State guide · LA
Security deposit rules in Louisiana
The two numbers that matter most: how much can be collected, and how fast it must come back.
Deposit limit
No statutory limit
Return deadline
1 month
If you're a tenant:document the unit on day one — photos, video, and a signed move-in checklist. Deposit disputes are almost always evidence disputes, and the side with time-stamped photos usually wins. When you move out, provide a forwarding address in writing; in most states the return clock doesn't start without it.
If you're a landlord: Treat the deadline as hard. Return the deposit within 1 month with an itemized statement for any deductions, and only deduct for unpaid rent or damage beyond normal wear and tear. Milo, our property management expert, covers the full move-out process — inspections, itemization, and the disputes worth avoiding.
Common questions
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Louisiana?
Louisiana's limit is no statutory limit. With no statutory cap, the market sets the number — one to two months' rent is the common range, and anything above that is worth questioning.
How long does a Louisiana landlord have to return the deposit?
Louisiana requires the deposit back within 1 month of move-out, typically with an itemized list of any deductions. Missing the deadline can expose the landlord to penalties — in many states, multiples of the amount wrongfully withheld.
What can a landlord deduct from a deposit in Louisiana?
Like most states, Louisiana allows deductions for unpaid rent and damage beyond normal wear and tear — but not for ordinary aging like faded paint, worn carpet paths, or small nail holes. Documentation (a move-in checklist and photos from both ends of the tenancy) decides most disputes.
Go deeper
Landlording questions?
Milo, our property management expert, handles deposits, leases, screening, and landlord-tenant rules — free, in plain English.
Ask Milo →Plain-English summary of Louisiana's statute, not legal advice. Cities and counties can impose stricter rules, and legislatures amend deposit laws — verify with an official source or attorney before acting on it.