AI Louisiana Security Deposit Return Letter

Generate a complete, ready-to-use Louisiana Security Deposit Return Letter, enter deposit amount, itemized deductions with supporting details, move-out/vacate date, and tenant forwarding address to receive a properly formatted letter with the one-month return deadline, full itemization table, explanation of permissible deductions only (unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, cleaning costs), statement of penalties for noncompliance under La. R.S. 9:3251, and required enclosures., -

LOUISIANA SECURITY DEPOSIT RETURN LETTER

Date of Letter: [[Date of Letter]]

TO:
[[Tenant Full Legal Name(s)]]
[[Tenant Forwarding Address, Street, City, State, ZIP]]
(If no forwarding address was provided, this letter is being sent to the last known address / Premises address.)

FROM (Landlord / Property Manager):
[[Landlord or Authorized Agent Full Name]]
[[Landlord / Management Company Mailing Address]]
[[City]], Louisiana [[ZIP Code]]
Phone: [[Landlord Phone]] | Email: [[Landlord Email]]

RE: Return of Security Deposit, [[Rental Property Full Address]], [[City]], Louisiana [[ZIP Code]]
Lease Termination / Vacate Date: [[Vacate / Move-Out Date]]
Security Deposit Amount: $[[Original Security Deposit Amount]], -

NOTICE OF SECURITY DEPOSIT ACCOUNTING AND RETURN

Dear [[Tenant First Name(s)]],

Pursuant to La. R.S. 9:3251, a landlord must return a tenant's security deposit, or furnish a written itemized statement of any deductions together with payment of any balance, within one month (30 days) after the termination of the tenancy or the tenant vacating the Premises, whichever is later. This letter and any enclosed payment or statement are being provided to satisfy that obligation.

Key Dates
- Lease Termination / Vacate Date: [[Vacate / Move-Out Date]]
- Keys / Possession Returned: [[Key Return Date if different]]
- Forwarding Address Received: [[Date Forwarding Address Provided or "Not Provided, sent to last known"]], -

PRE-DEPARTURE INSPECTION OFFER (Optional but Recommended)

Prior to your vacating, Landlord offered (or you participated in) a pre-move-out inspection on [[Inspection Date or "N/A, offer extended but not utilized"]]. The purpose was to allow you to address any cleaning or repair items that could be corrected prior to final accounting. A copy of any inspection notes is available upon request., -

ITEMIZED STATEMENT OF DEDUCTIONS

The following is a complete itemized statement of deductions from your security deposit. Only actual, reasonable costs for the categories permitted by Louisiana law are listed. Normal wear and tear is not deductible.

Security Deposit Originally Held: $[[Original Security Deposit Amount]]
Less Total Deductions: $[[Total Deductions]]
Balance Due and Enclosed Herewith: $[[Balance Amount or "0.00"]]

☐ Check # [[Check Number]] in the amount of $[[Balance Amount]] dated [[Check Date]] is enclosed.
☐ Direct deposit / electronic transfer confirmation attached (if elected).
☐ No balance due (deductions equaled or exceeded deposit).

Note: If the balance is zero or a deduction statement is provided with no refund, this constitutes full accounting., -

PERMISSIBLE DEDUCTIONS AND TENANT RIGHTS

Under Louisiana law, the security deposit may be withheld only for:

• Unpaid rent
• Actual damages to the Premises or its contents beyond ordinary wear and tear
• Costs reasonably necessary to clean the Premises to the condition at move-in (ordinary wear and tear excluded)

Landlord may not deduct for normal wear and tear (e.g., minor scuffs, faded paint, carpet wear from normal use, etc.).

If Landlord fails to return the deposit or provide a proper itemized statement within the required time, or withholds amounts in bad faith, Tenant may be entitled to recover the full amount of the deposit plus reasonable attorney fees and costs. See La. R.S. 9:3251.

You have the right to request copies of any receipts, invoices, or estimates supporting deductions over reasonable amounts upon written request., -

TENANT FORWARDING ADDRESS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

If you have not already provided a forwarding address, please do so immediately in writing to the address above so that any future correspondence or refund can be delivered. This letter is being sent to the address listed.

Tenant Acknowledgment (optional but helpful):
I acknowledge receipt of this accounting and the enclosed payment (if any).

Tenant Signature: _______________________________ Date: ___________

Printed Name: [[Tenant Full Name]], -

ENCLOSURES

1. This letter
2. Check or payment confirmation (if balance due)
3. Copies of supporting invoices/receipts/photographs (for deductions)
4. Final move-out inspection notes (if any)
5. Copy of original security deposit receipt / ledger entry (upon request), -

DETAILED EXPLANATION OF DEDUCTIONS AND NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR

To assist you in understanding the accounting, the following examples illustrate the distinction between normal wear and tear (not deductible) and damage beyond normal wear (deductible):

• Normal wear and tear (not charged): Faded paint from sunlight, minor carpet wear from foot traffic over years, small nail holes from hanging pictures, light scuff marks on baseboards from normal use.
• Deductible damage: Large holes in drywall from moving furniture carelessly, pet urine stains requiring carpet replacement, broken windows or doors from misuse, excessive filth requiring professional deep cleaning beyond standard turnover, unpaid utility bills assigned to tenant per lease.

All deductions listed above were calculated using actual costs or reasonable estimates supported by documentation. If you dispute any item, please provide written notice within 30 days with supporting evidence.

PROCEDURE TO REQUEST SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Under La. R.S. 9:3251, upon your written request, Landlord will provide copies of receipts, invoices, or written estimates for any deduction. Requests should be sent to the address or email above. Landlord will respond within a reasonable time (typically 10 business days).

PENALTIES FOR NONCOMPLIANCE BY LANDLORD

Failure by Landlord to return the deposit or furnish a proper itemized statement within the statutory period, or to return amounts wrongfully withheld, may result in liability for:

• The full amount of the security deposit
• Reasonable attorney fees and court costs incurred by Tenant to recover the deposit

Landlord has made a good-faith effort to comply with all requirements of Louisiana law in preparing this accounting.

ADDITIONAL TENANT PROTECTIONS AND NOTES

• This accounting does not waive any other rights Tenant may have under the lease or Louisiana law (including claims for wrongful withholding, habitability issues during tenancy, or personal property).
• If you believe deductions are improper, you may contact Landlord in writing to negotiate or pursue remedies in the appropriate court (typically the parish where the property is located or where you now reside).
• Keep this letter and all enclosures for your records. Consider consulting a tenant advocacy organization or licensed Louisiana attorney if you have questions.

Tenant Request for Additional Copies (if needed):
☐ I request copies of all supporting documentation for the deductions listed.
Signature / Date: ________________________, -

CERTIFICATION BY LANDLORD / AGENT

I certify that this letter and the attached accounting are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge, that the deductions are limited to permissible categories under La. R.S. 9:3251, and that the timing of this notice complies with the one-month requirement.

Landlord / Authorized Agent Signature: ___________________________________________
Printed Name: [[Landlord or Agent Full Name]]
Title: [[Title, Landlord / Property Manager / Agent]]
Date: [[Date Signed]], -

This document is a template, not legal advice. Comply strictly with La. R.S. 9:3251 timing and itemization requirements. Retain copies of all documentation for at least three years. Consult a Louisiana attorney for questions about specific deductions or disputes. The statutory period is measured from the later of lease termination or tenant vacating the premises.

Governing Statute: La. R.S. 9:3251, Return of security deposit; time; itemization; penalties (landlord must return deposit or itemized statement + remainder within 1 month of lease termination or tenant vacating, whichever later; failure may entitle tenant to full deposit plus reasonable attorney fees). Permissible deductions are limited to unpaid rent, actual damage beyond normal wear and tear, and cleaning costs.

Additional Related Provisions: La. R.S. 9:3252 (tenant remedies); Civil Code provisions governing leases., -

> ⚠️ Template example, not professional (legal/financial/medical) advice. Figures and clauses must be verified for the applicable jurisdiction and kept current. All user-supplied values use [[Token Name]] placeholders. Numbered or bulleted lists appear on separate lines with blank lines between as required. Tables are limited to 6 columns maximum.