Free Louisiana Rental Application Form

A Louisiana rental application is a legal document used by landlords and property managers to assess and choose an appropriate tenant for a rental property. They are sometimes known by other common names, such as:

• Tenant applications 

• Rental lease applications

• Lease applications

• Applications for a rental property

Having a rental application can prove highly important to make sure you get the right tenant into your property. The process of screening prospective residents in this way allows you to discover any issues such as their inability to pay rent or the likelihood to cause a nuisance before signing a contract.

When you create a rental application in Louisiana, there are two types of templates that are most commonly used. Depending on the property, its designation, and the location it’s being rented in, you could need either of the following forms.

1. Standard/General Louisiana rental application: The most common form used by LA landlords. These can be adjusted and modified to fit the precise needs of you or a property manager, as well as the data you want to acquire from the applicant.

2. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Rental Application: This is a type of rental application used by owners or managers of Section 8 Housing. The HUD rental application is designed and optimized to screen tenants who qualify for subsidized housing.

When you fill in a simple rental application form for Louisiana you’ll need to ask for some crucial data from the tenant to make the vetting process as effective as possible. 

When you create your own application for a rental property, you should request the following information:

• Personal data

• Rental history

• Employment details

• Income information

• Credit history

• Personal references

• Permission for background checks

Furthermore, landlords must make a number of important disclosures on a standard rental application form. This information might include:

• The property’s condition

• Potential hazards to the tenant

• Shared utility arrangements

• Rent control rules

• Smoking policy

• The security deposit

• Associated fees

Landlords can charge any fee they choose for a rental application, as these are not limited by Louisiana statutes. The fee that is paid is also non-refundable to the tenant. 

Security Deposit

Similar to the application fee law, there is no Louisiana statute defining a limit on the amount landlords can charge tenants for security deposits. There is also no requirement for the provision of receipts or holding requirements. However, the landlord is obligated to keep valid records of any security deposits they are sent. (RS §3251)

Housing Discrimination Law

There are no set laws in Louisiana that specifically limit housing discrimination. However, all states must adhere to the Fair Housing Act (FHA). The FHA is a federal law that prevents landlords from discriminating against tenants based on their:

• Race

• Nationality

• Religion

• Sex

• Familial status

• Disability

• Criminal history

Notice of Eligibility

Tenants must be told about any specific screening criteria, as well as the reasons that they could be denied or approved by the landlord. To show that this information has been shared, a signature of acknowledgment from the tenant is required. (RS Tit. 23, § 1624.1)

Consent Credit Check

Within Louisiana, federal law is in effect that requires potential renters to provide written consent for a credit history check during the application process. This is known as the Federal Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). (RS §3571.1)

It’s sensible to look over the template of an LA rental application before starting your own. This can help to give you a better idea of what your final form will look like and the kind of information you’ll need to add to it.

Managing real estate can be tricky and it is essential to ensure that your activities are legally compliant at all times. Take advantage of the full range of property management legal documents below whenever you need to perform crucial tasks:

• Louisiana Residential Lease Agreement

• Louisiana Eviction Notice