how long eviction takes louisiana depends on a short, fast-moving court process that most renters do not see coming. Louisiana has one of the quickest eviction timelines in the country. In most cases, a landlord can move from a written notice to a sheriff’s lockout in about two to three weeks. However, the exact number of days depends on your parish, your court’s docket, and whether you show up and raise a defense.
If you just got a notice taped to your door, the clock is already running. Understanding how long eviction takes louisiana gives you time to plan, gather rent money, or find help. This guide walks through each stage, with the actual day counts written into state law. Knowing how long eviction takes louisiana also helps you avoid the costly mistake of leaving too early.
The Five-Day Notice to Vacate Starts the Clock
Louisiana law requires a written notice before any eviction lawsuit. Under Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure article 4701, the notice must give you at least five days to move out. The five days are counted from the day after delivery, not the day you receive it.
Here is the part many renters miss. Under Code of Civil Procedure article 5059, legal holidays do not count toward short deadlines like this one. In parishes where Saturday and Sunday are legal holidays, a five-day notice usually stretches to seven calendar days or more. For example, a notice handed to you on a Thursday may not expire until the following Thursday.
There is one big exception that changes how long eviction takes louisiana. Many Louisiana leases contain a written waiver of the notice to vacate. If you signed one, your landlord can skip the five days entirely and file in court immediately. Read your lease and look for the word “waiver.” That single clause can cut a week off your timeline.
How Long Eviction Takes Louisiana at Each Court Stage
After the notice expires, your landlord files a “rule to show cause.” This is the eviction lawsuit. It asks the court to order you to hand over the property. The court sets a hearing date that must be at least three days after you are served, under article 4731.
At the hearing, the judge hears both sides. If the judge rules for the landlord, article 4732 says the judgment of eviction is entered immediately. You then have 24 hours to leave. If you do not, the court issues a warrant of possession directing the sheriff, constable, or marshal to remove you.
| Stage | Legal Deadline | Typical Real-World Time |
|---|---|---|
| Notice to vacate | 5 days minimum (art. 4701) | 5–8 days |
| Filing and service of rule | No fixed limit | 1–4 days |
| Wait before hearing | At least 3 days after service (art. 4731) | 3–10 days |
| Judgment to move-out | 24 hours (art. 4732) | 1 day |
| Sheriff lockout | After warrant issues | 1–7 days |
Added together, how long eviction takes louisiana usually lands between 12 and 25 days from notice to lockout. Busy courts in Orleans, East Baton Rouge, and Caddo parishes sometimes run longer. Rural parishes with fewer hearing dates can be slower too.
What You Can Do to Protect Yourself Right Now
First, do not ignore the court date. If you skip the hearing, article 4732 lets the judge rule against you on the spot. Showing up preserves your right to be heard and is the single most important step.
Second, know that appealing is possible but very tight. Under article 4735, an appeal does not stop the eviction unless you answered the rule under oath, raised an affirmative defense, and filed the appeal and bond within 24 hours of the judgment. That is a hard deadline. As a result, many tenants can only use this route with quick legal help.
Third, get help fast. Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, Acadiana Legal Service Corporation, and Legal Services of North Louisiana all take renter cases at no charge. You can also search LouisianaLawHelp.org for parish-specific guides and forms. Because of how long eviction takes louisiana, calling on day one matters far more than calling on day ten.
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Fourth, keep your deposit in mind. Louisiana has no cap on security deposits. However, Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:3251 requires your landlord to return the deposit or send an itemized statement within one month after the lease ends. If the landlord willfully fails after your written demand, you may be able to recover $300 or twice the amount wrongfully kept, whichever is greater, plus costs and attorney fees.
Finally, document everything. Photograph the notice, save texts, and keep rent receipts. Typically, a tenant who can prove payment or a broken repair duty has real leverage at the hearing. Check with your court clerk or a local legal-aid office about free eviction help desks in your parish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my landlord lock me out or shut off power instead of going to court?
No. Louisiana requires a court judgment and a warrant of possession before removal. However, illegal lockouts still happen, so call legal aid or the sheriff immediately if it does.
Does paying the rent late stop the eviction?
Sometimes. If your landlord accepts the rent after serving notice, that may waive the eviction in many situations. For example, courts have treated acceptance of full rent as reinstating the lease, but you should confirm with a lawyer.
Can anything make how long eviction takes louisiana run longer?
Yes. Crowded dockets, bad service of papers, federally declared disaster protections, and defenses raised at the hearing can all add days. Federally subsidized housing may also require 30-day notices, which extends how long eviction takes louisiana considerably.
Check Your Rights in Your State
Find out exactly what your state’s law says about your situation — deadlines, deposit rules, and what to do next. Use our free tools to get the full picture.
Official Sources & Resources
For verified tenant rights and landlord-tenant law information:
- HUD (Tenant Rights): hud.gov
- LSC (Free Legal Aid): lsc.gov
- Cornell LII (Landlord-Tenant Law): law.cornell.edu
- State Court Self-Help: Check your state court’s self-help portal for official forms and deadlines
- State Legislature Websites: Verify exact statute language on your state legislature’s .gov site
Content last reviewed September 2026. If you notice any outdated information, please contact us.
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Disclaimer. The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Landlord-tenant laws vary by state, county, and city, and may change without notice. The creators assume no liability for accuracy or completeness. Always verify with your state court, a local legal-aid office, or a qualified tenant attorney for advice specific to your situation.