§3330. Lessor's right to protect and preserve leased property

A. Notwithstanding the prohibition against self-help repossession in R.S. 9:3329 and under other applicable Louisiana laws, a lessor shall have the right to take possession of leased property wherever it may be found if all of the following conditions are satisfied:

(1) The lessor has knowledge or has the reasonable belief that the lessee has breached his obligations under the lease to maintain insurance on the leased property, or to keep the leased property constantly repaired and in good working order, or to protect and preserve the leased property, or to use the leased property in a proper and lawful manner, and the leased property is then placed in a position of jeopardy of loss, damage, destruction, or seizure.

(2) The lessee is in default under his payment or non-monetary obligations under the lease.

(3) The lessor has commenced a summary proceeding against the lessee before a court of competent jurisdiction seeking an ex parte order authorizing the lessor to proceed pursuant to this Section. The judge shall sign such an ex parte order only after the lessor has completed all of the following:

(a) Posted a bond.

(b) Executed an affidavit under oath attesting to the facts required under R.S. 9:3330(A)(1) and (A)(2).

(c) Presented to the court all documents necessary to prove that the plaintiff is the lessor and owner of the leased property. Presentation of a certified copy of the lease agreement or an extract of the lease that has been recorded in the manner provided under R.S. 9:3342, shall be sufficient proof for purposes of this Section.

B. If all conditions of R.S. 9:3330(A) are satisfied, the lessor or the lessor's agent or agents may take possession of the leased property, as well as any of the lessee's personal property contained therein or attached thereto, wherever the property may be found, provided the possession is obtained in a peaceable manner without breach of the peace.

C. A lessor who has taken possession of leased property pursuant to R.S. 9:3330(B) shall immediately give notice of the taking to the lessee at such address as specified in the lease or at the lessee's last known address, if different, by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested.

D. Within forty-eight hours after repossession of the leased property, the lessor shall deposit the property into the registry of the court through the sheriff of the parish in which suit is brought.

E. The lessee shall have twenty-one calendar days from the date of the lessor's taking possession of the leased property to reclaim any of the lessee's personal property contained therein or attached thereto.

F. Within seven calendar days following delivery of the leased property to the sheriff, the lessor shall elect between the two remedies provided in R.S. 9:3318(A).

G. If the lessor elects not to cancel the lease and to collect accelerated future rental payments and other charges due and owing under the lease, as provided under R.S. 9:3319, the sheriff shall retain possession of the leased property until such time as:

(1) The lessee satisfies his obligations in full to pay accelerated future rental payments and other amounts due and owing under the lease to the lessor, or

(2) The court shall release the leased property to the lessee on the lessee's furnishing security in an amount deemed by the court sufficient to protect the rights of the lessor.

H. If the lessor elects to cancel the lease as provided under R.S. 9:3320 through 3322, the sheriff shall retain the leased property until such time as the lessor obtains a final judgment against the lessee, as provided under R.S. 9:3322.

I. If the lessor elects to cancel the lease as provided in R.S. 9:3330(H) the lessor shall have an additional right to commence an ordinary proceeding against the lessee to recover liquidated damages and other amounts due and owing under the lease, as provided in R.S. 9:3325.

Acts 1985, No. 592, §1, eff. July 13, 1985; Acts 1986, No. 213, §1.