Louisiana Lessor Warranty and Duty to Repair (Habitability)

Louisiana does not use the URLTA; the lessor's habitability duty flows from the Civil Code. La. Civ. Code art. 2682 lists the lessor's principal obligations: 'to deliver the thing to the lessee,' 'to maintain the thing in a condition suitable for the purpose for which it was leased,' and 'to protect the lessee's peaceful possession.' Article 2691 adds that 'during the lease, the lessor is bound to make all repairs that become necessary to maintain the thing in a condition suitable for the purpose for which it was leased, except those for which the lessee is responsible.' If the lessor fails to repair after notice, the lessee may, under related lease articles, make the repair and deduct the cost, obtain a rent reduction, or dissolve the lease.

No fixed statutory fine. A lessor who fails to maintain or repair may face a rent reduction, the lessee's repair-and-deduct, or dissolution of the lease, plus damages, under the Civil Code lease articles (arts. 2682, 2691, and following).