Do this today
- Keep the paper. Photograph every page.
- Write the date, time, and how it arrived.
- Look for Orleans Parish — First City Court / confirm the court on the paper, a case number, or an appearance date.
- If a court is named, call legal aid the same day. Do not guess the deadline.
What were you handed?
| The paper | What it usually is | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| Landlord notice | A step before a court case. Not a judgment, and not a lockout. | Date it. Keep the original. Write down how it arrived. Check whether it offers a chance to fix the problem. |
| Court papers | A case has been filed. A court name, case number, or appearance date is running. | Call legal aid the same day. Do not ignore it. Bring the papers and a timeline of how you received them. |
| Lockout or shutoff | Locks changed, belongings moved, or utilities cut on an occupied unit. | Call 211 and legal aid today. In most states a landlord may not do this personally. Police non-emergency can document it. |
Is a notice in New Orleans the same as being evicted?
No. A written landlord notice is a step. Orleans Parish — First City Court / confirm the court on the paper is where a possession case is heard. Papers that name a court, a case number, or an appearance date mean a case has been filed — that is same-day legal-aid work. Louisiana lease law is its own system. Do not import a Texas or Florida process uncritically.
What should I be careful not to do?
Do not ignore court papers. Do not assume a lockout is lawful because a notice looks official. Do not sign a move-out or cash-for-keys paper you have not read with an advocate. City of New Orleans — Code Enforcement is not a substitute for legal aid once a case is filed.
What is different about renting in New Orleans?
Louisiana’s Civil Code lease articles are the statewide baseline — a different legal family than most states. The City layer is Code Enforcement and 311. First City Court and other parish courts hear many eviction cases. Do not import a Texas or Florida process.
The New Orleans layer
Louisiana lease law is its own system. Do not import a Texas or Florida process uncritically.
Louisiana lease and residential tenancy statutes (La. Civ. Code arts. 2668 to 2729; La. Rev. Stat. §§ 9:3251 to 9:3261.2) is the Louisiana floor. We name it. We do not paraphrase a day-count or a dollar cap out of it.
New Orleans questions
Can my landlord in New Orleans evict me without going to court?
No. Changing locks or shutting off utilities is not how possession is completed. Orleans Parish — First City Court / confirm the court on the paper is the court. If the paper names it, call legal aid the same day.
How long does an eviction notice last in New Orleans?
That number is in Louisiana lease and residential tenancy statutes, and it can depend on the reason, the housing type, and any local ordinance. This site does not reprint it. Open the chapter or call legal aid with the paper in your hand.
What is different about renting in New Orleans?
Louisiana’s Civil Code lease articles are the statewide baseline — a different legal family than most states. The City layer is Code Enforcement and 311. First City Court and other parish courts hear many eviction cases. Do not import a Texas or Florida process.
What number should I call in New Orleans?
Danger: 911. Mental-health crisis: 988. City services: 311. Court papers: LawHelp.org the same day. City of New Orleans — Code Enforcement does not replace legal aid when a case is filed.
National answers on this desk
Last reviewed 8 September 2026. Legal information, not legal advice. Not a law firm. hello@renterprotection.org