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:
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.
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
Use the Address Checker →We'll email you if the rent cap, coverage rules, or tenant protections change — no spam, unsubscribe any time.