La. Admin. Code § LAC 51:XV.123
Dampness and Noxious Odors Prohibited
Operative Text
A. No person shall rent, let, hire out, or allow to be used for a place of sleeping or residence, any portion or apartment of any building, wherein the floor is damp by reason of water from the ground, or which is impregnated or penetrated by an offensive gas or smell prejudicial to health.
LAC § LAC 51:XV.123 prohibits any portion of a building from being rented or used as a sleeping or living space if the floor is damp due to groundwater intrusion or if the space is permeated by a gas or odor that is harmful to health. The rule applies broadly to anyone who rents, leases, or otherwise makes such a space available for residential use. Both moisture-related dampness and noxious odors that pose a health risk are covered conditions that render a space unfit for habitation under this provision.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under LAC § LAC 51:XV.123, compliant property operators generally inspect units for signs of groundwater-related floor dampness and investigate any reports of offensive or health-impairing odors before a unit is occupied or re-let. Operators typically address moisture sources—such as inadequate drainage, foundation seepage, or poor ventilation—before placing a unit back into residential use. Maintaining documentation of inspections and remediation efforts is a common practice among operators seeking to demonstrate ongoing compliance with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
LAC § LAC 51:XV.123 establishes that tenants have a right not to be housed in a space where floors are damp from groundwater or where harmful gases or odors are present. If a tenant believes these conditions exist in their unit, general enforcement paths include reporting the conditions to the local housing or health authority, raising the violation as a defense in relevant legal proceedings, or contacting a tenant-rights organization for information about available remedies. Documenting the conditions—through photographs, written communications with the landlord, or inspection reports—is a step commonly associated with pursuing a complaint under this provision.
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 20, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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