Eviction Process in Louisiana: A 2026 Landlord's Guide
5-day notice to vacate. File rule for possession. Court hearing within days. Fast process. Louisiana uses French civil law tradition. Process can be very fast.
Required notice types in Louisiana
| Type | Notice Period | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Nonpayment | 5 days | Tenant failed to pay rent. Tenant may cure by paying the full amount owed before the deadline in most states. |
| Lease violation (curable) | 5 days | Tenant is violating lease terms (unauthorized pets, unauthorized occupants, noise, etc.) and has the option to correct the violation. |
The eviction process, step by step
Step 1 — Serve a 5-day Notice to Vacate. Louisiana law requires you to give the tenant written notice and 5 days to either pay what's owed or vacate. Serve in the manner permitted by La. C.C.P. Art. 4701.
Step 2 — File a Rule for Possession complaint. If the tenant doesn't pay or move out by the deadline, file in the appropriate court (typically justice, district, or small claims depending on county).
Step 3 — Court hearing. The court sets a hearing, typically within 2-6 weeks. Bring the lease, payment ledger, copy of the notice, and proof of service.
Step 4 — Judgment and writ of possession. If you win, the court issues a judgment. After the tenant's appeal window closes, the sheriff or constable executes the writ and restores possession.
How long does an eviction take in Louisiana?
Uncontested cases in Louisiana typically move through the courts in about 40 days from notice to sheriff's lockout. Contested cases, tenant bankruptcy filings, and local court backlogs can extend this significantly. The minimum realistic timeline (everything uncontested, no appeals) is roughly 20 days.
Need to send a Notice to Vacate right now?
LandlordPro drafts a Louisiana notice in about 2 minutes using the notice period and service language on file for Louisiana, with a digital audit trail. Check the current statute or a local attorney before you serve it.
Start free — no credit cardKey statute for Louisiana
Notice for unpaid rent
Authority: La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4701
The notice shall allow the lessee not less than five days from the date of its delivery to vacate the leased premises.
What this means: Louisiana requires a 5-day notice before you can file for eviction over unpaid rent.
Read from the statute text (verified 2026-09-22)
Notice for other lease violations
Authority: La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4701
When a lessee's right of occupancy has ceased because of the termination of the lease by expiration of its term, action by the lessor, nonpayment of rent, or for any other reason
What this means: Louisiana requires a 5-day notice before you can file for eviction over a lease violation other than unpaid rent.
Read from the statute text (verified 2026-09-22)
Ending a month-to-month tenancy
Authority: La. Civ. Code art. 2728(2)
(2) In a month-to-month lease, ten calendar days before the end of that month;
What this means: Louisiana requires 10 days' notice to end a month-to-month tenancy.
Read from the statute text (verified 2026-09-22)
Frequently asked questions
How many days' notice do I need to give before evicting for nonpayment in Louisiana?
Louisiana law requires a 5-day notice for nonpayment of rent. The tenant typically has those 5 days to either pay the full amount owed or vacate before you can file in court. See La. C.C.P. Art. 4701.
How long does an eviction take in Louisiana?
An uncontested eviction in Louisiana typically takes about 40 days from notice to sheriff's lockout. Contested cases, tenant bankruptcy, or court backlogs can add weeks or months.
Can I evict a tenant at the end of their lease in Louisiana without cause?
Louisiana generally allows landlords to end a tenancy at the close of a fixed-term lease or with proper notice to a month-to-month tenant, without needing to show fault. Local ordinances may add requirements — confirm with an attorney if you're in a large city.
Can I change the locks or shut off utilities to force a Louisiana tenant out?
No. Self-help evictions — changing locks, removing belongings, shutting off utilities — are illegal in Louisiana and every other US state. Only a court order and a sheriff or constable can legally remove a tenant. Self-help exposes you to damages and statutory penalties.
What happens if my Louisiana tenant files for bankruptcy during eviction?
A bankruptcy filing triggers an automatic stay that halts the eviction, even if you have a judgment. You'll generally need to file a motion for relief from the automatic stay in bankruptcy court before resuming. Bankruptcies add weeks or months — factor this into your risk assessment.
Handling evictions in Louisiana with LandlordPro
LandlordPro is built to keep you on the right side of Louisiana's procedural rules. The notice wizard asks a few questions, drafts a notice using the number of days and language on file for this state; verify it against the current statute before serving, and logs proof of service. If the case proceeds to court, LandlordPro's eviction timeline tracks every deadline and its tenant records bundle feature assembles an attorney-review-ready PDF with a plain-English AI records summary of the case — a tool no other landlord software offers.
Create your first Louisiana notice →
Raising the rent: Louisiana requires 10 days' notice before a rent increase (via the month-to-month notice rule). Louisiana rent increase laws →
Late rent: Louisiana caps late fees at the greater of $25 or 5% and requires a 10-day grace period. Louisiana late fee laws →
Related: Louisiana security deposit law — limits & return deadlines · What an eviction costs in every state
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Choosing landlord software
Still deciding which software to run your Louisiana rentals on? These are side-by-side breakdowns written by a landlord who self-manages 13 units — pricing, what each tool does well, and where it falls short for small portfolios.
Questions from Louisiana landlords
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