St. Helena Parish is a small, rural Florida Parish of approximately 10,100 people anchored by Greensburg — the parish seat with a population of only about 700, making it one of the smallest parish seats in Louisiana. The parish is part of the Florida Parishes region — the southeast Louisiana parishes that were historically part of Spanish West Florida — and shares the 21st Judicial District Court with Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes, with St. Helena Parish matters filed at the Greensburg courthouse. The parish economy rests on timber and forest products, which have defined the longleaf pine hill country since the 19th century, alongside public sector employment and Baton Rouge commuter income from residents who live in rural St. Helena for its quiet character and lower costs while working in the capital city approximately 50 miles to the southwest via LA-16 and I-12.
The rental market in St. Helena Parish is extremely small — concentrated almost entirely in Greensburg — with very limited inventory and rents among the lowest in the state. The parish poverty rate of approximately 25% reflects limited private sector employment diversity. 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 Town of Greensburg for any local code enforcement requirements within town limits. Unincorporated rural properties are not subject to municipal codes.
Rent Control
None. Louisiana has no statewide rent control and St. Helena 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 — 21st Judicial District (St. Helena Division)
All St. Helena Parish eviction proceedings are filed in the 21st Judicial District Court — St. Helena Parish Division, St. Helena Parish Courthouse, 130 Sitman Street, Greensburg, LA 70441. Phone: (225) 222-4514. Hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Note: The 21st JDC serves Livingston, Tangipahoa, and St. Helena parishes; St. Helena matters are filed at the Greensburg 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.
Timber & Forest Products
Timber is the primary private sector industry. W-2 mill employees verify with recent pay stubs. Independent contract loggers require prior-year Schedule C or 12-month bank statements for reliable annual income assessment.
Baton Rouge Commuter Access
Greensburg is approximately 50 miles northeast of Baton Rouge via LA-16 and I-12. Some St. Helena Parish residents commute to Baton Rouge for state government, healthcare, and professional services employment. These commuters bring Baton Rouge-benchmarked wages to St. Helena’s very low housing costs — a highly favorable income-to-rent ratio. Verify income from Baton Rouge employers the same as any other.
High Poverty Screening Adaptation
St. Helena Parish’s ~25% poverty rate means a significant share of rental applicants may rely on fixed government income. Prioritize rental history and income reliability. 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 housing authority for current St. Helena 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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AI-generated, state-specific eviction notices, pay-or-quit letters, lease termination documents, and more — pre-filled with your tenant's information and built to Louisiana requirements.
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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.
Greensburg market: Very small rural market. Timber W-2 employees verify with pay stubs; contract loggers need Schedule C. Baton Rouge commuters via LA-16/I-12 bring capital wages at very favorable rent ratios. ~25% poverty — adapt for fixed-income applicants. 21st JDC serves three parishes; file at Greensburg courthouse.
Background checks, eviction history, credit reports — get the full picture before handing over the keys.
St. Helena Parish Louisiana Landlord-Tenant Law: A Guide for Rental Property Owners in Greensburg and the Florida Parishes Hill Country
St. Helena Parish is one of Louisiana’s smallest and most sparsely settled parishes — a Florida Parish of approximately 10,100 people in the longleaf pine hill country northeast of Baton Rouge, with its parish seat at Greensburg, a town of only about 700 people. The parish belongs to the Florida Parishes region, the southeast Louisiana parishes that were administered separately as Spanish West Florida before American acquisition, and its character reflects the upland pine terrain and Protestant Scots-Irish heritage that distinguishes it from the French Catholic bayou country to the south. The rental market in St. Helena Parish is one of Louisiana’s smallest — effectively just the Greensburg area — and its economics are shaped by the interplay between timber employment, the public sector, and a Baton Rouge commuter population that finds St. Helena’s very low housing costs and rural character appealing despite the 50-mile commute. The 21st Judicial District Court serves three Florida Parishes including St. Helena, with St. Helena matters filed at the Greensburg courthouse.
A Very Small Market with a Favorable Commuter Dynamic
St. Helena Parish’s proximity to Baton Rouge — approximately 50 miles via LA-16 and I-12 — creates a commuter dynamic that is very favorable for landlords in a market with such limited inventory. State government employees, healthcare workers, LSU faculty and staff, and other Baton Rouge workers who choose St. Helena Parish for its rural character, lower housing costs, and quality of life bring Baton Rouge-benchmarked wages to a market where rents of $400-$625 per month are common. The income-to-rent ratio for a Baton Rouge government employee commuting to St. Helena Parish is extremely favorable. Verify income from Baton Rouge employers exactly as you would any employer — the distance of the commute does not change the verification process.
Louisiana Law and the Eviction Process in St. Helena Parish
All St. Helena Parish evictions are filed in the 21st Judicial District Court, St. Helena Parish Division, 130 Sitman Street, Greensburg, LA 70441, phone (225) 222-4514. The 21st JDC serves Livingston, Tangipahoa, and St. Helena parishes; St. Helena matters are filed at the Greensburg 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 St. Helena 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 21st Judicial District Court at (225) 222-4514 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.
