Welcome to the start of a new semester. As the director of the College of Law’s Law Clinic and an attorney who works on housing justice in New Orleans, I receive many questions about tenant issues. This opinion piece shares information and resources for the benefit of the Loyola community. This is not legal advice.
Jane Place Neighborhood Sustainability Initiative holds monthly renter’s rights assemblies to build capacity and power amongst renters. Free legal support is provided at those monthly meetings. You can visit their website for more information.
Before you move into a new rental unit, be sure to carefully review any written lease documents and be sure that you understand all the lease provisions before you sign. For example, how much notice prior to your move-out does the lease require that you give the property owner? Does the lease have any restrictions such as “no pets” or requirements such as “change air filter?”
When you move into a new rental unit, you should consider taking photographs of every room and document any damage or problems in the rental unit.
When you pay your security deposit and your monthly rent, you should receive a receipt or confirmation of those payments. Upon request in writing with a forwarding address, the security deposit should be returned to the tenant as long as there is no unreasonable wear and tear on the property or damage caused by the tenant and the property is left in a clean condition.
To help avoid disputes, put as much in writing as possible.
You can find more about general tips for renters from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. If you are facing an eviction, you may have legal defenses or other strategies to defend against and protect yourself from the eviction. Here is a link to some materials on LousianaLawHelp.org The Southeast Louisiana Legal Services housing unit provides legal assistance on eviction matters. And this is the State of Louisiana’s Guide to Landlord and Tenant Laws.
