Mississippi’s landlord-tenant laws strongly favor property owners under the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Miss. Code § 89-8). Renters gain key protections on habitability and notice, while owners retain flexibility in evictions and deposits.
Landlord Duties
Landlords must maintain safe, habitable units compliant with building codes, including working plumbing, heating, and cooling systems—reasonable wear excluded.
They cannot raise rent mid-lease; week-to-week needs 7 days’ notice, month-to-month requires 30 days.
Security deposits must return within 45 days post-move-out, itemized for deductions like unpaid rent or damages.
Tenant Rights and Remedies
Tenants can repair and deduct costs (up to one month’s rent) after 30 days’ written notice of defects, if current on rent and no prior claims in 6 months.
Eviction notices: 3 days for nonpayment, 14 days for lease violations (no cure after repeat offenses within 6 months), 30 days for lease end.
Landlords may only enter for maintenance/emergencies unless lease allows otherwise; retaliation for repair requests is prohibited.
Renting vs. Owning Comparison
These rules promote fairness but give landlords eviction leverage; always document issues in writing.
