New Orleans's Rental Property Rules: The Rules That Matter
Every city handles rental property rules a little differently. In New Orleans, Louisiana, there are 8 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.
Security Deposit Rules
Louisiana Revised Statute 9:3251 governs security deposits for all New Orleans rentals, requiring landlords to return deposits within one month after lease termination minus itemized lawful deductions, regardless of city-level rules.
Key details: Governing law: LA RS 9:3251-3254. Return deadline: 30 days. Penalty floor: $300 or 2x deposit. Court venue: First City Court. Attorney fees: Recoverable by tenant.
Landlord failure to return deposit or itemize deductions within 30 days exposes them to the deposit value plus $300 or double damages, whichever is greater, plus attorney fees.
No-Fault Evictions
Louisiana Civil Code Article 2728 sets short notice periods for ending fixed-term and month-to-month leases without cause, giving New Orleans landlords broader no-fault eviction power than common-law states.
Key details: Civil Code article: Art. 2728. Month-to-month notice: 10 days. Yearly lease notice: 30 days. Court venue: First or Second City Court. Just-cause overlay: None local.
Self-help eviction (lockout, utility shutoff, removal of belongings) without a court Rule for Possession exposes landlords to wrongful eviction damages, restoration orders, and attorney fees under Article 2696.
The rules around no-fault evictions in New Orleans lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.
Tenant Anti-Harassment
New Orleans relies on Louisiana Civil Code Article 2696 (peaceful possession) and general harassment statutes for tenant protection because the city has not enacted a comprehensive tenant anti-harassment ordinance like California cities have.
Key details: Local ordinance: None. Civil Code basis: Art. 2696, 2683. Criminal statute: LA RS 14:40.2. Federal claims: Fair Housing Act. Local advocate: GNO Fair Housing.
Documented landlord harassment (entry without 24-hour notice, threats, utility shutoffs) breaches Civil Code Articles 2683 and 2696, allowing lease cancellation, restoration of services, and compensatory damages plus attorney fees.
If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find New Orleans gives residents more flexibility on tenant anti-harassment.
Section 8 Voucher Acceptance
Louisiana law does not classify Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers as protected income under fair housing rules, and New Orleans has no source-of-income ordinance, so private landlords may legally refuse voucher holders citywide.
Key details: Local protection: None. State protection: None. Voucher administrator: HANO. Federal cover: FHA protected classes only. 2018 reform vote: Failed.
Pretextual voucher refusal that masks racial or disability discrimination violates the federal Fair Housing Act and exposes landlords to HUD complaints, civil penalties, and damages even though source-of-income itself is unprotected.
If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find New Orleans gives residents more flexibility on section 8 voucher acceptance.
Pass-Through Charges
Because Louisiana RS 9:3258 prohibits rent control statewide, New Orleans landlords may pass through Sewerage and Water Board increases, property tax hikes, and insurance premium spikes to tenants mid-lease where the lease so provides.
Key details: Rent control status: Banned statewide. Preemption statute: LA RS 9:3258. Pass-through driver: Lease language. Common pass-throughs: SWB, taxes, insurance. Tenant remedy: Civil Code Art. 2683.
Pass-throughs without lease authorization or beyond actual documented cost increases breach the lease and Civil Code Article 2683, allowing tenant set-off, lease cancellation, and recovery of overcharges plus attorney fees.
New Orleans is more permissive than most cities when it comes to pass-through charges. That said, there are still limits.
Rent Control
New Orleans does not have rent control or rent stabilization laws. Louisiana state law does not authorize local rent control, and no Louisiana municipality has adopted such measures. Landlords may set and increase rents at market rates with proper notice.
Key details: Rent Control: Not in effect — no state or local law. State Law: Louisiana Civil Code governs leases. Increase Limits: None — market rate. Notice Required: Per lease terms or Louisiana Civil Code. Preemption: State does not authorize local rent control.
Not applicable — there are no rent control provisions. Landlords who fail to provide proper notice of changes may face tenant challenges under Louisiana Civil Code.
New Orleans is more permissive than most cities when it comes to rent control. That said, there are still limits.
Just Cause Eviction
New Orleans does not have a just-cause eviction ordinance. Louisiana Civil Code allows landlords to decline to renew leases without stating a reason. Evictions must go through the City Court system. No Louisiana municipality has adopted just-cause eviction protections.
Key details: Just-Cause Required: No. Non-Payment Notice: 5-day notice to vacate. Court Required: Orleans Parish City Court. Self-Help Eviction: Illegal under Louisiana law. State Law: Louisiana Civil Code governs evictions.
Not applicable — there is no just-cause requirement. Landlords who fail to follow proper eviction procedures may face dismissal of eviction actions and liability for damages.
The rules around just cause eviction in New Orleans lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.
Rental Registration
New Orleans requires rental property registration and inspection through the Department of Safety and Permits. Landlords must obtain a rental occupancy license before tenants move in. The city actively enforces rental registration, especially for short-term rental compliance and housing code standards.
Key details: Registration Required: Yes — Dept. of Safety and Permits. Occupancy License: Required before tenants move in. Inspections: Required for initial licensing. Renewal: Annual renewal required. STR Tracking: Registration helps distinguish rental types.
Operating a rental without registration is a code violation subject to fines. The city may issue stop-rent orders for non-compliant properties.
This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. New Orleans actively enforces its rental registration requirements.
The Bottom Line
Compared to many U.S. cities, New Orleans gives residents more room on rental property rules. 6 of the 8 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.
These rules come from New Orleans's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.