DisputeKit / States / Louisiana
Your consumer rights in Louisiana
What Louisiana and federal law say about getting a security deposit back, refunds and cancelling subscriptions, with the law cited and a sample letter for each.
Security deposits
1 month. Under Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:3251, a landlord must return the security deposit, less any portion reasonably necessary to remedy a default of the tenant or unreasonable wear to the premises within 1 month. The clock starts when you move out and hand back possession of the unit. A court may also award the amount wrongfully retained plus $300 or twice the amount wrongfully retained, whichever is greater, for willful failure to comply; failing to refund within 30 days after the tenant's written demand counts as willful.
Refunds
If a company won't refund you, send a written demand with a clear deadline. If you paid by credit card, you may also be able to dispute the charge: Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, a billing-error dispute must reach the card issuer in writing within 60 days after the first statement showing the charge.
Subscriptions
Louisiana has no automatic-renewal statute. For subscriptions sold online, the federal Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act requires a simple way to stop recurring charges, and Louisiana's general consumer protection law applies.
Small claims and complaints in Louisiana
- Louisiana consumer law
- Louisiana Revised Statutes 51:1405 (Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law)
- Where to file a complaint
- Louisiana Attorney General, Consumer Protection Section
- Small claims limit
- $5,000 in the small claims division of a city court (East St. Tammany City Court follows its civil limit)
- Filing fee
- varies by court; ask the clerk of the city court or justice of the peace court