Louisiana Mandatory Rental Disclosures

1. Lead-Based Paint Disclosure

If this property was built before 1978, the following applies:

• Month2Month will disclose any known lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards in the property prior to lease execution.
• Month2Month will provide all available records and reports pertaining to lead-based paint in the property.
• The tenant will receive a copy of the EPA-approved pamphlet "Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home."

For more information: National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (5323) or www.epa.gov/lead.

2. Security Deposit

Deposit Limits

Louisiana law does not impose a statutory cap on the amount a landlord may collect as a security deposit. The deposit amount will be specified in your lease agreement.

Permitted Uses

Your security deposit may be used for: unpaid rent; repair of damages to the premises caused by the tenant beyond normal wear and tear; and other charges owed by the tenant under the lease agreement.

Return of Deposit

Pursuant to Louisiana Civil Code Article 2926.1, the landlord must return the security deposit within thirty (30) days after the termination of the lease and the tenant's vacating the premises, or provide an itemized statement of any amounts retained. If the landlord fails to return the deposit or provide an itemized statement within thirty days, the landlord forfeits the right to retain any portion of the deposit and may be liable for penalties.

Itemized Statement

If any portion of the deposit is retained, Month2Month will provide an itemized statement of all deductions, including the nature and cost of each repair or charge, and return the remaining balance.

Disputes

If you dispute any deduction, contact Month2Month in writing within 7 days. If the dispute cannot be resolved, you may file a claim in the appropriate Louisiana court.

3. Owner and Property Manager Information

Your lease agreement contains the specific owner information, property manager contact information, emergency maintenance contact, and the person authorized to receive service of process for your property. Month2Month serves as the property manager for all properties in our portfolio.

Louisiana law requires that the landlord or authorized agent be identified in the lease. The landlord's name and address, or the name and address of the person authorized to manage the premises and to receive notices and demands on behalf of the owner, will be provided in your lease agreement.

General Contact: [email protected]

4. Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Louisiana law requires that all residential rental properties be equipped with operable smoke alarms. All Month2Month rental properties are equipped with smoke alarms installed in compliance with Louisiana law, including placement in each sleeping room and on every level of the dwelling.

Louisiana also requires carbon monoxide detectors in residential dwellings that contain a fuel-burning heater or appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage, pursuant to LA R.S. 51:2281.

Tenant Responsibilities

• Do not disable, disconnect, cover, or tamper with any smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector. This is a violation of Louisiana law.
• Test all devices monthly by pressing the test button.
• Report immediately if any device is chirping, not functioning, or missing.
• Do not remove batteries.
• If you hear the carbon monoxide alarm sound continuously, evacuate immediately and call 911.

Month2Month is responsible for ensuring all devices are operable at the beginning of each tenancy and for maintaining them throughout, including replacing batteries and units as needed.

5. Mold Disclosure

Mold can cause health problems, especially for people with allergies, asthma, or weakened immune systems. Louisiana's warm, humid climate makes mold prevention especially important. You have a right to know about mold in your rental unit and how to prevent it.

Month2Month is not aware of any mold in the rental property that exceeds permissible exposure limits or poses a health threat at the time of your lease. If mold is discovered during your tenancy, Month2Month will take appropriate remediation action.

Tenant Responsibilities to Prevent Mold

1. Ventilate your home: Open windows regularly when weather permits, use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens, and ensure air circulation. Louisiana's humidity makes ventilation critical.
2. Control moisture: Wipe up spills and leaks immediately, do not let water accumulate, and report any leaks or water damage to Month2Month immediately.
3. Use heating and air conditioning: Maintain reasonable temperatures and use climate control systems to reduce humidity. Keep interior humidity below 60%.
4. Clean regularly: Regular cleaning prevents mold from establishing itself.
5. Report problems immediately: If you see mold, smell musty odors, or notice water damage, report it to Month2Month right away.

Louisiana law requires landlords to maintain rental properties in habitable condition. If mold develops due to landlord negligence (such as failure to repair leaks), the landlord is responsible for remediation.

6. Bed Bug Disclosure

Month2Month provides information about bed bugs to all tenants as a matter of best practice and habitability.

Identification

Bed bugs have six legs and flat bodies about 1/4 inch long, ranging from red-brown to copper colored. They do not fly but move quickly over surfaces. They hide in mattress seams, box springs, bed frames, headboards, furniture crevices, baseboards, and wall cracks. They feed on human blood at night.

Signs of Infestation

Look for small blood stains on sheets, dark spots (excrement) on mattresses or walls, shed skins, and a sweet musty odor. Bites may appear as red, itchy welts in a line or cluster, though some people do not react.

Prevention

• Inspect your mattress, box spring, and bed frame regularly.
• When traveling, inspect hotel rooms and luggage before returning home.
• Do not bring used mattresses or upholstered furniture into the home without thorough inspection.
• Reduce clutter to eliminate hiding places.

Month2Month has no knowledge of any bed bug infestation in your specific rental unit. If Month2Month becomes aware of bed bug infestation during your tenancy, you will be notified immediately.

7. Flood Hazard and Insurance Disclosure

Pursuant to Louisiana R.S. 9:2941, the lessor of immovable property located in a designated flood zone must disclose in writing to the lessee that the property is located in a flood zone area. If your property is located in a FEMA-designated special flood hazard area, this information will be disclosed in your lease agreement.

Flood Insurance

The property owner's insurance policy does NOT cover your personal property in the event of a flood. You are strongly encouraged to obtain flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private flood insurer to protect your belongings. Flood insurance typically has a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect.

Flood Preparedness

• Know your property's flood zone designation — ask Month2Month or visit FEMA's flood map service at https://msc.fema.gov/portal.
• Keep important documents and valuables elevated or in waterproof containers.
• Know your evacuation routes — Louisiana has mandatory evacuation zones for hurricanes.
• Do not walk, swim, or drive through floodwaters — six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of water can sweep a vehicle away.
• Sign up for local emergency alerts through your parish office of emergency preparedness.

After a Flood

• Do not return to the property until authorities have declared it safe.
• Document all damage with photographs before cleanup.
• Contact Month2Month immediately to report flooding or water damage.
• Be alert for mold growth, which can begin within 24-48 hours in Louisiana's humidity.

8. Hurricane Preparedness

Tenant Responsibilities During Hurricane Season

• Prepare an emergency kit: Water (one gallon per person per day for at least three days), non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, first aid kit, important documents in waterproof container, cash, and a battery-powered or hand-crank radio.
• Know your evacuation zone and route: Contact your parish office of emergency preparedness or visit the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) at https://gohsep.la.gov.
• Secure outdoor items: Bring patio furniture, potted plants, and any loose items inside before a storm. Secure trash cans and other items that could become projectiles.
• If ordered to evacuate, do so immediately. Failure to evacuate during a mandatory evacuation order may put your life at risk and can hinder rescue operations.
• Do not return until authorities clear the area. Downed power lines, contaminated water, and structural damage pose serious post-storm hazards.

Property Damage During Storms

Contact Month2Month as soon as safely possible after a storm to report any damage. Document all damage with photographs. If the property is rendered uninhabitable by storm damage, Louisiana Civil Code Article 2715 provides that the lease may be dissolved if the leased thing is totally destroyed or so damaged that it cannot be repaired.

9. Domestic Violence Protections

Right to Terminate Lease Early

Pursuant to LA R.S. 9:3261.1, a tenant who is a victim of domestic abuse, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking may terminate the lease upon providing written notice to the landlord along with supporting documentation, such as a copy of a protective order or a police report.

Protection from Eviction

A landlord may not evict a tenant solely because the tenant is a victim of domestic violence or because of incidents of domestic violence that occurred on the premises.

Right to Request Lock Changes

A tenant who is a victim of domestic violence may request that the landlord change the locks to the dwelling unit. Month2Month will comply with such requests promptly upon receipt of qualifying documentation.

Confidentiality

Month2Month will maintain the confidentiality of any information provided by a tenant who is a victim. Documentation provided will be kept in a secure file and will not be disclosed to third parties except as required by law.

Resources

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (TTY: 1-800-787-3224)
• Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence: 1-888-411-1333
• National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
• Louisiana 211 (crisis referral): Dial 2-1-1

10. Furnished Property Disclosure

All Month2Month rental properties are provided fully furnished. All furniture, appliances, fixtures, and household items in the property are the property of Month2Month or the property owner and are provided for your use during the term of your lease.

Your Responsibilities

• Maintain all furnished items in the same condition as received, allowing for ordinary wear and tear.
• Use all items for their intended purpose only.
• Do not remove any furnished items from the property.
• Report any damage to furnished items within 48 hours of discovery.
• Do not repair or replace items yourself without prior written approval.

Damage vs. Normal Wear and Tear

Replacement Responsibility

• Tenant-caused damage: Tenant is responsible for the cost of repair or replacement (at depreciated value) of items damaged beyond normal wear and tear. Costs may be deducted from the security deposit.
• Missing items: Tenant is responsible for full replacement cost.
• Normal wear items: Month2Month replaces items that reach end-of-life through normal use.
• Appliance malfunction: If an appliance fails due to normal use or age, Month2Month is responsible for repair or replacement.

Cleaning Standards

The property must be returned in the same level of cleanliness as at move-in. Maintain the kitchen, bathrooms, floors, furniture, and linens in clean condition throughout your tenancy. If professional cleaning is required beyond what is attributable to normal wear and tear, cleaning costs may be deducted from the security deposit.

Inventory

A detailed furniture and household inventory checklist will be provided at move-in. Month2Month will document the condition of all items through photography. You will receive a copy of the move-in condition report.

11. Tenant Rights and Responsibilities

Your Rights Under Louisiana Law

1. Habitable Housing: Pursuant to LA Civil Code Art. 2696, the lessor is bound to deliver the thing in good condition and to maintain it in a condition suitable for the purpose for which it was leased, including making necessary repairs during the lease.
2. Privacy: Your landlord must provide reasonable notice before entering your unit (except in emergencies) and may only enter for specific lawful purposes.
3. Return of Security Deposit: Your deposit must be returned within 30 days after the termination of the lease and your vacating the premises, with an itemized statement of any deductions. (LA R.S. 9:3251)
4. Freedom from Discrimination: You cannot be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, familial status, or age pursuant to the Louisiana Equal Housing Opportunity Act (LA R.S. 51:2601 et seq.) and the federal Fair Housing Act.
5. Freedom from Retaliation: Your landlord cannot retaliate against you for exercising your legal rights, including reporting code violations or requesting repairs.
6. Repairs and Maintenance: The landlord is bound to make repairs that become necessary during the lease, unless the damage was caused by the tenant's fault. (LA Civil Code Art. 2691, 2693)
7. Quiet Enjoyment: You are entitled to the peaceful possession and use of the leased property. (LA Civil Code Art. 2682)
8. Right to Withhold Rent / Repair and Deduct: Under certain circumstances and after proper notice, you may have the right to seek judicial remedies if the landlord fails to make necessary repairs that affect habitability.

Your Responsibilities

1. Pay rent in full and on time.
2. Keep the unit clean and sanitary.
3. Avoid damaging the property beyond normal wear and tear.
4. Promptly report maintenance issues, leaks, mold, pests, or safety hazards.
5. Allow reasonable access for repairs and inspections with proper notice.
6. Comply with all lease terms including occupancy limits, pet policies, and use restrictions.
7. Avoid creating nuisances or disturbing other residents.
8. Provide proper notice before moving out and return the property in clean condition.
9. Use the property only for the purpose for which it was leased. (LA Civil Code Art. 2717)

Resources

• Louisiana Attorney General — Consumer Protection: www.ag.state.la.us
• Louisiana State Bar Association Lawyer Referral: www.lsba.org
• Southeast Louisiana Legal Services: www.slls.org
• Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
• Fair Housing Hotline: 1-800-669-9777