Louisiana security deposit law

What your landlord is legally required to do after you move out, how long they have, and what it costs them if they get it wrong.

The deadline

Under La. Rev. Stat. § 9:3251, a landlord in Louisiana must return your security deposit — together with any required written itemization of deductions — within 30 days. Once that window closes without payment or a proper itemization, the landlord is in violation of the statute.

Failure to remit within 30 days of a written demand independently constitutes willful failure.

What it costs your landlord

Under La. Rev. Stat. § 9:3252, a landlord who wrongfully withholds a deposit in Louisiana may be liable for $300 or twice the amount wrongfully retained, whichever is greater, plus attorney's fees and court costs. That exposure is the reason a formal demand letter works: it is usually cheaper for a landlord to pay you than to argue about it.

What your landlord may deduct in Louisiana

Unpaid rent and the cost of restoring the premises — but only for damage beyond unreasonable wear.

La. Rev. Stat. § 9:3251

Ordinary wear and tear

Louisiana uses its own formulation: the landlord may charge for damage caused by “unreasonable wear,” which places the ordinary kind outside the deduction.

“unreasonable wear”

What a compliant itemization has to contain

An itemized statement accounting for the proceeds retained and giving the reasons, within one month of termination.

Read it yourself: La. Rev. Stat. § 9:3251

How to get your deposit back in Louisiana

1. 1. Confirm the deadline has passed. Count from the day you moved out and returned possession. In Louisiana that's 30 days.
2. 2. Put your forwarding address in writing. In several states a landlord has no obligation until they have it, and having sent it protects your claim.
3. 3. Gather your evidence. The lease, proof you paid the deposit, move-in and move-out photos, and any itemization they sent.
4. 4. Send a written demand by certified mail. Cite La. Rev. Stat. § 9:3251, state the amount owed, and give a deadline to pay. Certified mail creates the delivery record a judge will want to see.
5. 5. File in small claims if they ignore you. You don't need a lawyer. File in the county where the property is located.

Common questions

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

Under La. Rev. Stat. § 9:3251, a Louisiana landlord has 30 days to return the deposit and provide any required written itemization of deductions.

What is the penalty if my landlord keeps my deposit in Louisiana?

Under La. Rev. Stat. § 9:3252, a landlord who wrongfully withholds may be liable for $300 or twice the amount wrongfully retained, whichever is greater, plus attorney's fees and court costs.

Do I have to sue to get my security deposit back?

Often not. A formal written demand sent by certified mail puts your landlord on notice of the statute, the deadline they missed and the penalty attached to it — and gives you a dated record that they received it. Small claims court is the fallback if they ignore it.