Most Commonly Used Louisiana Lease Agreements
The most commonly used Louisiana lease agreements include a standard residential lease agreement (which usually lasts for 12 months), a month-to-month lease agreement, a roommate agreement, a sublease agreement, and a commercial lease agreement. All rental agreements must comply with state law. The Louisiana Attorney General provides a useful guide to the state’s landlord-tenant laws.
Although the most commonly used Louisiana lease agreements use many of the same provisions, they also have their own distinct features. Here are a couple of examples.
- A roommate agreement is a type of standard residential lease agreement. In fact, it contains the same clauses as a standard lease agreement. It is different because it also explains how certain areas of the rental are for the exclusive use of the roommate and how other areas are communal and may be used by any of the occupants.
- A standard residential lease agreement is usually for one year. When that year terminates, it may convert to a month-to-month agreement or renew for another year. Yet, a standard residential lease agreement that is one year in length may be similar to a month-to-month lease in many ways. For example, they both may require a 30-day written notice to move out at the end of the lease if the tenant or the landlord do not plan to renew their agreement.
How to Write a Louisiana Lease Agreement
Louisiana lease agreements must follow Louisiana’s landlord-tenant laws. Failure to do so renders them unenforceable. There are other laws that must also be considered. You’ll learn more about some of those under the sections related to disclosures and security deposits.
Before you sign a Louisiana lease agreement, make sure that you understand the terms. Read the agreement carefully or have it reviewed by an attorney.
A Louisiana lease agreement must include the following information:
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Names of the Parties - This includes the landlord's full name or the property management company's legal business name and the full name of the tenant(s).
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Property Address - This is the full physical address for the rental property, including the city, zip code, and, if applicable, the unit or lot number.
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Term Information - This is the type of lease agreement the parties agree to enter into. For example, a month-to-month lease or a fixed term. A fixed-term lease means that the parties agree that the tenant will hold possession of the space for a certain amount of time, usually one year. If it is a fixed lease, this section should include the date that the lease will end.
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Rental Amount - This provision of the lease includes the date that the lease will begin, the amount of the monthly rent, the day of the month that rent is due, and the address where the rent may be paid.
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Late Fee - This is the fee that is due if the rent is not paid by a certain date.
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Security Deposit - This is the amount of money that must be paid in advance of the tenant taking control of the property. A security deposit is used to repair damages caused by the tenant.
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Initial Payment - This is the total amount of money that the tenant must pay to move into the space. This should include the amount of the first month's rent, the security deposit, and the total of the two numbers added together.
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Occupants - The full name of each tenant must be listed even if they are a minor or are not signing the lease for some reason. This part of a Louisiana residential lease agreement establishes who will reside in the residential unit. For commercial space leases, it designates those who have permission to use the space. If the presence of additional occupants changes the price of the rent, it should be included in this section.
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Utilities - This provision explains which utilities or services a tenant does not pay.
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Parking - This provision informs the tenant if they will receive a parking space. If a parking space is reserved and there is a designated spot, the spot should be listed in this section.
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Furnishings - This provision explains to tenants what they are allowed to install (such as a washing machine or dishwasher) or what they may not install. If the tenant is not allowed to bring their own appliances, that should be designated in this section.
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Notices - This provision lists the names of both the landlord or property manager and tenant and their respective mailing addresses. This contact information should be used if the parties need to send out a notice to the other party for some reason.
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Eviction - This provision explains to the tenant how eviction proceedings would be carried out in the event of nonpayment or a breach of other lease terms.
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Additional Terms - This provision lists any other terms that the parties agreed to that haven't been included in any other section of the lease agreement.
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Signature and Date - The document should be signed and dated by all parties.
Which Disclosures Belong in a Louisiana Lease Agreement?
The only disclosure required for a Louisiana lease agreement is a lead-paint disclosure. This disclosure is only required if the structure was built before 1978.
What You Need to Know About a Louisiana Lease Agreement Deposits
There is no state maximum on the amount of security deposit that can be requested in a Louisiana lease agreement. However, the landlord only has one month after the end of the tenancy to return the security deposit or an itemized statement for any proceeds that were retained.
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