East Baton Rouge Eviction Process: A Step-by-Step Landlord Guide

Name: Lafayette Process Servers LLC
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Evicting a tenant in East Baton Rouge Parish is a strict legal procedure. For landlords, understanding the East Baton Rouge Eviction Process: A Step-by-Step Landlord Guide is vital. In fact, the courts in Baton Rouge—whether it’s City Court, the 19th JDC, or a Justice of the Peace—do not have patience for landlord mistakes. A simple error on your 5-Day Notice to Vacate or filing in the wrong jurisdiction can get your entire case dismissed.

Consequently, you lose time, money, and another month of rental income.

As your local legal support experts, Baton Rouge Process Servers (Lafayette Process Servers LLC) has created this master guide. Below, we walk you through the exact steps to evict a tenant in East Baton Rouge, provide the PDF forms you need, and explain how to ensure your paperwork stands up in court.

Key Takeaways 🔑

The 5-Day Notice is Step 1: You cannot file a lawsuit until you have legally served the “Notice to Vacate” and waited five full business days.
Jurisdiction Matters: East Baton Rouge is complex. You must file in Baton Rouge City Court (if inside city limits), a Justice of the Peace court, or the 19th JDC depending on the property address and lease amount.
Proper Service is Critical: “Tacking” the notice on the door is only allowed if you first attempt personal service. Therefore, a professional Affidavit of Service is your best defense against a tenant claiming they “never got it.”
We Can Help: We serve the 5-Day Notice and can act as your Courthouse Runner to file your suit at the correct court.

Step 1: The “Notice to Vacate” (Do This First) 📝

Before you go to the courthouse, you must give the tenant a formal warning. This is usually the 5-Day Notice to Vacate (for non-payment of rent).

The “Gold Standard” Rule: You must give the tenant five business days to pay or leave. Importantly, you do not count the day of delivery, weekends, or legal holidays.

How to Serve It: You cannot just text this notice. Louisiana law requires you to:

Hand it to the tenant personally.
Hand it to a person of suitable age living at the home.
Only if those fail, post it securely on the door (“Tacking”).

Why Hire a Pro? If you tack it to the door yourself, the tenant can deny seeing it. However, when we serve it, we provide a notarized Affidavit of Service. This proves to the judge that you followed the law perfectly.

Helpful Resources & PDF Downloads 📥

Start your eviction with the correct forms.

Step 2: Filing the “Rule for Possession” (The Lawsuit) ⚖️

If the tenant is still there after the five days, you must file a “Rule for Possession” (eviction suit) at the courthouse.

Where do I file in East Baton Rouge? This is where many landlords get confused.

Baton Rouge City Court: For properties inside the Baton Rouge city limits.
Justice of the Peace (JP) Courts: For properties in Zachary, Central, St. George, or unincorporated areas (depending on the specific Ward).
19th Judicial District Court: Generally for commercial evictions or claims exceeding the limits of the lower courts.

How We Help: Don’t waste hours figuring out which court to use or waiting in line at the Clerk’s office. Our Courthouse Runners file documents at the 19th JDC and City Court daily. We ensure your “Rule for Possession” is filed correctly the first time.

Step 3: The Court Hearing & Warrant

Once filed, the court will set a hearing date. The Constable or a private process server (like us) must serve the tenant with the “Rule for Possession” to notify them of the trial.

At the Hearing: Bring your lease, a copy of the 5-Day Notice, and—most importantly—your Affidavit of Service proving the notice was delivered. If the judge rules in your favor, the tenant has 24 hours to vacate.

The Warrant for Possession: If they still don’t leave, you must pay for a “Warrant for Possession.” This authorizes the Constable to physically remove the tenant and change the locks.

Hear it from the Expert: Avoiding Eviction Mistakes 🎬

transcript-How to Evict a Tenant in Baton Rouge_ A Landlord’s Guide (Step-by-Step)

What Our Clients Say ⭐

“We have rental units in Spanish Town and Mid City. Baton Rouge Process Servers handles all our 5-Day Notices. They know exactly how to document the service so we never have issues in City Court. Highly recommended.” Mike D– Property Manager, Baton Rouge

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I change the locks before the court order?

A: No. This is an illegal “self-help” eviction. You can be sued for damages. You must follow the full legal process through the court.

Q: How much does it cost to file an eviction in Baton Rouge?

A: Filing fees vary by court. For Baton Rouge City Court, it is typically around $160+ depending on the number of defendants. This does not include the cost of serving the initial 5-Day Notice.

Q: What if my property is in Zachary or Central?

A: You likely need to file with the local Justice of the Peace for that ward, or the Zachary City Court. Our team operates parish-wide and can help you determine the correct jurisdiction.

Stop Losing Rent. Start Your Eviction Correctly. ✅

Don’t let a bad tenant stay because of a paperwork error. Instead, let our professional team handle the service and filing.

Contact us today at (225) 243-9669 or upload your 5-Day Notice for immediate service.

About the Author

Scott Frank is the founder of Lafayette Process Servers LLC (operating as Baton Rouge Process Servers). With over 20 years of experience, he is an expert in Louisiana landlord-tenant law and the specific procedures of the 19th JDC and Baton Rouge City Court.

⚠️ Disclaimer:

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Therefore, you should consult with a qualified Louisiana attorney for your specific case. We are not lawyers; we are professional process servers.

The East Baton Rouge Eviction Process: A Step-by-Step Guide for Landlords