisiana Lease Agreement is found primarily in the Louisiana Civil Code, specifically Title IX, "Of Lease." Unlike common law states where case law heavily influences interpretation, Louisiana relies on the codified statutes to dictate the relationship between lessor and lessee. Key articles within the Civil Code address the delivery of the property, the warranty of habitability, and the liability for damages. Additionally, the Louisiana Revised Statutes contain specific provisions regarding security deposits and eviction procedures that supersede general contract principles.

Essential Elements of a Valid Lease

For a lease to be legally enforceable in Louisiana, it must contain three essential components: the thing (the property), the rent (the price), and the consent of the parties. While oral leases are recognized under state law, written agreements are standard practice to ensure all terms are explicitly understood. The document must accurately describe the premises and state the specific duration of the lease, whether it is for a fixed term or a month-to-month arrangement. If the duration is not agreed upon, the Civil Code applies default terms based on the type of property and the manner in which rent is paid.

Required Disclosures and Content

Drafting a compliant document involves including specific elements mandated by state and federal law. While Louisiana has fewer statutory disclosure requirements than some states, certain information is critical for validity and compliance.

  • Full legal names and signatures of the lessor and lessee
  • Legal description or physical address of the premises
  • Agreed-upon rent amount, due date, and payment methods
  • Security deposit amount and terms of return
  • Federal Lead-Based Paint Disclosure (required for buildings erected before 1978)
  • Terms regarding the waiver of notice to vacate (if applicable)

Security Deposits and Return Procedures

The handling of security deposits is strictly regulated under Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:3251. This statute dictates that a landlord must return the security deposit to the tenant within one month after the lease terminates and the tenant vacates the premises. If the landlord retains any portion of the deposit to cover damages or unpaid rent, they must provide an itemized statement explaining the deductions. Failure to comply with this requirement can result in the landlord being liable for actual damages or two hundred dollars, whichever is greater, in addition to attorney fees and costs.

Tenant Rights: Repair and Deduct

One specific right afforded to tenants in this state is the "repair and deduct" remedy outlined in Louisiana Civil Code Article 2694. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs that are their responsibility after receiving proper notice from the tenant, the tenant may arrange for the repairs to be made. The tenant may then deduct the reasonable price of these repairs from the rent payment. However, this right is contingent upon the repairs being indispensable and the cost being reasonable in relation to the value of the rent.

Eviction and Lease Termination

The process for terminating a Louisiana Lease Agreement varies based on the type of lease. For fixed-term leases, the agreement ends automatically upon the expiration date without the need for notice. For indeterminate (month-to-month) leases, Civil Code Article 2728 requires a written notice of at least ten calendar days before the end of the month to terminate the tenancy. In cases of non-payment or lease violations, the landlord must generally provide a five-day notice to vacate before filing eviction proceedings, although many standard lease templates include a clause waiving this specific notice requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, verbal lease agreements are legally recognized in Louisiana. However, they are generally considered month-to-month arrangements and can be difficult to enforce in court if disputes arise regarding specific terms like rent amounts or repair obligations.
Louisiana law does not impose a statutory limit on the amount a landlord can charge for a security deposit. The amount is determined by the agreement between the landlord and the tenant, though it is typically equal to one month's rent.
No, there is no mandatory grace period for rent payments under state law. Rent is considered late the day after it is due, and landlords can begin eviction proceedings immediately unless the lease agreement specifies a grace period.
Louisiana does not have a specific statute prohibiting landlord entry without notice. However, the concept of "peaceable possession" implies that tenants should be free from unreasonable disturbances. Most written leases include a clause requiring 24 hours of notice before entry, except in emergencies.
Unless the lease agreement states otherwise, the lease remains in effect if the property is sold. The new owner must honor the existing Louisiana Lease Agreement until it expires, assuming the rights and obligations of the previous landlord.
State law does not place a cap on late fees, but they must be considered "reasonable" by a court if challenged. Late fees must be clearly outlined in the written contract to be enforceable.

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