Landlord kept your deposit? Entered without notice? Threatening eviction? Describe what happened in your own words and get a plain-English breakdown, severity rating, step-by-step next steps, and ready-to-send letters — specific to Louisiana law.
Get My Louisiana Action Plan — Free to StartLa. R.S. §9:3251 requires the deposit back within one month after the lease terminates. There is no fixed statewide entry-notice statute and no statutory rent grace period. The refund clock does not start until the tenant gives the landlord a forwarding address, and a 2026 law (HB 292, effective August 1, 2026) gives landlords keeping part of the deposit 15 extra days past the one-month mark to send the itemized statement — the refund itself is still due within the month. Willful violations can cost the landlord actual damages or $300/twice the amount wrongfully withheld, whichever is greater. Court eviction is required; lockouts and utility shutoffs are unlawful.
30 days after move-out, with an itemized statement for any deductions.
No state law sets a minimum notice period — check your lease, which may require one.
No. Eviction requires a court process — lockouts, belongings removal, and utility shutoffs without a court order are illegal.
Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center at (877) 445-2100. You can also call or text 211 for local referrals.