Mississippi Tenant Rights Guide

Last updated: April 2026

Mississippi has no rent control. The state's landlord-tenant law is minimal — Mississippi is one of the few states without an implied warranty of habitability in statute and without the URLTA framework. Tenant protections are limited; knowing your lease terms is essential.

Check your address to see what tenant protections apply to your rental.

Mississippi at a Glance

Rent control: None
Statewide rent cap: None — landlords can raise rent by any amount
Preemption: Mississippi has no rent control law and no city has enacted one. Mississippi has not adopted the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act — its landlord-tenant law is among the least comprehensive in the country.

What Protections Mississippi Tenants Do Have

Even without rent control, Mississippi law gives renters meaningful rights in these areas:

Security Deposit

Mississippi has no specific statute governing security deposit return timelines or procedures. Your deposit rights are primarily determined by your lease terms. Keep a copy of your move-in condition checklist.

Notice to Terminate

Mississippi requires 30 days' written notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy (Miss. Code § 89-8-19).

Habitability

Mississippi does not have a statutory implied warranty of habitability. However, landlords can be held liable under common law if they lease a unit they know is in a dangerous, defective condition. Local housing codes may provide additional recourse.

Eviction Process

Landlords must provide written notice (3 days for nonpayment) and then file for eviction through the justice court. Self-help eviction is prohibited, though protections are less formalized than in most states (Miss. Code § 89-7-27).

Retaliation

Mississippi has no specific anti-retaliation statute for tenants. Document everything in writing and consult legal aid if your landlord takes action after you raise a complaint.

Major Cities in Mississippi

Jackson — No rent control; Mississippi state law applies.
Gulfport — No rent control; Mississippi state law applies.
Biloxi — No rent control; Mississippi state law applies.
Hattiesburg — No rent control; Mississippi state law applies.

Mississippi Tenant Resources

These organizations offer free or low-cost help to Mississippi renters:

Mississippi Center for Legal Services — Free civil legal aid for low-income residents of South Mississippi, including housing cases.
North Mississippi Rural Legal Services — Free legal help for low-income residents of North and Central Mississippi, including eviction defense.
Mississippi Bar – Lawyer Referral Service — Connects tenants with attorneys who handle landlord-tenant disputes statewide.

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