Mississippi Landlord-Tenant Law
Know your rights as a renter in Mississippi. This guide covers security deposits, landlord entry, rent increases, eviction protections, and more under Mississippi law.
Legal basis: Mississippi landlord-tenant law — Mississippi Code
45
Days to Return Deposit
No limit
Max Deposit
No state rule
Entry Notice
Not Required
Deposit Escrow
What Mississippi law says about deposits
Maximum Deposit
No limit
Return Deadline
45 daysafter the tenancy ends, possession is returned and the tenant asks for the deposit
Penalties, interest & late-fee rules under Mississippi law
If your deposit is wrongfully or late returned
Bad-faith retention of the deposit may subject the landlord to actual damages plus statutory damages not to exceed $200 (Miss. Code § 89-8-21(4)). The balance must be returned within 45 days after the tenancy ends, possession is delivered and the tenant demands it (§ 89-8-21(3)).
Interest on your deposit is not required
Grace period
No mandatory grace period
Must be in the lease
Yes — a late fee is only enforceable if it is written into your lease
Your privacy protections
Required Notice Period
No state rule
No Mississippi statute sets entry notice; your lease's terms apply
No Mississippi statute sets how much notice a landlord must give before entering. Your lease's entry terms apply, so check what it says about notice and entry times.
No notice statute; no caps
Legal basis: No Statute
30 days after written notice
Legal basis: Miss. Code §§ 89-8-23, 89-8-15
Narrow: rent increases after a lease ends
Legal basis: Miss. Code § 89-8-17(2)
No statewide early-exit law
Legal basis: No state statute
Self-help illegal
Legal basis: Miss. Code § 89-7-27
Important facts about Mississippi rental law
Mississippi has no limit on security deposits.
Mississippi landlords must return the rest of a deposit within 45 days after the tenancy ends, possession is delivered and the tenant demands it (Miss. Code § 89-8-21).
Mississippi has limited tenant protection laws compared to other states.
Mississippi tenants should document everything in writing due to fewer protections.
Something else? Contact our team
Mississippi does not have a statutory limit on security deposits.
Mississippi landlords must return security deposits within 45 days after you move out (after the tenancy ends, possession is returned and the tenant asks for the deposit).
No Mississippi statute sets how much notice a landlord must give before entering, so your lease's entry terms apply.
Late fees in Mississippi: No statutory cap. No mandatory grace period.
No notice statute; no caps. No Mississippi statute sets how much notice a landlord must give before raising rent. Either side can end a month-to-month tenancy with written notice at least 30 days before the end date (Miss. Code § 89-8-19(3)). After your lease expires the landlord may ask for more rent, as long as it is not retaliation (Miss. Code § 89-8-17(2)). No statewide rent cap. Source: No Statute.
30 days after written notice. Landlord must follow health and safety housing codes and keep the unit, plumbing, and heating or cooling in move-in condition, apart from normal wear (Miss. Code § 89-8-23). Give written notice of a specific, serious defect; the landlord has 30 days to repair it (Miss. Code § 89-8-15(1)). If not repaired, you may fix it and be repaid within 45 days of giving receipts, or subtract the cost from future rent (Miss. Code § 89-8-15(1), (4)). Limits: no more than 1 month's rent or the usual charge, not used in the past 6 months, and you must be current on rent (Miss. Code § 89-8-15). For a serious breach, written notice can end the lease at least 14 days later if not fixed within 14 days (Miss. Code § 89-8-13(3)). Source: Miss. Code §§ 89-8-23, 89-8-15.
Narrow: rent increases after a lease ends. Mississippi has no general ban on retaliation for reporting code violations, asking for repairs or organizing. After a fixed-term lease ends, a landlord may demand a rent increase only if it did not have the dominant purpose of retaliating against you for actions the law authorizes, and the landlord received written notice of each condition you complained about (Miss. Code § 89-8-17(2)). Every duty under the law, including ending a tenancy or removing a tenant, carries an obligation of good faith (Miss. Code § 89-8-9). Landlords and tenants may not agree to waive rights, duties or remedies under the law (Miss. Code § 89-8-5). Source: Miss. Code § 89-8-17(2).
No statewide early-exit law. Mississippi has no statewide law that lets a domestic violence victim end a lease early. A court protection order may be able to order the abuser out of the home. If your home is federally assisted (public housing or a voucher), the federal Violence Against Women Act gives separate protections. A domestic violence hotline (1-800-799-7233) or legal aid can help you plan a safe move. Source: No state statute.
Self-help illegal. Self-help evictions illegal. Court process required. Contact police if locked out. Source: Miss. Code § 89-7-27.
Mississippi tenants have rights including security deposit protections, notice requirements for landlord entry, habitability standards, and protections against retaliation. Use Honestkey to analyze your specific lease against Mississippi law.
Plain-language answers that apply in Mississippi and beyond
Average rent by city
Upload it now and see your first red flags in the free preview.
Check my lease free