Facing Eviction in Louisiana: What Can I Do?
You got a notice to move out, or your landlord has already started an eviction case against you in Louisiana. This page explains the notice your landlord must give, how the eviction case moves through court, and what happens if you do not leave. Louisiana law calls your landlord the lessor and you the lessee, but this page uses landlord and renter.
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Your landlord must send you a written notice to move out before starting an eviction case against you. The notice rule applies whether your landlord is evicting you for unpaid rent, the end of your lease, or any other reason. You must get at least 5 days from the day you receive that notice to move out. If you do not move out in time, your landlord can then file the eviction case in court.
Louisiana State Legislature La. C.C.P. art. 4701 Louisiana State Legislature La. C.C.P. art. 4731(A)✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
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If your lease has no set end date, the notice Louisiana law requires to end it also counts as your notice to move out. If your lease has a set end date, your landlord may send that notice up to 30 days before the end date.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
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Your lease can include a written statement giving up your right to the notice to move out. If it does, and your right to stay has ended for any reason, your landlord may start the case right away. Your landlord does not have to send the notice to move out first in that case.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
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If you do not move out after the notice ends, or you gave up your right to notice, your landlord can go to court. The court can order you to appear and explain why you should not have to leave. Louisiana calls this filing a rule to show cause, and it must state why your landlord wants to evict you.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
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The court must set your hearing for no earlier than 3 days after you are served with your landlord's court papers. At that hearing, the judge listens to any defense you raise before deciding your landlord's case.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
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If the judge decides your landlord should get the home back, the judge orders you to move out. The judge also orders this if you do not answer or do not show up at the hearing. This order is called a judgment (the court's final decision in your case). The judgment stays in effect for at least 90 days after the judge signs it.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
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If you do not move out within 24 hours after the judge's eviction order, the court must send out a warrant right away. The warrant tells the sheriff or another court officer to give the home back to your landlord.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
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To remove you from the home, the sheriff, constable, or marshal clears your things out of the home in front of 2 witnesses. If a door or gate is locked, the officer can break it open to get inside.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
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You may appeal a judgment (the court's final decision in your case) that orders you to move out. On its own, an appeal does not stop your landlord from removing you while the court decides your appeal.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
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Your move-out date can be put on hold during an appeal only if you meet two rules. First, your answer to the case must give, under oath, a reason that lets you keep your home. Second, you must ask for the appeal and pay the appeal bond within 24 hours. The 24 hours start at the judgment (the court's decision that you must move out).
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
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