Louisiana Eviction Notice Overview
Louisiana operates under a civil law system (based on French law) rather than common law, making its eviction process unique among U.S. states. There is no 14-day notice period. Under Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Article 4701, a landlord must give a tenant 5 days’ written notice to vacate before filing an eviction suit. Louisiana does not have a URLTA or a mandatory cure period—the 5-day notice is simply a demand to vacate.
Louisiana’s eviction process (called "eviction by rule") is filed in the City Court, Parish Court, or Justice of the Peace Court depending on the parish and property value. Orleans Parish (New Orleans), East Baton Rouge Parish, Jefferson Parish, and Caddo Parish (Shreveport) handle the highest volumes. The Louisiana Civil Code (Articles 2668–2729) governs lease obligations. Louisiana’s French civil law heritage means eviction procedures differ significantly from other states.
5 Days
Statutory minimum
$75–$200
City/Parish Court filing
Written
Notice required
2–5 Wks
Total process
Louisiana’s 5-Day Notice Under Civil Law
Under La. C.C.P. Art. 4701, before filing an eviction suit, the landlord must give the tenant 5 days’ written notice to vacate. This is not a cure notice—it is simply a demand to leave. Louisiana’s civil law framework does not include a statutory cure period for lease violations. However, the lease may contain a contractual cure provision that the landlord must honor. If the tenant does not vacate within 5 days, the landlord files an eviction by rule.
Louisiana Notice Periods
5-day notice to vacate: Required before filing eviction suit (La. C.C.P. Art. 4701)
No statutory cure period: Louisiana does not mandate an opportunity to fix violations
Lease terms govern: Any cure period is contractual, not statutory
10-day notice: Required for Section 8 and federally subsidized housing
30-day termination: Month-to-month without cause under Louisiana Civil Code
Common Violations Addressed by This Notice in Louisiana
- Any breach of the lease agreement may trigger eviction proceedings
- Unauthorized pets, occupants, or subletting
- Property damage, noise complaints, or nuisance behavior
- Non-payment of rent (same 5-day notice applies)
- Holdover after lease expiration
- Illegal activity on the premises
Louisiana Legal Requirements
Louisiana courts require strict compliance with notice requirements. A deficient notice will result in dismissal of the eviction case, wasting time and filing fees. Here are the mandatory elements:
- Written Format: Louisiana requires the notice to vacate in writing under C.C.P. Art. 4701
- 5-Day Period: Demand that the tenant vacate within 5 days. Include the specific date
- Grounds for Eviction: State the reason for the eviction (lease violation, non-payment, etc.)
- Property Address: Include the full address of the rental property
- Landlord Signature: Sign and date the notice
Serving the Notice in Louisiana
Proper service is critical in Louisiana. The method of delivery determines when the notice period starts running and must be documented for court proceedings.
Personal Delivery
Hand the notice directly to the tenant. Under Louisiana law, the 5-day period begins the day after delivery.
Certified Mail
Send via certified mail with return receipt. Louisiana courts accept this as valid notice.
Posting on Door
If the tenant cannot be located, post on the main entrance. This should be combined with mailing for stronger evidence.
Louisiana Eviction Timeline
The complete eviction process in Louisiana, from notice to physical removal, follows this general timeline for uncontested cases:
Louisiana Eviction Fees & Costs
Below are the typical costs associated with the eviction process in Louisiana. Fees may vary by county or court location.
| Cost Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| City/Parish Court Filing Fee | $75 – $200 |
| Sheriff Service of Process | $25 – $50 |
| Constable Service (JP Court) | $15 – $35 |
| Sheriff Eviction Execution | $50 – $150 |
| Attorney Fees (if retained) | $400 – $1,500 |
Sample Louisiana Eviction Notice
Below is a preview of a Louisiana-compliant eviction notice. The generated document includes all elements required under LA law.
5-DAY NOTICE TO VACATE
STATE OF LOUISIANA
Pursuant to La. C.C.P. Art. 4701
TO (TENANT):
Name: [Tenant Full Legal Name]
Address: [Louisiana Property Address]
VIOLATION / GROUNDS:
[Detailed description of violation with dates]
DEMAND
You are hereby notified to vacate the above-described premises within five (5) days of delivery of this notice. Your failure to vacate will result in the filing of an eviction by rule in the appropriate court seeking your removal from the premises.