La. Civ. Code § Art. 2715
Partial destruction, loss, expropriation, or other substantial impairment of use
Operative Text
Art. 2715. Partial destruction, loss, expropriation, or other substantial impairment of use If, without the fault of the lessee, the thing is partially destroyed, lost, or expropriated, or its use is otherwise substantially impaired, the lessee may, according to the circumstances of both parties, obtain a diminution of the rent or dissolution of the lease, whichever is more appropriate under the circumstances. If the lessor was at fault, the lessee may also demand damages. If the impairment of the use of the leased thing was caused by circumstances external to the leased thing, the lessee is entitled to a dissolution of the lease, but is not entitled to diminution of the rent.
Louisiana Civil Code art. § Art. 2715 addresses situations where a leased property is partially destroyed, lost, expropriated, or otherwise substantially impaired in its usefulness without the tenant being at fault. Under this provision, the tenant may seek either a reduction in rent or an end to the lease, depending on what is most appropriate given the circumstances of both parties. When the impairment stems from causes external to the leased property itself, the tenant's remedy is limited to dissolving the lease rather than obtaining a rent reduction. If the landlord was at fault for the impairment, the tenant may additionally pursue a claim for damages.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers in Louisiana should be aware that Art. § Art. 2715 of the Louisiana Civil Code creates specific obligations when a leased property suffers partial destruction, expropriation, or a significant loss of usability. A compliant operator generally documents the condition of the property, communicates promptly with tenants about any impairment, and works to address the cause of the impairment where possible. When the landlord's own fault contributes to the impairment, operators should understand that tenants may pursue not only lease dissolution or rent reduction but also a separate damages claim.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under La. Civ. Code art. § Art. 2715, Louisiana tenants whose leased property becomes partially destroyed, expropriated, or substantially impaired through no fault of their own have the right to seek either a rent reduction or dissolution of the lease. If the impairment originates from causes outside the leased property itself, the available remedy shifts to lease dissolution only, without a rent reduction. Tenants who believe their landlord's fault contributed to the impairment may also have grounds to seek damages, and consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service can help clarify which remedies may be available in a given situation.
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.
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