Strengthen Louisiana law and provide for a Tenant’s Bill of Rights. About 33% of Louisiana households are rentals, yet we have some of the weakest renters’ protections in the country. At the current minimum wage workers need to work   80+ hours per week to afford the median rent for the state. About one-quarter of Louisiana renters are paying more than  50% of their income on rents. If we ever hope to solve our homelessness and crime crises we must create an environment where people can  thrive with access to adequate and affordable housing. 

We propose consideration of the following changes to protect renters across the state:

• Fee limits--restrict the amount that can be charged for “application fees” and rental deposits

• Prevent the consideration of criminal background

• First come, first served--requires landlords to accept the first application that meets their publicly stated application requirements

• Allow renters to make reasonable repairs and deduct from the cost of rent

•  Protect tenants right to organize a tenants’ union without landlord interference

• Just cause eviction--landlords must adhere to a standard of justification for evictions 

• Adequate notice for rent changes--codify how much notice landlords must provide tenants for any rent payment increases

• Give tenant’s the right of first refusal for any properties that are being sold

• Guarantee a right-to-counsel for renters in housing court

Work with all stakeholders to create a home insurance market that won’t collapse when Louisianians need it most 

Expand programs that allow credits and grants to retrofit and renovate properties to withstand weather catastrophe.