Louisiana Security Deposit Demand Letter (La. R.S. 9:3251)

Moved out and still waiting on your deposit? A clear, written demand is usually the first step — and often the last one needed. Answer the questions below and your letter fills itself in as you type.

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[Your full name]
[Your forwarding address]

October 15, 2026

[Landlord or property manager name]

Re: Demand for return of security deposit — [Rental address]

Dear [Landlord or property manager name],

I was a tenant at [Rental address] and moved out on [Move-out date]. At the start of my tenancy I paid a security deposit of [Deposit amount ($)]. So far none of my deposit has been returned, and I have not received an itemized statement of deductions.

Under La. R.S. 9:3251, a landlord must return a residential security deposit within one month after the lease ends, with an itemized statement of any amount kept. This letter is my written demand for a refund, and under La. R.S. 9:3252 a failure to remit within 30 days of a written demand is treated as willful. This letter also provides my forwarding address.

Please send [Deposit amount ($)] to me at the forwarding address above within 14 days of the date of this letter. If you believe you are entitled to keep any part of the deposit, please send a written, itemized statement of each deduction, with copies of receipts or invoices.

If I have not received the deposit or a proper itemized statement by October 29, 2026, I intend to file a claim in small claims court, where I may ask for the portion of the deposit wrongfully kept, plus $300 or twice that amount, whichever is greater, along with court costs and legal fees.

I would prefer to resolve this without going to court, and I am keeping a copy of this letter and proof of mailing for my records.

Sincerely,

[Your full name]

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How security deposits work in Louisiana

Louisiana requires a landlord to return a residential security deposit within one month after the lease ends. The landlord may keep only the part that is reasonably needed to cover a tenant's default, such as unpaid rent, or to repair unreasonable wear to the property. Normal wear from everyday living is not a valid reason to keep money from the deposit.

If the landlord keeps any portion, they must send an itemized statement of the reasons. A 2026 amendment, Act 63, gives landlords up to 15 extra days after the one-month mark to send that statement. The tenant is expected to give the landlord a forwarding address when the lease ends, and these rules do not apply if the tenant abandoned the unit without the required notice or before the lease ended.

Louisiana's penalty is tied to a written demand. If the landlord does not send the refund within 30 days after the tenant's written demand, the failure is treated as willful. The tenant can then recover the amount wrongfully kept plus $300 or twice that amount, whichever is greater, and the court may also award costs and legal fees to the side that wins.

What to do, step by step

Fill in your details
Answer the questions above. Your letter updates live as you type, so you can check every detail before you send it.
Send it in a way you can prove
Mail the letter by certified mail with return receipt and keep the receipt. If your lease lists an email address for notices, send a copy there too.
Wait for a reply
Give your landlord the 14 days stated in the letter.
Gather your evidence
Collect your lease, move-in and move-out photos, any inspection checklist, rent receipts and every message about the deposit.
File in small claims if needed
If the deposit still doesn't come back, you can file in small claims court (Louisiana limit: $5,000). Bring this letter and your proof of mailing.

What if the landlord ignores the letter?

Silence doesn't end the matter. Your letter creates a dated record that you asked for the deposit back and gave a reasonable deadline — exactly what a small claims judge will want to see.

In Louisiana, the rules are set out in Louisiana Revised Statutes §§ 9:3251–9:3254. If a landlord keeps a deposit without following them, a court may award the portion of the deposit wrongfully kept, plus $300 or twice that amount, whichever is greater, along with court costs and legal fees.

Small claims court is designed for people representing themselves: filing fees are modest, forms are short, and hearings are informal. In Louisiana the limit is $5,000, which covers nearly every deposit dispute.

Example Louisiana security deposit demand letter

A filled-in sample with made-up details, so you can see the finished result.

Jordan Rivera
88 Pine Ave, Springfield

October 5, 2026

Oakview Property Management
500 Market St, Suite 200, Springfield

Re: Demand for return of security deposit — 123 Elm St, Apt 4B, Springfield

Dear Oakview Property Management,

I was a tenant at 123 Elm St, Apt 4B, Springfield and moved out on August 31, 2026. At the start of my tenancy I paid a security deposit of $1,800.00. So far you have returned $300.00, leaving $1,500.00 outstanding.

I returned all keys on August 31 and took dated photos of every room, which show the unit clean and undamaged apart from normal wear and tear.

Please send $1,500.00 to me at the forwarding address above within 14 days of the date of this letter. If you believe you are entitled to keep any part of the deposit, please send a written, itemized statement of each deduction, with copies of receipts or invoices.

If I have not received the deposit or a proper itemized statement by October 19, 2026, I intend to file a claim in small claims court, where I may ask for the portion of the deposit wrongfully kept, plus $300 or twice that amount, whichever is greater, along with court costs and legal fees.

I would prefer to resolve this without going to court, and I am keeping a copy of this letter and proof of mailing for my records.

Sincerely,

Jordan Rivera

Frequently asked questions

How long does a Louisiana landlord have to return a deposit?

One month after the lease ends. If part of the deposit is kept, a 2026 change to the law allows the itemized statement explaining the deductions to follow within an additional 15 days. The refund of the balance is still due within the one-month window.

Why does a written demand matter in Louisiana?

Louisiana's penalty depends on it. If the landlord fails to send the refund within 30 days after receiving your written demand, the law treats the failure as willful, which opens the door to extra damages. Keep a copy of this letter and your proof of mailing.

What can I recover if my Louisiana landlord keeps my deposit?

For a willful failure, a court can award the portion wrongfully kept plus $300 or twice that amount, whichever is greater. The court may also, in its discretion, order the losing side to pay court costs and legal fees.

Where can I sue for my deposit in Louisiana?

City courts in many parishes have small claims divisions that hear cases up to $5,000, not counting interest, court costs, legal fees or penalties. You can file in the parish where the landlord lives or the parish where the rental property is located.

Do I have to send a demand letter before going to small claims?

Many courts expect you to have asked for the money first, and a written demand is the simplest proof that you did. It also resolves a large share of disputes on its own.

How should I send the letter?

Use a method that gives you proof of delivery, such as certified mail with return receipt. Keep a copy of the letter and the receipt together.

FairLetter is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Letters are templates you customize and send yourself.