Landlord Rules in Mississippi: Renting Out Property (2026)
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Mississippi · Last updated 2026-05-18
Renting out residential property in Mississippi runs on Mississippi's own landlord-tenant code, not a generic national framework. Two anchors set the tone: the security-deposit return deadline ((see state code)) and the entry-notice rule ((see state code)). This guide walks the Mississippi-specific registration, disclosure, deposit, entry, termination, eviction, and fair-housing rules a landlord needs.
Key Considerations
Mississippi treats unit access and month-to-month termination as separate notice problems. On access: consult the relevant state agency On termination of a periodic tenancy: 30 days
If you let property in Mississippi, two threshold compliance points apply before move-in. Registration or licensing status: No state-level statute. Governed by common law / municipal ordinance / case law as applicable. Security-deposit treatment: Not specified in state statutes. Refund window after surrender: consult the relevant state agency
Mississippi requires a specific pre-suit notice and then a court action to remove a tenant. To commence an eviction under Section 89-8-31, the landlord shall file: (a) A sworn affidavit or complaint, based upon the terms of the rental agreement, that: (i) States the facts requiring the removal of the tenant; (ii) Identifies the address of the dwelling unit and, if applicable, the amount of rent and any additional fees owed; and (b) (i) A copy of the written notice of breach delivered to the tenant pursuant to Section 89-8-13; or (ii) A copy of the written notice to terminate the tenancy delivered to the tenant pursuant to Sections 89-8-17 and 89-8-19. Fair-housing exposure is a separate, parallel risk. Complaints are filed with the state agency website
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Relevant Documents
A Mississippi landlord packet typically pulls from state-specific forms: a residential lease that reflects Mississippi disclosure rules, the statutory entry-notice template, the state-specific deposit-receipt and itemized-deduction form, and the pre-suit eviction notice the state requires.
Landlord's Rules and Regulations
A supplementary document to the lease that outlines specific rules for the property, such as quiet hours, guest policies, and maintenance responsibilities.
Move-In/Move-Out Inspection Checklist
A document that records the condition of the rental property before the tenant moves in and after they move out, which helps determine if any damage occurred during the tenancy.
Notice of Entry Form
A document used by landlords to notify tenants of their intent to enter the rental property, typically required by state law with specific advance notice periods.
Rental Application Form
A form used to collect information about potential tenants, including employment history, income, references, and authorization for background and credit checks.
Residential Lease Agreement
A legally binding contract between a landlord and tenant that outlines the terms and conditions of the rental arrangement, including rent amount, security deposit, lease duration, and other important provisions.
Security Deposit Receipt
A document acknowledging the landlord's receipt of the security deposit, including the amount, date received, and where the deposit will be held.
Relevant Laws
Mississippi Residential Landlord and Tenant Act
This is the primary law governing landlord-tenant relationships in Mississippi. It outlines the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants, including lease requirements, security deposit limits, and eviction procedures. As a landlord in Mississippi, you must comply with these regulations when renting your property.
Security Deposit Limitations
Mississippi law does not set a specific limit on how much you can charge for a security deposit. However, you must return the deposit within 45 days after the tenant moves out, along with an itemized list of any deductions. Failure to comply can result in the tenant being awarded damages.
Fair Housing Act
This federal law prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. As a landlord in Mississippi, you must ensure your tenant screening process and rental policies comply with these anti-discrimination provisions.
Landlord's Duty to Maintain Premises
Mississippi law requires landlords to maintain rental properties in compliance with applicable building and housing codes that materially affect health and safety. You must make all necessary repairs to keep the premises in a habitable condition and maintain all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, and air conditioning systems.
Eviction Procedures
Mississippi requires landlords to follow specific legal procedures for evicting tenants. You must provide proper notice (typically 3 days for nonpayment of rent), file an eviction lawsuit, and obtain a court order before removing a tenant. Self-help evictions, such as changing locks or shutting off utilities, are illegal.
Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
Federal law requires landlords of properties built before 1978 to disclose known information about lead-based paint hazards before leasing to tenants. You must provide an EPA-approved information pamphlet and include specific disclosure language in your lease agreement.
Regional Variances
Northern Mississippi
Oxford has stricter rental inspection requirements than most Mississippi cities. Landlords must register rental properties and pass annual inspections. The city also enforces noise ordinances that specifically target rental properties near the University of Mississippi campus, with higher fines for landlords who receive multiple complaints.
Tupelo requires landlords to obtain a privilege license before renting property. The city also has specific requirements for rental property maintenance, including more frequent exterior inspections in historic districts.
Central Mississippi
Jackson has a Rental Housing Code that requires landlords to register properties and pay annual fees. The city conducts more frequent inspections in designated revitalization zones. Jackson also has specific lead paint disclosure requirements that exceed state standards for properties built before 1978.
Madison has stricter zoning regulations that limit the number of unrelated individuals who can live in a single rental unit. The city also requires landlords to conduct background checks on potential tenants and maintain those records for inspection.
Gulf Coast Region
Biloxi has special flood zone requirements for rental properties. Landlords must provide tenants with flood history information and maintain additional insurance. The city also has specific regulations for short-term vacation rentals, including higher licensing fees and occupancy taxes.
Gulfport requires rental properties to meet enhanced hurricane building codes. Landlords must also provide tenants with emergency evacuation plans. The city has stricter regulations on security deposits, requiring them to be held in Mississippi banks with interest accruing to the tenant.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Confirm registration or rental-license status at the state and city level
Before listing days after startingNo state-level statute. Governed by common law / municipal ordinance / case law as applicable.
Calculate the security deposit so it stays under the legal ceiling
Before signing days after startingNot specified in state statutes.
Issue the required disclosures and keep a signed acknowledgment
At lease signing days after starting(consult the state code)
Give the legally required notice before ending a month-to-month
Ongoing days after starting30 days
Build the statutory entry notice into every showing, repair, and inspection
As needed days after starting(consult the state code)
Serve the required pre-suit notice and then file in the correct court
At move-out days after startingTo commence an eviction under Section 89-8-31, the landlord shall file: (a) A sworn affidavit or complaint, based upon the terms of the rental agreement, that: (i) States the facts requiring the removal of the tenant; (ii) Identifies the address of the dwelling unit and, if applicable, the amount of rent and any additional fees owed; and (b) (i) A copy of the written notice of breach delivered to the tenant pursuant to Section 89-8-13; or (ii) A copy of the written notice to terminate the tenancy delivered to the tenant pursuant to Sections 89-8-17 and 89-8-19.
Close out the deposit after surrender within the statutory clock
If eviction needed days after starting(consult the state code)
Keep written records of screening, denial, and renewal decisions for fair-housing review
Ongoing days after startingThe agency intake page is the state agency website
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Confirm registration or rental-license status at the state and city level | No state-level statute. Governed by common law / municipal ordinance / case law as applicable. | - | Before listing |
| Calculate the security deposit so it stays under the legal ceiling | Not specified in state statutes. | - | Before signing |
| Issue the required disclosures and keep a signed acknowledgment | (consult the state code) | - | At lease signing |
| Give the legally required notice before ending a month-to-month | 30 days | - | Ongoing |
| Build the statutory entry notice into every showing, repair, and inspection | (consult the state code) | - | As needed |
| Serve the required pre-suit notice and then file in the correct court | To commence an eviction under Section 89-8-31, the landlord shall file: (a) A sworn affidavit or complaint, based upon the terms of the rental agreement, that: (i) States the facts requiring the removal of the tenant; (ii) Identifies the address of the dwelling unit and, if applicable, the amount of rent and any additional fees owed; and (b) (i) A copy of the written notice of breach delivered to the tenant pursuant to Section 89-8-13; or (ii) A copy of the written notice to terminate the tenancy delivered to the tenant pursuant to Sections 89-8-17 and 89-8-19. | - | At move-out |
| Close out the deposit after surrender within the statutory clock | (consult the state code) | - | If eviction needed |
| Keep written records of screening, denial, and renewal decisions for fair-housing review | The agency intake page is the state agency website | - | Ongoing |
Frequently Asked Questions
consult the state code. Source: (see state code).
consult the state code. Source: (see state code).
To commence an eviction under Section 89-8-31, the landlord shall file: (a) A sworn affidavit or complaint, based upon the terms of the rental agreement, that: (i) States the facts requiring the removal of the tenant; (ii) Identifies the address of the dwelling unit and, if applicable, the amount of rent and any additional fees owed; and (b) (i) A copy of the written notice of breach delivered to the tenant pursuant to Section 89-8-13; or (ii) A copy of the written notice to terminate the tenancy delivered to the tenant pursuant to Sections 89-8-17 and 89-8-19.
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