How many days does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Louisiana?

Louisiana law gives landlords 30 days to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions, under La. R.S. 9:3251(A) (deadline/itemization, as amended by Acts 2026, No. 63); 9:3252(A) (penalty); 9:3253 (fees); 9:3254 (waiver void).

What can a landlord deduct from a security deposit in Louisiana?

Under La. R.S. 9:3251(A) (deadline/itemization, as amended by Acts 2026, No. 63); 9:3252(A) (penalty); 9:3253 (fees); 9:3254 (waiver void), allowed deductions generally include amounts reasonably necessary to remedy a default of the tenant and amounts reasonably necessary to remedy unreasonable wear to the premises. Normal wear and tear is not deductible.

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Louisiana security deposit law

Security Deposit Laws in Louisiana

Your landlord has 30 days under Louisiana law to return your security deposit, or you may be owed more than what they withheld. If they keep more than they're legally allowed, you can dispute it.

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When did you move out?

This is the one that matters. Your clock starts the day you handed back the keys — not the day your landlord replies.

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Louisiana security deposit return timeline

Deadline to return

30 days

Statute

La. R.S. 9:3251(A) (deadline/itemization, as amended by Acts 2026, No. 63); 9:3252(A) (penalty); 9:3253 (fees); 9:3254 (waiver void)

The deposit must be returned within ONE MONTH after the lease terminates. If any portion is retained, the landlord must forward an itemized statement accounting for the retained proceeds and reasons — as amended by Acts 2026, No. 63 (effective 08/01/2026), the itemized statement may arrive within one month after termination OR within fifteen days after the date that is one month after termination (up to ~45 days), while the RETURN obligation itself remains one month. The tenant SHALL furnish the lessor a forwarding address at the termination of the lease. IMPORTANT: these rights do not apply at all when the tenant abandons the premises without required notice or before the lease terminates (R.S. 9:3251(C)). A WRITTEN DEMAND matters: failure to remit within 30 days after written demand for a refund constitutes willful failure under the penalty provision — always send the demand. Any lease waiver of these rights is null and void (9:3254). No statutory deposit cap and no interest requirement exist — assert neither.

What can a landlord legally deduct in Louisiana?

Allowed

✓Amounts reasonably necessary to remedy a default of the tenant
✓Amounts reasonably necessary to remedy unreasonable wear to the premises

Not allowed

✗Ordinary or reasonable wear — only "unreasonable wear" may be charged
✗Anything outside the two categories above must be returned

What if your landlord keeps your deposit wrongfully in Louisiana?

Willful failure to comply gives the tenant the right to recover any portion wrongfully retained PLUS three hundred dollars or TWICE the amount wrongfully retained, whichever is greater (9:3252(A)). Failure to remit within thirty days after written demand for a refund constitutes willful failure. The court may award costs and attorney fees to the prevailing party (9:3253).

How TenantNex helps

1. Tell us your move-out date, deposit amount, and landlord's address — two minutes.
2. We generate a demand letter citing La. R.S. 9:3251(A) (deadline/itemization, as amended by Acts 2026, No. 63); 9:3252(A) (penalty); 9:3253 (fees); 9:3254 (waiver void) and your exact deadline.
3. We mail it to your landlord via USPS Certified Mail with return receipt.
4. You track delivery on your case page, with day-7 and day-14 follow-up.

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Louisiana tenant rights resources

HUD — tenant rights and resources
Find your state's consumer protection / Attorney General office
Key statute: La. R.S. 9:3251(A) (deadline/itemization, as amended by Acts 2026, No. 63); 9:3252(A) (penalty); 9:3253 (fees); 9:3254 (waiver void) — verified against the official text on 2026-09-07.

Every fact on this page is verified against Louisiana's official statutory text as of 2026-09-07. TenantNex is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. For complex disputes, consult a licensed attorney in Louisiana.

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Your money is due back

30 days

Louisiana law sets this deadline — your landlord must return your deposit or itemize deductions by then.

If they wrongfully withhold

up to 2× your deposit

Add your deposit amount above for the exact figure.

La. R.S. 9:3251(A) (deadline/itemization, as amended by Acts 2026, No. 63); 9:3252(A) (penalty); 9:3253 (fees); 9:3254 (waiver void) — verified against the official statute 2026-09-07

Your 30 days started the day you moved out — that clock is running right now whether or not your landlord acts, and the 2× penalty only exists if you demanded it in writing before it closed.

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We don't stop at mailing it. If your landlord doesn't respond, we follow up at day 7 and day 14 — and help you build the evidence and paperwork for small claims if it comes to that. Real result: we helped Kathleen A. (Ohio) recover her full $3,000 deposit this way.

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Option	Price	Effort	Follow-up
Do it yourself	—	All of it	You chase
TenantNex	$39	Done for you	We chase
Small-claims services	$149–448	—	—
Hire an attorney	$300–2,000+	—	—

An attorney starts at $300. Filing services charge $149 for the letter alone. We prepare the whole claim for $39.

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We run your claim until you are paid — or you are ready to file.

Step 1 — certified demand letter citing your state statute, deadline and penalty
Mailed USPS Certified with return receipt, tracked to your landlord’s door
Step 2 — day-14 notice of intent to file, the one most landlords act on
Step 3 — your small-claims packet: the right form for your county, filled in
Where to file, what it costs, and how to serve your landlord
Evidence checklist, with your certified receipt as Exhibit A
Counter-response letter if your landlord disputes or underpays
Attorney referral if it is still unresolved after 21 days

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TenantNex is not a law firm. We prepare and send correspondence using publicly available state statutes. We do not provide legal advice, legal representation, or guarantee any outcome. For complex legal matters, consult a licensed attorney in your state.