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Crowley is the parish seat of Acadia Parish in south-central Louisiana, known as the Rice Capital of America. Like most smaller Louisiana cities, Crowley's rental market is governed entirely by state law — the Louisiana Civil Code and Revised Statutes — rather than any local ordinance. Renters in Crowley most commonly ask about security deposit returns, how much advance notice a landlord must give before ending a lease, and what steps a landlord must follow before filing for eviction.
Louisiana's landlord-tenant framework is notably more landlord-favorable than the laws of most other states. Notice periods are short, statutory tenant remedies are limited, and there is no local housing authority in Crowley with dedicated tenant-protection enforcement. Understanding the specific provisions of the Civil Code — and the terms of your individual lease — is the most important step any Crowley renter can take to protect themselves.
This article summarizes the state and local rules that apply to renters in Crowley as of April 2026. It is provided for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. If you have a specific legal problem, contact Acadiana Legal Service Corporation or another qualified attorney.
There is no rent control in Crowley, and no cap on how much a landlord may raise your rent. Louisiana has never enacted a statewide rent stabilization law, and no Louisiana municipality — including Crowley — has adopted a local rent control ordinance. Louisiana law does not expressly preempt rent control by a single statute the way some states do; rather, the absence of any enabling legislation at the state or local level means that rent regulation simply does not exist anywhere in Louisiana.
In practice, this means your landlord may raise your rent by any amount at the expiration of your lease term or, for month-to-month tenancies, with at least 10 days' written notice before the next rent period begins (La. Civ. Code art. 2728). There is no requirement that a landlord justify or limit a rent increase. Your only protection against an unexpected increase is the fixed term of a written lease — for its duration, the agreed rent cannot be changed unilaterally. Once that term expires, or if you rent month-to-month, the landlord has full discretion over the new rent amount.
The following state-law protections apply to all renters in Crowley under the Louisiana Civil Code and Louisiana Revised Statutes.
Implied Warranty of Habitability (La. Civ. Code arts. 2691–2696): A landlord is obligated to deliver the leased premises in a condition fit for the purpose for which they were leased and to maintain that condition throughout the tenancy. The landlord must make all repairs necessary to keep the property in a fit state. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs after written notice from the tenant, the tenant may have the right to seek a reduction in rent or, in serious cases, to dissolve the lease — but Louisiana's statutory remedies are less detailed than those in states that have adopted the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, so consulting a legal aid attorney is strongly recommended before taking any self-help action.
Security Deposit Rules (La. R.S. § 9:3251–9:3254): Landlords must return the security deposit — along with an itemized written statement of any deductions — within 30 days after the tenant surrenders the property. If the landlord wrongfully withholds any portion of the deposit, the tenant may be entitled to recover up to double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees. See the Security Deposit section below for full details.
Notice to Terminate (La. Civ. Code art. 2728): For a month-to-month lease, either party must give at least 10 days' written notice before the end of the rental period to terminate the tenancy. This is one of the shortest notice requirements in the United States. Many written leases require longer notice (30 or 60 days), and those lease terms control if they are more protective of either party.
Prohibition on Self-Help Eviction (La. Civ. Code art. 2729; La. R.S. § 13:4911 et seq.): A landlord cannot remove a tenant by force, change the locks, remove doors or windows, or shut off utilities to force a tenant out. Any eviction must proceed through the courts. Violations of this prohibition can expose a landlord to civil liability.
Retaliation Protections: Louisiana's statutory anti-retaliation protections for tenants are limited compared to many states. While a landlord may not lawfully evict or raise rent in direct retaliation for a tenant exercising a legal right, this protection is largely enforced through general contract and tort principles rather than a robust dedicated statute. Tenants who believe they are being retaliated against should document all communications in writing and seek advice from Acadiana Legal Service Corporation or another legal aid provider.
Louisiana's security deposit rules are governed by La. R.S. § 9:3251 through § 9:3254. The following rules apply to all residential rentals in Crowley.
No statutory cap: Louisiana law does not limit how large a security deposit a landlord may charge. The amount is set by the lease agreement. Always get the deposit amount in writing before signing.
30-day return deadline: After you move out and surrender the premises, your landlord has 30 days to return your deposit. If the landlord makes deductions, they must provide a written, itemized statement of those deductions along with any remaining balance (La. R.S. § 9:3251). Allowable deductions generally include unpaid rent and damages beyond normal wear and tear.
Penalty for wrongful withholding: If your landlord fails to return the deposit (or the itemized statement) within 30 days without justification, you may sue for up to double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees (La. R.S. § 9:3252). To protect your claim, document the condition of the unit at move-in and move-out with dated photographs, return all keys, and send your forwarding address to the landlord in writing.
Practical tip: Send your forwarding address by certified mail so you have proof the landlord received it. The 30-day clock typically begins when the landlord receives your forwarding address and you have fully vacated the unit.
Louisiana eviction (called a rule for possession or summary eviction) is governed by La. Code Civ. Proc. arts. 4701–4735 and La. R.S. § 13:4911. The following steps apply to evictions in Crowley, which are heard in the Acadia Parish court system.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must give you written notice to vacate. The required notice period depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing in Court: If you do not vacate by the deadline in the notice, the landlord may file a Rule for Possession in the appropriate court. In Crowley, this is typically the Acadia Parish City Court or Justice of the Peace court depending on the amount at issue. You will receive a summons specifying the hearing date, which is usually scheduled within a few days to a week of filing.
Step 3 — Hearing: You have the right to appear and present a defense at the hearing. Valid defenses can include that the rent was paid, that the notice was defective, or that the landlord failed to maintain the property. If the court rules for the landlord, a judgment of eviction is entered.
Step 4 — Warrant of Possession: If you do not vacate after judgment, the landlord may obtain a warrant of possession allowing the constable or sheriff to physically remove you and your belongings (La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4733).
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: A landlord may not lock you out, remove your belongings, shut off your utilities, or use any other self-help method to force you out (La. Civ. Code art. 2729). If this happens to you, contact law enforcement and a legal aid organization immediately.
No Just Cause Requirement: Louisiana does not require a landlord to have just cause to terminate a tenancy at the end of a lease term or a month-to-month agreement. Proper notice is the only requirement.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws are complex, change over time, and their application depends on the specific facts of your situation. The information on this page reflects our best understanding of Louisiana law as of April 2026, but laws may have changed since publication. Renters in Crowley with specific legal questions or problems should contact Acadiana Legal Service Corporation, Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, or a licensed Louisiana attorney. Do not rely solely on this article when making decisions about your tenancy.
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