Reference: the security deposit rule in each state and covered city. To settle a deposit, use the free Deposit settlement tool.

Reference

Security deposit rules in Louisiana

Louisiana: return the deposit within 1 month of the end of the tenancy. Interest: no. Penalty if the violation is willful or intentional: the greater of $300.00 and 2x the amount withheld on top of the refund. (La. R.S. 9:3251-3254)

The rule in plain words

Return by: 1 month after the end of the tenancy.
Deductions allowed: unpaid rent, other lease obligations, damage beyond wear. Normal wear and tear never. Depreciation: none.
Interest: No.
Penalty: the greater of $300.00 and 2x the amount withheld on top of the refund if the violation is willful or intentional.

The rule text

Any advance or deposit of money furnished by a tenant or lessee to a landlord or lessor to secure the performance of any part of a written or oral lease or rental agreement shall be returned to the tenant or lessee of residential or dwelling premises within one month after the lease shall terminate.

La. R.S. 9:3251(A). Source: La. R.S. 9:3251 Lessee's deposit, read 2026-10-09.

Notes on this rule (2)

Trap: the return deadline is 'one month', not 30 days, and the statement and the refund now have different clocks.
No deposit cap.

Research notes (2)

How we sourced this rule: where the text was read and what we could not check.

The penalty has a $300 floor even on small withholdings: the engine should compute max(300, 2 x withheld) plus the withheld amount.
The Act 63 effective date (2026-08-01) comes from search-result summaries and ezel.ai; the act text was not fetched. The section history on legis.la.gov does list 'Acts 2026, No. 63, s.1'.

Worked example

A $2,000.00 deposit; the tenant moved in on June 1, 2023 and out on September 30, 2026. Intended deductions: $300.00 unpaid rent, $150.00 cleaning and a $1,200.00 carpet that was 5 years old.

Return by: October 30, 2026
1 month after the end of the tenancy.
Allowed deductions: $1,500.00
Of $1,650.00 claimed.
Refund due: $500.00
Interest $0.00.

The draft statement for this example

DRAFT ITEMIZED STATEMENT OF SECURITY DEPOSIT
Rule: La. R.S. 9:3251-3254 (Louisiana)
Move-out date: September 30, 2026

Security deposit held                            $2,000.00
Deduction: Unpaid rent                            -$300.00
Deduction: Carpet                               -$1,200.00
Total deductions                                -$1,500.00
Refund due to tenant                               $500.00
Return by                                   October 30, 2026

Notes:
- Itemized under La. R.S. 9:3251-3254.

Settle a deposit in Louisiana

required

Where and how much

The state sets the rules; a covered city adds its own.

StateCityAdds the city's ordinance where we cover one.Deposit heldMonthly rentChecks the deposit cap.Units in the buildingInterest depends on it in IL, NY.

Dates

The dates start the clock.

Tenant moved outTenancy startedFor interest and item ages.Lease endedIf not the move-out day.Forwarding address receivedStarts or holds the clock in CT, IA, MN, RI, SD, TX, WY.Tenant's written demand receivedStarts the clock in AZ, KS, MD, MS, OK, SC, UT.New tenant moved inCan start the clock in WI, WV.Notice of claim sentFlorida: the day you sent the notice of your claimReturn period in the lease (days)The lease may set it in CO, ID, ME.

The tenant gave the notice the statute requiresChanges the deadline in AK.Repairs exceed the deposit and need a contractorCan extend the deadline in VA, WV.

Check as of another date

Check as ofDefaults to today. Use it to see where a past or future date stands.

Deductions

What you intend to keep; leave it empty to return everything. An item's age depreciates carpet, paint, blinds and appliances.

Deduction 1

CategoryAmountItem age or install dateNormal wear and tearOrdinary aging: never deductible.

Up to 9 lines.

Documentation

Some states require receipts or dated photos before a deduction stands.

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Computes and cites the published rule; it is not legal advice. You sign the statement: check the statute, your lease and any local ordinance first. Read the disclaimer.

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