Save Hundreds vs Attorney Fees

Professional Legal Document – Only $9.99

(Typical legal consultation: $79–$149)

  • Professional MS Word & PDF formatting
  • Fully editable & reusable
  • Attorney-reviewed templates
  • Lifetime updates included
  • 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
GET INSTANT ACCESS Immediate download available
Accepted payment methods: Visa, MasterCard, Amex, PayPal, Discover

What Is a Louisiana Commercial Lease Agreement?

A Louisiana commercial lease agreement is a contract for renting business property such as office, retail, warehouse, or industrial space. Louisiana commercial leasing is governed by the Civil Code rather than common-law principles, making it unique among U.S. states. Two distinctively Louisiana doctrines—reconduction and the lessor's privilege—significantly affect how commercial leases operate.

When to Use a Commercial Lease in Louisiana

  • Leasing retail, office, warehouse, or industrial space in Louisiana.
  • Drafting a lease where the parties need to understand reconduction (automatic renewal by operation of law).
  • Leasing space where the landlord wants to preserve the lessor's privilege on tenant movables.
  • Negotiating a lease with Louisiana-specific termination notice requirements.
  • Using a form that addresses Civil Code lease rules rather than common-law landlord-tenant principles.

Key Louisiana Commercial Lease Provisions

  • Reconduction (Automatic Renewal): Under La. Civ. Code art. 2721, if a fixed-term lease expires and the tenant remains in possession for one week without opposition from the landlord, the lease is reconducted (renewed by operation of law). This is a distinctively Louisiana doctrine with no equivalent in most other states.
  • Reconducted Lease Becomes Month-to-Month: Under art. 2723, when a nonagricultural lease with a term of one month or longer is reconducted, the new lease is presumed to be month-to-month, regardless of the original term length.
  • Original Terms Continue: Under art. 2724, the reconducted lease is on the same terms and conditions as the original, except for the term and any provisions that are no longer applicable.
  • Termination of Reconducted Lease: Under arts. 2727 and 2728, either party may terminate a month-to-month reconducted lease by giving notice at least 10 days before the end of the month.
  • Lessor's Privilege on Movables: Under La. Civ. Code arts. 2707–2710, the landlord has a privilege (a type of lien) on the tenant's movable property in or on the leased premises to secure payment of rent and other lease obligations. This is a powerful security interest that arises by operation of law.
  • Civil Code Framework: Louisiana lease law is based on the Civil Code, not UCC or common-law landlord-tenant principles. Concepts like lessor/lessee obligations, lease dissolution, and remedies follow the Civil Code structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

If a tenant stays one week after the lease ends in Louisiana, what happens?

Under La. Civ. Code art. 2721, if the tenant remains in possession for one week after the lease expires without opposition from the landlord, the lease is reconducted (automatically renewed by operation of law).

Does a reconducted lease in Louisiana keep the original term?

No. Under art. 2723, a reconducted nonagricultural lease becomes month-to-month, regardless of the original term. However, under art. 2724, all other terms and conditions continue.

How do I terminate a month-to-month reconducted lease in Louisiana?

Under La. Civ. Code arts. 2727 and 2728, either party may terminate by giving notice at least 10 days before the end of the month.

Does a Louisiana commercial landlord have a lien on tenant property?

Yes. Under La. Civ. Code arts. 2707–2710, the landlord has a privilege (lien) on the tenant's movable property in or on the leased premises, securing payment of rent and other lease obligations.

Is Louisiana commercial lease law different from other states?

Yes. Louisiana is the only U.S. state that governs commercial leases under the Civil Code rather than common-law landlord-tenant principles. Concepts like reconduction and the lessor's privilege have no direct equivalents in most other states.