La. Civ. Code § Art. 2694
Lessee's right to make repairs
Operative Text
Art. 2694. Lessee's right to make repairs If the lessor fails to perform his obligation to make necessary repairs within a reasonable time after demand by the lessee, the lessee may cause them to be made. The lessee may demand immediate reimbursement of the amount expended for the repair or apply that amount to the payment of rent, but only to the extent that the repair was necessary and the expended amount was reasonable.
Louisiana Civil Code Art. 2694 establishes that when a lessor (landlord) fails to make necessary repairs within a reasonable time after being asked, the lessee (tenant) is permitted to arrange and pay for those repairs independently. The lessee may then seek immediate reimbursement from the lessor or deduct the repair costs from rent owed, provided the repairs were genuinely necessary and the costs were reasonable. This provision creates a self-help remedy that balances the lessor's repair obligation against the lessee's right to a habitable or functional premises.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under La. Civ. Code Art. 2694, property owners and managers are expected to respond to repair requests within a reasonable time to avoid triggering a tenant's right to arrange repairs independently. Operators who document repair requests, track response timelines, and complete necessary work promptly are generally better positioned to avoid disputes over reimbursement or rent offsets. Maintaining clear records of communications and completed maintenance can help demonstrate timely compliance with repair obligations.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
La. Civ. Code Art. 2694 gives tenants a recognized path when a landlord does not make necessary repairs within a reasonable time after being notified: tenants may arrange for the repairs themselves and then seek reimbursement or apply the cost against rent. The right to offset or recover costs is limited to repairs that were genuinely necessary and expenses that were reasonable, so keeping receipts, written repair requests, and records of the landlord's non-response can be important. Tenants who want to understand how this provision applies to their circumstances may consider reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office for general guidance.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 17, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation