A Landlord's Guide to the New Orleans Eviction Process

Name: Lafayette Process Servers LLC
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Filing for eviction in New Orleans is one of the most stressful challenges a landlord can face. Indeed, the legal process in Orleans Parish is complex and full of pitfalls. In fact, a simple mistake with a notice or a filing at the First City Court can cause a judge to dismiss your case. Consequently, this forces you to start all over while losing another month’s rent.

You don’t have to navigate this alone. As New Orleans’ most trusted legal support experts, Lafayette Process Servers LLC (operating as Metairie Process Servers) has created this complete guide. Not only will we walk you through every step, but we’ll also explain how our professional services ensure your eviction is handled correctly and quickly.

Key Takeaways 🔑

The 5-Day Notice is Mandatory: You cannot file an eviction in New Orleans for non-payment (or other breaches) without first legally delivering a 5-Day Notice to Vacate.
The Court is Key: You must file at the correct court: First City Court (for the East Bank) or Second City Court (for Algiers/West Bank).
Proof is Everything: A professional process server provides a notarized Affidavit of Service. This is your ironclad proof for the judge that you served the notice legally.
Two Serves Required: Ultimately, the eviction process requires two separate services: 1) The 5-Day Notice, and 2) The “Rule for Possession” (the court summons) after you file.

Step 1: The “5-Day Notice to Vacate” (The Critical First Step)

First, you cannot start an eviction without giving the tenant a written 5-Day Notice.

What it is: This is a formal, written document that informs the tenant they have five business days (excluding weekends and holidays) to move out.
How to Serve It: You cannot just text, email, or mail this notice. Instead, Louisiana law requires you to either (1) hand it to the tenant personally or (2) “tack” it securely to their front door.

How We Help (The “Gold Standard” Solution): A tenant’s #1 defense is, “I never got the notice.” However, when you use our team, this defense is impossible. We serve the notice professionally and immediately provide you with a notarized Affidavit of Service. Therefore, you have indisputable, third-party proof for the judge that you served the notice legally.

Step 2: Filing at the Correct Court (First or Second City Court)

After the tenant doesn’t leave, you can then file a “Rule for Possession” (the lawsuit).

This is a critical local expert tip: You must file in the correct court based on your property’s location.

First City Court of New Orleans: (421 Loyola Ave) Handles cases for the East Bank.
Second City Court of New Orleans: (225 Morgan St, Algiers) Handles cases for the West Bank.

How We Help: Don’t waste your day driving downtown and waiting in line. Fortunately, our Courthouse Runners are at these courts daily. You can simply email us your documents, and we will file them for you, often the same day.

Step 3: Serving the “Rule for Possession”

Once you file, the court will set a hearing date. Now, you must legally serve the tenant with this new court paper (the “Rule for Possession”).

How We Help: The Constable or a court-appointed private process server like us must handle this step. Unfortunately, the Constable’s office often has many duties, which can cause delays. On the other hand, our professional process servers are faster and more persistent. Ultimately, we serve the papers immediately and get the Affidavit of Service back to you, ensuring your case moves forward.

Hear it from the Expert: The New Orleans Eviction Process 🎙️

Want a deeper dive? In this episode of our “Paper Trails” podcast, founder Scott Frank breaks down the specific rules for evictions in Orleans Parish, including common landlord mistakes and his experience filing at the **First and Second City Courts**.

transcript-A Landlord’s Guide to the New Orleans Eviction Process (First & Second City Court)

Helpful Resources & PDF Downloads 📥

What Our Clients Say ⭐

“The team at Metairie Process Servers is an essential part of our eviction process. They handle our 5-Day Notices and serve the court papers. Their speed and professionalism at First City Court are unmatched. We don’t file an eviction without them.” – Mike D,Property Manager, New Orleans

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I just change the locks or turn off the utilities?

A: No. This is an illegal “self-help” eviction. You will be sued by the tenant and will lose. You must follow the legal court process.

Q: What is a “waiver of notice” clause?

A: This is a clause in your lease where the tenant “waives” their right to the 5-Day Notice. If you have this, you can skip Step 1 and file in court immediately after rent is late. It’s a powerful tool, so you should check your lease.

Q: Can you handle both the 5-Day Notice and the court paper service?

A: Yes. We are your all-in-one partner. For example, we can deliver the initial notice, file the lawsuit for you, and then serve the final court papers.

Don’t Risk Your Eviction. Call the Experts. ✅

Don’t let a simple mistake cost you another month of rent. Instead, let our team handle the notice, the filing, and the service of process.

Therefore, contact us today at (504) 210-8344 or upload your 5-Day Notice for immediate, professional service.

About the Author

Scott Frank is the founder of Lafayette Process Servers LLC, bringing over 20 years of dedicated experience in Louisiana legal support services. Indeed, he is a recognized expert in service of process and the specific eviction procedures of the New Orleans City Courts.

Owner of Lafayette Process Servers LLC

⚠️ Disclaimer:

This information is for educational purposes only and not legal advice. Consequently, you must consult with a qualified Louisiana attorney for your specific case. Remember, we are not lawyers; we are professional process servers.

A Landlord’s Guide to the New Orleans Eviction Process 📄