La. Civ. Code § Art. 2717
Death of lessor or lessee
Operative Text
Art. 2717. Death of lessor or lessee A lease does not terminate by the death of the lessor or the lessee or by the cessation of existence of a juridical person that is party to the lease.
Under Louisiana Civil Code Art. 2717, a lease agreement does not automatically end when either the landlord or the tenant dies, nor when a business entity that is a party to the lease ceases to exist. The lease continues in force and its rights and obligations pass to the deceased party's heirs or estate, or to the successor of the dissolved entity. This rule ensures continuity of the rental relationship regardless of changes in the legal identity of either party.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Art. 2717, property owners and managers should understand that the death of a tenant or the dissolution of a tenant-entity does not automatically terminate the lease or free the property for re-rental. A compliant operator generally continues to honor the lease terms and directs communications to the tenant's estate, heirs, or legal representative until the lease term concludes or a lawful termination occurs. Keeping clear records of lease assignments and communicating promptly with estate representatives helps maintain an orderly transition.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Art. 2717 establishes that a tenant's rights under a lease survive the death of the landlord — meaning heirs or estate representatives of a deceased landlord generally step into the landlord's role and cannot simply terminate the lease on the basis of the death alone. Similarly, if a tenant dies, the lease obligations and rights typically pass to the tenant's estate rather than ending immediately. Tenants or their family members navigating such a situation may benefit from consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service familiar with Louisiana landlord-tenant law.
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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