La. R.S. 9:3251: Louisiana security deposit rules in plain English
What La. R.S. 9:3251 says about Louisiana security deposits: the cap, the deadline to return the deposit, itemized deductions and interest. Every fact below comes from our statute-checked data. Last verified 2026-10-22.
Quick answer
- Return deadline
- 1 month
- Louisiana's deadline to return the deposit is one month after the lease ends. If the landlord keeps any part, the itemized statement may come up to 15 days after that one-month date (R.S. 9:3251(A), as amended by Act 63 of 2026). Both go to the forwarding address you must provide.
- These rules don't apply if you abandon the unit without the notice the lease requires.
- Maximum deposit
- No statutory cap. The landlord may keep only what is reasonably necessary to remedy the tenant's default or unreasonable wear to the premises (R.S. 9:3251(A)).
- Itemized list
- Yes, an itemized list of deductions is required
- Interest
- No interest required
What La. R.S. 9:3251 says, as we verified it
Deposit limit
No statutory cap. The landlord may keep only what is reasonably necessary to remedy the tenant's default or unreasonable wear to the premises (R.S. 9:3251(A)).
Full citation: La. R.S. 9:3251, 9:3252, 9:3254 Read the official text
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FAQ: La. R.S. 9:3251
How long does a landlord have to return a deposit under La. R.S. 9:3251?
Under La. R.S. 9:3251, a Louisiana landlord has 1 month to return the security deposit or send an itemized list of deductions. Louisiana's deadline to return the deposit is one month after the lease ends. If the landlord keeps any part, the itemized statement may come up to 15 days after that one-month date (R.S. 9:3251(A), as amended by Act 63 of 2026). Both go to the forwarding address you must provide. These rules don't apply if you abandon the unit without the notice the lease requires.
Is there a limit on the security deposit in Louisiana?
No statutory cap. The landlord may keep only what is reasonably necessary to remedy the tenant's default or unreasonable wear to the premises (R.S. 9:3251(A)).
Does Louisiana require an itemized list of deductions?
Yes, an itemized list of deductions is required. Citation: La. R.S. 9:3251, 9:3252, 9:3254.
Does the landlord have to pay interest on the deposit in Louisiana?
No interest required.
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Scan my Louisiana leaseGeneral information only, not legal advice. Last verified 2026-10-22. Laws change; verify with the linked source or a licensed attorney.