In this study effects of La starting compounds and substrates on the densification of (P $b_{0.92}$L $a_{0.05}$)Ti $O_3$ thin films were investigated. After the heat treatment on platinized silicon at $650^{circ}C$ for 30min thickness of PLT(i) thin films (from La-isopropoxide) shrank by 27%, while 33% reduction occurred for PLT (a) thin films (from La-acetate). These PLT(i) films showed less densified surface microstructure compared to the PLT (a) . Lower shrinkage of the films on platinized silicon than on bare silicon (41% and 40% for PLT (i) and PLT (a) respectively) is attributed to the earlier development of crystallinity in the film, which arrests film densification. In order to maximize sintering before crystallization, heat treatment at $400^{circ}C$ for 3 hours followed by $650^{circ}C$ for 30 min was attempted. This method increased the shrinkage of the PLT (i) and PLT (a) films two times and 1.5 times as much as that observed for the films heat treated at $650^{circ}C$ for 30min, respectively. FTIR results indicated that first pyrolysis in the film is associated with the burning of acetate ligands. Condensation reaction between OHs was found to occur preferentially between $350^{circ}C$ and $450^{circ}C$, whereas majority of polycondensation between ROH-OH appears to occur until $300^{circ}C$ and be completed below $450^{circ}C$.EX>.