Richland Parish is a rural northeast Louisiana parish of approximately 20,100 people anchored by Rayville — the parish seat with a population of about 3,600 — situated along the Ouachita River between Monroe to the northwest and Tallulah to the southeast. The parish shares the 5th Judicial District Court with neighboring Franklin Parish, with Richland Parish matters filed at the Rayville courthouse. Richland Parish’s economy rests on cotton, soybean, and corn farming in the fertile Ouachita River bottomlands, along with timber, light manufacturing, and public sector employment. The parish poverty rate of approximately 27% reflects the limited private sector employment diversity of a predominantly agricultural northeast Louisiana parish.
The rental market in Richland Parish is concentrated in Rayville and the community of Delhi, with very limited inventory elsewhere. Monroe-West Monroe is approximately 30 miles northwest via US-80, providing the primary commuter employment access for residents seeking higher-wage work in healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services. Louisiana Civil Code governs all leases with no local rent control or just-cause eviction requirements.
No parish-level rental license required. Louisiana has no statewide landlord licensing statute. Verify with the City of Rayville or Town of Delhi for any local code enforcement requirements within their city limits.
Rent Control
None. Louisiana has no statewide rent control and Richland Parish has no local rent control ordinance. Lessors may raise rent freely at lease renewal with proper notice.
Security Deposit
Capped at 2 months’ rent (R.S. 9:3251). Must be returned with itemized deductions within 30 days of lease termination or surrender, whichever is later (R.S. 9:3252). Permissible deductions: unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, unpaid utilities owed by lessee.
Eviction Court — 5th Judicial District (Richland Division)
All Richland Parish eviction proceedings are filed in the 5th Judicial District Court — Richland Parish Division, Richland Parish Courthouse, 708 Julia Street, Rayville, LA 71269. Phone: (318) 728-4171. Hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Note: The 5th JDC also serves Franklin Parish; Richland Parish matters are filed at the Rayville courthouse. Justice of the Peace courts may have jurisdiction for leases not exceeding $1,000/month in unincorporated areas.
Notice to Vacate
Written 5-day notice to vacate required before filing for eviction (CCP Art. 4701–4703). Serve personally, by domiciliary service, or by door-posting plus first class mail. Retain all service documentation.
Month-to-Month Termination
10-day written notice required to terminate a month-to-month lease (CC Art. 2687, 2728). Notice must be given at least 10 days before the end of the monthly rental period.
Tacit Reconduction
Accepting rent after a fixed-term lease expires automatically creates a new month-to-month tenancy (CC Art. 2686). Give written notice before lease expiration if renewal is not intended.
No Statutory Cure Period
Louisiana provides no statutory cure period for lease violations. After the 5-day notice expires, the lessor may file a Rule to Show Cause immediately.
Agriculture & Seasonal Income
Cotton, soybean, and corn farming in the Ouachita River bottomlands provide the primary private sector employment. Agricultural income is seasonal — peak earnings during planting and harvest with substantially lower off-season income. Request prior-year tax returns or 12-month bank statements for agricultural worker applicants rather than relying on in-season pay stubs.
Monroe Metro Commuter Access
Rayville is approximately 30 miles southeast of Monroe via US-80. Some Richland Parish residents commute to Monroe-West Monroe for employment in healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services. These commuters bring Ouachita Parish-benchmarked wages to Richland Parish’s lower housing costs. Verify income from Monroe employers the same as any other.
High Poverty Context
Richland Parish’s ~27% poverty rate means a significant share of applicants rely on fixed government income. Prioritize rental history and income stability for fixed-income applicants. Apply all screening criteria consistently per Fair Housing requirements.
Source of Income / HCV
No state or local source of income protections. Landlords are not required to accept Housing Choice Vouchers. Contact the relevant northeast Louisiana housing authority for current Richland Parish payment standards.
Self-Help Eviction
Prohibited. Lessors may not take possession by any means other than lawful judicial process (CCP Art. 4736). Lockouts, utility shutoffs, or removal of tenant belongings without a court order expose the lessor to liability.
Tenant Can Cure?No - Louisiana notices are unconditional. No right to cure by paying rent. However, tenant can negotiate with landlord. Notice can be waived entirely in lease.
Days to Hearing2-7 days
Days to Writ1-3 days
Total Estimated Timeline14-30 days
Total Estimated Cost$100-$400
⚠️ Watch Out
VERY landlord-friendly state. 5-day notice is UNCONDITIONAL - no cure right, tenant must vacate. Notice can be WAIVED in lease - if waived, landlord can file immediately without any notice. No grace period. No statewide late fee cap. No security deposit cap. Tenant gets only 24 hours to appeal after judgment. Lease term notice: 10-day for month-to-month, 30-day for year lease. Do not count weekends/holidays in 5-day period.
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the Justice of the Peace Court / City Court / District Court. Pay the filing fee (~$50-150).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Louisiana eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified Louisiana attorney or local legal aid organization.
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⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
Underground Landlord
🏘️ Communities & Screening Tips
Key communities: Rayville, Delhi, Mangham, Start.
Rayville market: Agricultural workers need full-year income documentation (prior-year tax returns or 12-month bank statements). Monroe commuters via US-80 bring Ouachita wages. School district employees most stable local segment. ~27% poverty — adapt screening for fixed-income applicants. 5th JDC shared with Franklin; file at Rayville courthouse.
Background checks, eviction history, credit reports — get the full picture before handing over the keys.
Richland Parish Louisiana Landlord-Tenant Law: A Guide for Rental Property Owners in Rayville, Delhi, and Northeast Louisiana
Richland Parish is a northeast Louisiana river parish of approximately 20,100 people whose economy reflects the same cotton and soybean agricultural foundation that has shaped the Ouachita River valley since the antebellum period. Rayville, the parish seat, sits along US-80 between Monroe to the northwest and Tallulah to the southeast, and its modest commercial strip reflects its role as the service center for a predominantly rural agricultural parish. The parish shares the 5th Judicial District Court with Franklin Parish, with Richland matters filed at the Rayville courthouse. For landlords, Richland Parish is a small, quiet market with straightforward application of Louisiana’s Civil Code framework, where the key operational considerations are seasonal agricultural income verification, Monroe commuter screening, and high-poverty market screening adaptation.
Agricultural Income Verification in a Bottomland Farm Parish
The Ouachita River bottomlands of Richland Parish produce cotton, soybeans, and corn on some of the most productive agricultural soil in northeast Louisiana. Agricultural workers in these operations have earnings that follow the planting and harvest calendar — highest during spring planting and fall harvest, substantially lower during the winter off-season. A single pay stub drawn during the August-October harvest period will dramatically overstate a farm worker’s reliable annual income. The correct documentation is a prior-year federal tax return showing actual annual earnings across all seasons, or alternatively 12 months of bank statements showing actual deposit patterns throughout the year. Do not make leasing decisions based on in-season agricultural pay stubs for any applicant whose primary income is farm employment. Monroe commuters who hold year-round employment in healthcare or manufacturing at Monroe-West Monroe employers have more regular income documentation; verify with standard pay stubs and employer confirmation regardless of the employer’s location.
Louisiana Law and the Eviction Process in Richland Parish
All Richland Parish evictions are filed in the 5th Judicial District Court, Richland Parish Division, 708 Julia Street, Rayville, LA 71269, phone (318) 728-4171. The 5th JDC serves both Richland and Franklin parishes; Richland Parish matters are filed at the Rayville courthouse. Begin with a written 5-day notice to vacate for nonpayment or lease violation, served per CCP Art. 4704. After expiration, file a Rule to Show Cause. The court schedules a hearing, serves the rule at least 2 days before, and the judge rules. If the lessor prevails, the lessee has 24 hours to vacate before the Richland Parish Sheriff enforces a writ of possession. Month-to-month leases require 10-day written notice to terminate. Security deposits are capped at 2 months’ rent and must be returned with itemized deductions within 30 days.
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Louisiana landlord-tenant law is governed by the Civil Code and differs significantly from other states. Consult a licensed Louisiana attorney or contact the 5th Judicial District Court at (318) 728-4171 for guidance. Last updated: March 2026.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Louisiana landlord-tenant law is governed by the Civil Code and differs significantly from other states. Consult a licensed Louisiana attorney for guidance specific to your situation. Last updated: March 2026.
