Last updated: April 2026
Hattiesburg renters face a minimal statutory framework — Mississippi is one of the few states without a statutory implied warranty of habitability or security deposit return deadline. Your lease and local housing codes are your primary protections as a renter.
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Hattiesburg is the largest city in southern Mississippi and home to the University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University, creating a substantial student rental market. Tenant protections here are governed by state law — and Mississippi provides some of the fewest statutory tenant protections in the country. The state has no implied warranty of habitability in statute, no specific security deposit return timeline, and no anti-retaliation statute. Understanding your lease and using local code enforcement are the most effective tools available to renters in Hattiesburg.
Mississippi has no rent control, and Hattiesburg has enacted no local rent regulation. Landlords may raise rent by any amount at any time. For month-to-month tenants, landlords must provide at least 30 days' written notice before terminating the tenancy or imposing a new rent amount (Miss. Code § 89-8-19). Fixed-term lease rents are set until the lease expires. Because there are no rent increase limits, reviewing your lease renewal terms carefully each year is important.
Mississippi's landlord-tenant law is among the most limited in the country. There is no specific statute governing security deposit return timelines or caps — your deposit rights are primarily determined by your lease. Keep a copy of any move-in condition checklist and all communications with your landlord. Month-to-month tenants must receive 30 days' written notice before a landlord terminates the tenancy (Miss. Code § 89-8-19). Mississippi has no statutory implied warranty of habitability, but landlords may be held liable under common law if they knowingly lease a unit in a dangerous or defective condition. For eviction, landlords must provide written notice (3 days for nonpayment under Miss. Code § 89-7-27) and then file through justice court — self-help eviction is prohibited. There is no specific anti-retaliation statute; document everything in writing.
Mississippi has no statute setting a cap on security deposits or mandating a specific return deadline. This means your deposit rights are governed primarily by what your lease says. When you move out, your landlord should return any deposit not lawfully applied to unpaid rent or documented damages. Because statutory enforcement mechanisms are weak, proactive documentation is critical: photograph every room at move-in and move-out, complete a written move-in checklist, and keep copies of all lease documents. If your landlord improperly withholds your deposit, your primary remedies are a small claims court action based on your lease terms, or assistance from the Mississippi Center for Legal Services.
Mississippi landlords must serve written notice before seeking an eviction — 3 days for nonpayment of rent under Miss. Code § 89-7-27. After the notice period, the landlord must file for eviction through justice court. No tenant may be removed without a court order. Self-help eviction — changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities without a court order — is prohibited, even though Mississippi's protections against it are less formalized than in most states. If your landlord attempts a self-help eviction, document the situation and contact Mississippi Center for Legal Services or North Mississippi Rural Legal Services immediately.
If you need help with a landlord-tenant issue in Hattiesburg, the following organizations can assist:
No. Hattiesburg has no rent control ordinance, and Mississippi has no statewide rent control. Landlords may raise rent by any amount. For month-to-month tenants, at least 30 days' written notice is required before terminating the tenancy or implementing a rent change.
There is no limit on rent increases in Mississippi or Hattiesburg. For month-to-month tenants, landlords should give at least 30 days' notice before a rent increase or termination. Fixed-term lease rents are set until the lease ends.
Mississippi has no statutory deadline for returning security deposits. Your return timeline is governed by your lease. Keep all move-in documentation and written communications. If your landlord improperly keeps your deposit, a small claims court action based on your lease terms is typically the best remedy.
For nonpayment of rent, landlords must give 3 days' written notice under Miss. Code § 89-7-27. After that, the landlord must file for eviction through justice court. You cannot be removed without a court order.
No. Self-help eviction is prohibited in Mississippi, though protections are less formalized than in most states. A landlord cannot change your locks, remove your belongings, or cut off utilities without a court order. Document any such actions and contact Mississippi Center for Legal Services immediately.
Mississippi has no statutory implied warranty of habitability, so your most effective tool is Hattiesburg's local housing code. File a complaint with city code enforcement. Put all repair requests in writing and keep copies. If serious conditions persist, contact Mississippi Center for Legal Services for guidance on common-law remedies.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change; verify current statutes and consult a licensed attorney or legal aid organization for advice specific to your situation.
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