7 Things to Know When Renting a Home in New Orleans

Want to become a tenant in the Big Easy? Here are 7 things to know when renting a home in New Orleans that should help you avoid unpleasant surprises.

New Orleans is a great place to call home, whether you are a renter or homeowner. Still, in case of the former, you have to put in a bit more effort to enjoy the same perks. Tenants rarely have it easy, be it in the Big Easy or any other place in the world. Because of this, informing yourself on your rights and duties and gaining an insight into the local market is imperative. Each state has its laws, and when it comes to things such as housing, you should never leave things to chance. To help you avoid potential unpleasantries in the future, here are 7 things to know when renting a home in New Orleans.

Louisiana is a landlord-friendly state.

Before you even commence your search for the ideal rental property in New Orleans, you need to know that Louisiana favors landlords slightly more than tenants. Simply put, this means there are laws that give an advantage to homeowners when it comes to entering occupied properties, evictions, increasing rent prices, etc.

Although this probably doesn’t sound too appealing to renters, no issues should arise if you hold up your end of the bargain. However, to be able to do that, you must do your research on specific tenant rights and obligations. Additionally, once you find a suitable rental, make sure to read the lease agreement in detail. This way, you should be fully informed on what is expected and allowed.

Finding a good deal takes some effort.

New Orleans is far from a hidden gem. Its music, food, culture, and laid-back vibes attract many visitors, many of which decide to become residents. And, much like in any other popular city, finding an apartment that ticks all the boxes isn’t always the easiest of tasks. Even when they appear on apartment hunting websites, good deals don’t stay there for long.

With that said, it’s a good idea to take a more proactive approach when searching for a rental in New Orleans. Ask around for recommendations, look for old-school ads on the streets, and even enlist the help of professionals.

You might need to sacrifice some of your must-haves but remember that there are ways to adjust. For instance, if you can’t seem to find an apartment with enough square footage, you can find an affordable storage unit to help you organize and avoid clutter. A bit of resourcefulness is all you really need.

You shouldn’t skimp on renters’ insurance.

We have already established that New Orleans is a fabulous, one-of-a-kind city. Nonetheless, you must account for the other side of the coin, as well. Natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornados, and floods are not uncommon here, so protecting yourself from them is of the utmost importance. Moreover, like in most urban areas, there are occasional thefts and instances of vandalism.

An excellent way to ensure the safety of your possessions is to get renters’ insurance. This will give you some much-needed peace of mind if you ever become a victim of unfortunate events.

Essential repairs are your landlord’s obligation.

You’ll be happy to learn that essential repairs such as faulty plumbing, heating, issues with the structure, etc., are the landlord’s responsibility in Louisiana. Unless you are the reason these repairs are needed, that is.

If anything needs to be fixed, replaced or updated, all you need to do is notify your landlord as soon as you notice the problem. If they don’t fulfill their duties within a reasonable timeframe, you can either terminate your lease or pay for the repairs yourself. In case you opt for the former, the money will be reimbursed if you can prove your circumstances.

Your landlord can evict you at the end of your lease.

And now the bad news about renting a home in New Orleans. Your landlord has the full right to evict you at the end of your lease with 30 days’ notice. The situation is even more unpredictable if you have a month-to-month agreement as you only get ten days’ notice. And they don’t even need to have a good reason! 

Still, this doesn’t mean they can simply kick you to the curb – all evictions must be handled in court. However, if you do your best to be a responsible tenant, your landlord probably won’t feel the need for such drastic measures.

Security deposits are always a touchy subject. Landlords like to keep them, while tenants always seem to want them back. Luckily, the state of Louisiana has come up with a solution that is reasonable for both sides.

Your landlord has 30 days to give you your security deposit back.

Once you move out of your rental, the landlord is obligated to return the full deposit to you within 30 days. If, of course, you have not damaged the property, left it unclean, or failed to make any payments. In case they don’t, you can resolve this issue in Small Claims Court. On the other hand, if you are guilty of damaging something, the landlord needs to provide you with an itemized list of what your deposit is covering.

Housing discrimination is illegal in Louisiana.

Louisiana is a multiethnic and multicultural state, which means any form of discrimination is illegal – including housing discrimination. If you notice unfairness based on your ethnicity, nationality, race, religion, sex, familial status, or disability you have the right to contact a lawyer, housing counselor or file a discrimination complaint.

Final words.

Renting a home in New Orleans comes with its perks and drawbacks, much like everything else in life. As always, if you want to ensure peace of mind, learning everything there is to know about your rights and responsibilities is essential. Only this way can you protect yourself and truly enjoy everything this unique city has to offer.

Photo | unsplash.com

Written by Beatrice White