Eviction notice rules in Louisiana
Nonpayment notice
5-day notice to vacate for nonpayment — the same single statutory notice covers every cause (La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4701). The notice must give the lessee not less than 5 days from delivery to vacate.
Lease-violation notice
Same 5-day notice to vacate for lease violations — Louisiana law does NOT require the landlord to give the tenant any chance to cure before proceeding (art. 4701).
Unconditional quit (no second chance)
No statutory cure right at all. Worse: a written waiver contained in the lease lets the landlord SKIP the 5-day notice entirely and file eviction proceedings immediately upon termination of the right of occupancy (art. 4701). Most Louisiana leases contain this waiver.
No-cause / end-of-tenancy notice
Month-to-month (no fixed term): 10 CALENDAR days' notice (La. Civ. Code art. 2728) — one of the shortest in the nation. Fixed-term leases: notice to vacate may be given up to 30 days before expiration (art. 4701).
How the notice must be served
The lessor 'shall cause written notice to vacate the premises to be delivered to the lessee' (art. 4701) — exact acceptable delivery methods unverified, needs attorney review. Defective notice is the most common reason Louisiana evictions get dismissed.
Your right to fix it (cure)
None by statute — no right to cure nonpayment, violations, or anything else. Paying late does not legally stop the eviction unless the landlord agrees.
How days are counted
Unverified — needs attorney review (no verified rule found on weekend/holiday counting for LA's 5-day notice).
After the notice expires
Landlord must file eviction lawsuit; tenant need not leave until court order
Court timeline
Rule for possession filed (art. 4731); the rule is returnable no earlier than the 3rd day after service, when the court tries it and hears defenses (art. 4732). If the tenant loses and does not leave within 24 hours, the court issues a warrant for possession executed by the sheriff, constable, or marshal. This is among the fastest eviction tracks in the country — days to a couple of weeks.
Retaliation & defenses
Louisiana has NO broad statutory anti-retaliation provision for residential tenants (<em>reported — confirm with a licensed attorney</em>). Domestic-abuse victims have specific lease protections (La. R.S. 9:3261.1). Federal Fair Housing Act discrimination defense applies. Self-help eviction is unlawful.
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