Louisiana Repairs & Tenant Remedies
Louisiana rules on repairs & habitability for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-23.
Short answer: Allowed. If the landlord fails to make necessary repairs within a reasonable time after the tenant's demand, the tenant may have them made. La. C.C. art. 2694 (with arts. 2682, 2691)
The rules in Louisiana
| Repair and deduct | Allowed. If the landlord fails to make necessary repairs within a reasonable time after the tenant's demand, the tenant may have them made. The tenant can then demand immediate reimbursement or deduct the cost from rent, to the extent the repair was necessary and the cost reasonable. The landlord must make all repairs that become necessary to keep the premises suitable for their purpose, except repairs the tenant owes (C.C. art. 2691: https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=109753). The statute sets no dollar cap. Make the demand in writing and keep receipts (AG guide). |
|---|---|
| Withholding rent | No statutory rent-withholding/escrow procedure; the codified remedy is repair-and-deduct (C.C. art. 2694) No statute was found that lets a tenant withhold rent outright. Under C.C. art. 2704 (https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=109768), unpaid rent lets the landlord dissolve the lease. The AG guide says a tenant facing serious ignored problems may end the lease, but warns this needs substantial proof and legal advice. Verify with legal aid before withholding. |
| Landlord retaliation | No statewide statute identified. In New Orleans, the city's Healthy Homes ordinance protects tenants who use its complaint process ('protected activity'). No anti-retaliation provision was found in the Civil Code lease title, R.S. 9:3251-3259, or C.C.P. Title XI. Secondary sources (Loyola Pro Bono Desk Manual) say Louisiana has no statutory ban and that courts may treat retaliation as an abuse-of-rights defense. They also report New Orleans City Code secs. 26-680/26-681 (eff. July 1, 2023) with a 6-month presumption. |
Related questions
Louisiana vs. neighboring states
| State | Repair and deduct | Withholding rent | Landlord retaliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | Allowed. If the landlord fails to make necessary repairs within a reasonable time after the tenant's demand, the tenant may have them made. The tenant can then demand immediate reimbursement or deduct the cost from rent, to the extent the repair was necessary and the cost reasonable. La. C.C. art. 2694 (with arts. 2682, 2691) | No statutory rent-withholding/escrow procedure; the codified remedy is repair-and-deduct (C.C. art. 2694) La. C.C. art. 2694; La. C.C. art. 2704 | No statewide statute identified. In New Orleans, the city's Healthy Homes ordinance protects tenants who use its complaint process ('protected activity'). New Orleans Healthy Homes Ordinance (City Code ch. 26) |
| Arkansas | Not available. For leases entered into or renewed after November 1, 2021, the implied minimum standards are: hot and cold running water, electricity, potable drinking water, code-conforming sewer and plumbing, a functioning roof and building envelope, and existing heat and air conditioning. If the tenant is current on rent and gives written notice, and the landlord does not remedy the problem within 30 calendar days, the tenant's sole remedy is to terminate the lease without penalty and receive the recoverable deposit. Ark. Code Ann. § 18-17-502 (added by Act 1052 of 2021) | Not allowed. A tenant may not offset or withhold rent for any alleged or actual violation of the implied quality standards. In an unlawful detainer, a tenant who stays in possession must deposit rent into the court registry. Ark. Code Ann. §§ 18-17-502(d)(3), 18-60-307(c) | No statute — Arkansas has no landlord anti-retaliation statute. The Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (Ch. 17) and the deposit subchapter contain no retaliation provision or presumption period. Ark. Code Ann. Title 18, Ch. 17 (§§ 18-17-101 et seq.); §§ 18-16-301 to -306 |
| Mississippi | Allowed. If the landlord has not repaired a specific, material defect within 30 days after the tenant's written notice, the tenant may make the repair and is owed reimbursement within 45 days after giving the landlord receipted bills. Conditions: the tenant has met their own duties under § 89-8-25, the cost is no more than one month's rent, the tenant has not used this remedy in the previous 6 months, and the tenant is current on rent. Reimbursement is limited to the usual and customary charge for the repair, and the cost may be offset against future rent. Miss. Code Ann. § 89-8-15 | No statute authorizes rent withholding. The only statutory self-help remedy is repair-and-deduct under § 89-8-15, where the repair cost may be offset against future rent. A tenant may also end the tenancy for the landlord's material noncompliance after a 14-day notice (§ 89-8-13(2)–(3)). Miss. Code Ann. §§ 89-8-13, 89-8-15 | Very limited. There is no general anti-retaliation statute and no presumption period. The only reference is in § 89-8-17(2): after a lease expires, a landlord may raise the rent only if the action's dominant purpose was not retaliation for the tenant's actions authorized under the Act, and the landlord had received written notice of each condition the tenant acted on. Miss. Code Ann. § 89-8-17(2) |
| Texas | Yes, limited. For specified serious conditions (e.g., sewage backup, flooding, total loss of landlord-supplied water, inadequate heat/cooling certified by an official, or conditions certified by a housing official) after required notices, tenant may repair and deduct the greater of one month's rent or $500 (per month cap). Tex. Prop. Code Sec. 92.0561; Sec. 92.056 | Not permitted outside the statutory repair-and-deduct procedure. A tenant who withholds rent or deducts for repairs in violation of the subchapter is liable for actual damages, and after written warning, a bad-faith violation carries a civil penalty of one month's rent + $500. Tex. Prop. Code Sec. 92.058 | Landlord may not, within six months after a tenant in good faith exercises a legal right, gives a repair notice, complains to a code-enforcement or other agency, or participates in a tenant organization, file an eviction (except on statutory grounds), deprive use of the premises, decrease services, raise rent, terminate the lease, or engage in bad-faith interference. Remedy: one month's rent + $500, actual damages, court costs and attorney's fees. Tex. Prop. Code Sec. 92.331; 92.332; 92.333 |
City rules that may add to state law
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Louisiana Repairs & Tenant Remedies FAQ
Can a tenant repair and deduct from rent in Louisiana?
Allowed. If the landlord fails to make necessary repairs within a reasonable time after the tenant's demand, the tenant may have them made. The tenant can then demand immediate reimbursement or deduct the cost from rent, to the extent the repair was necessary and the cost reasonable. (La. C.C. art. 2694 (with arts. 2682, 2691))
Can a tenant withhold rent for repairs in Louisiana?
No statutory rent-withholding/escrow procedure; the codified remedy is repair-and-deduct (C.C. art. 2694) (La. C.C. art. 2694; La. C.C. art. 2704)
Can a landlord retaliate against a tenant for complaining in Louisiana?
No statewide statute identified. In New Orleans, the city's Healthy Homes ordinance protects tenants who use its complaint process ('protected activity'). (New Orleans Healthy Homes Ordinance (City Code ch. 26))
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.