General info, not legal advice. Details

Louisiana Late fees

Last reviewed 2026-10-23

Can a landlord charge a late fee in Louisiana, and how much?

There is no Louisiana statute on late fees in La. Civil Code arts. 2668-2729 (Lease) or La. R.S. 9:3201-3261.1. Reviewed by full-text search. AG guidance (labelled, not law): the Louisiana Attorney General's Moving In / Moving Out guide says late fees can be charged only if provided in the lease and that unreasonably high fees can be contested.

Verified Source: La. C.C. arts. 2668-2729 (Title IX, Lease); La. R.S. 9:3201-3261.1 (full-text search) · last checked 2026-10-23

How this works in Louisiana

No Louisiana statute on late fees appears in the Civil Code lease articles (arts. 2668-2729) or La. R.S. 9:3201-3261.1. The Attorney General's Moving In / Moving Out guide says late fees can be charged only if the lease provides for them and that unreasonably high fees can be contested. That guide is guidance, not law.

Worked example for Louisiana

Say your lease sets a late fee. Because no statute sets a number, the lease term governs. If the lease is silent, the AG guide says you can't charge one. A very high fee could be contested by the tenant, according to the AG.

Louisiana timelines and limits

Statutory capNone in La. C.C. arts. 2668-2729 or R.S. 9:3201-3261.1
AG guidanceOnly if in the lease; unreasonably high fees can be contested

Louisiana FAQ

Does Louisiana cap late fees?

No Louisiana statute on late fees appears in the searched lease laws.

Can I charge a late fee if the lease doesn't mention one?

The AG guide says late fees can be charged only if provided in the lease.

Can a tenant contest a high late fee in Louisiana?

The AG guide (guidance, not law) says unreasonably high fees can be contested.

Sources for this section: La. C.C. arts. 2668-2729 (Title IX, Lease); La. R.S. 9:3201-3261.1 (full-text search) (checked 2026-10-23)

This is general information, not legal advice. The verified rule and official sources above control. Check the source or a local attorney for your situation.

Related Louisiana rules

Late fee grace period

There is no Louisiana statute setting a late-fee grace period or cap in La. Civil Code arts. 2668-2729 (Lease) or La. R.S. 9:3201-3261.1. Reviewed by full-text search.

Verified Source: La. C.C. arts. 2668-2729 (Title IX, Lease); La. R.S. 9:3201-3261.1 (full-text search) · last checked 2026-10-23 · Full Louisiana late fee grace period page

Eviction notice (nonpayment)

When occupancy ends for nonpayment or any other reason, the lessor must deliver a written notice to vacate giving at least 5 days. The lessee may waive this notice in a written lease clause.

Verified Source: La. C.C.P. art. 4701 · last checked 2026-10-23 · Full Louisiana eviction notice (nonpayment) page

Application fees & screening

No state statute limiting rental application fees was found in La. Civil Code arts. 2668-2729 (Lease), La. R.S. 9:3201-3261.1 (lease ancillaries), and La. Code Civ. Proc. arts. 4701-4735 (eviction). Reviewed by full-text search.

Verified Source: La. Civil Code arts. 2668-2729 (Lease), La. R.S. 9:3201-3261.1 (lease ancillaries), and La. Code Civ. Proc. arts. 4701-4735 (eviction), reviewed by full-text search · last checked 2026-10-23 · Full Louisiana application fees & screening page

Same topic in neighboring states

All Louisiana landlord-tenant law · Louisiana landlord FAQ · Security deposit limit · Deposit return deadline · Notice to enter · Required lease disclosures · Required disclosures (mold, lead, radon, bedbug, asbestos, flood zone)

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