La. Civ. Code § Art. 2668
Contract of lease defined
Operative Text
Art. 2668. Contract of lease defined Lease is a synallagmatic contract by which one party, the lessor, binds himself to give to the other party, the lessee, the use and enjoyment of a thing for a term in exchange for a rent that the lessee binds himself to pay. The consent of the parties as to the thing and the rent is essential but not necessarily sufficient for a contract of lease.
Louisiana Civil Code article § Art. 2668 establishes the foundational legal definition of a lease: a mutual contract in which one party (the lessor) agrees to provide use and enjoyment of a property to another party (the lessee) for a set period, in exchange for rent that the lessee agrees to pay. The provision emphasizes that both parties must agree on the specific property and the rent amount as essential elements, though those two elements alone may not be enough to form a legally valid lease. This definition sets the framework for how all lease relationships in Louisiana are interpreted under the Civil Code.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under La. Civ. Code art. § Art. 2668, a lease in Louisiana is understood as a mutual obligation — the lessor commits to providing use and enjoyment of the property, and the lessee commits to paying rent. Compliant operators generally ensure that both the subject property and the rent amount are clearly identified and agreed upon in any lease arrangement. Because the article notes that consent on these two elements is necessary but may not be sufficient, property owners and managers typically document additional terms to ensure a complete and enforceable agreement.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
La. Civ. Code art. § Art. 2668 defines the lease relationship as one of mutual obligations: the lessor must provide use and enjoyment of the property, and the tenant (lessee) must pay the agreed rent. Understanding this foundational definition can be relevant when evaluating whether a valid lease exists or when a dispute arises about the terms of occupancy. Tenants who have questions about whether their arrangement qualifies as a lease under this article may find it helpful to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service familiar with Louisiana Civil Code provisions.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 17, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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