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Updated about 12 years ago,
Eviction Lock-out clause in Leases - Louisiana
Firstly, this question is asked generally but the property is in Louisiana.
I would like to know if anyone has or could share with me a eviction lock-out clause in their rental leases.
As far as I can gleam from Louisiana law, after a 5 day eviction notice, the landlord can either file on the tenant or repossession his property if the tenant has "abandoned" - word of the law. [ref: Louisiana CCP 4731]
I have had trouble with one tenant (case closed) and want to prevent loss of time (money) in the future. So I plan on including a clause in the lease which politely says if you are delinquent and notice has been given, we will change the locks on the unit when you willfully vacate. I interpret the law to mean that even if they leave the unit for an hour or two, I can change the locks since they (at least technically) have willfully vacated.
Seems like its a little bit of a grey area which works in my favor and would hold up in court (which I am trying to prevent). As long as its in the lease and signed I believe it should not be a problem in Louisiana especially considering our laissez faire customs of legal execution so long as it isn't criminal or does not conflict with housing laws.
Thoughts? Lease suggestions? Do you think it is fair? Smart? Dumb?