Mississippi Rent Control Laws in 2024

Mississippi is one of the many states in the U.S. that does not have any rent control laws. State and local governments in Mississippi are prohibited from enacting rent control ordinances or regulations that would limit how much landlords can raise rents on residential properties. This gives landlords a great deal of flexibility when it comes to increasing rental rates. 

Unlike some other states and local jurisdictions, there are no caps on how high rents can be raised when a lease term ends in Mississippi. The state also does not impose any restrictions on how frequently landlords can raise rents. Landlords have broad discretion in determining rental rates, as long as proper notice and lease terms are followed.

The lack of rent control can present challenges for tenants in many parts of Mississippi, especially in markets where housing costs are surging. Without laws regulating rent increases, some tenants may face very large rent hikes at lease renewal time. However, Mississippi's landlord-tenant laws do provide some basic rights and protections in other aspects of the landlord-tenant relationship.

Rent Control Laws in Mississippi

Mississippi does not have any statewide laws regulating or limiting how much landlords can raise rents. Unlike some other states, Mississippi prohibits cities and counties from enacting rent control ordinances. 

The lack of rent control legislation gives landlords broad discretion when it comes to increasing rental rates. Landlords in Mississippi can raise rents as much as the market will bear as long as proper notice is given to tenants.

There are no statutory caps or limits on rent hikes at the state or local level. Without rent regulations, landlords face few restrictions on raising rents repeatedly or by any desired amount in Mississippi.

The state has consistently chosen not to enact rent stabilization measures that exist in many large cities and counties in other parts of the country. Mississippi law does not require landlords to justify or get approval for rent increases.

Some tenant advocacy groups have called for more regulation and oversight of rental rates and increases in Mississippi. However, legislative efforts to enact rent control laws in the state have not succeeded. For now, Mississippi remains one of the least tenant-friendly states when it comes to rent control protections.

When Can Landlords Raise Rent in Mississippi?

Landlords in Mississippi have broad discretion to raise rents, but they must adhere to some notice requirements outlined in state law. 

For tenants on a fixed-term lease, rent can be increased at the end of the lease term as long as proper notice is given. The landlord must provide advance notice equal to the rental period - so for a standard 1-year lease, 1 month's notice would need to be given before the end of the lease term.

For month-to-month rental agreements, landlords must provide 30 days' written notice in advance of the rent increase going into effect. So if a landlord wanted to raise the rent starting June 1st, they would need to notify the tenant on or before April 30th to meet the 30 day notice requirement.

Mississippi law does not limit how much landlords can raise rents when leases expire or provide additional tenant protections. Landlords have broad discretion to raise rents to market rates when leases end. As long as proper notice is given, landlords can increase rents by any desired amount when a lease term ends or the rental operates on a month-to-month basis.

Rent Increase Notice Requirements in Mississippi

Mississippi law has specific requirements for the amount of notice landlords must provide before increasing rent on tenants.

For month-to-month rental agreements, landlords must give tenants written notice of any rent increase at least 30 days before it takes effect. So if a landlord wants to raise the rent starting on June 1st, they would need to notify the tenant in writing by May 1st to meet the 30-day notice requirement.

For tenants renting under a fixed-term lease, landlords must provide notice of a rent increase equal to the full rental period. For example, if the lease is for one year, rent cannot be increased until the end of the 12-month term. To raise the rent at the end of the lease term, the landlord must notify the tenant with written notice at least 30 days prior to the end of the lease.

If the required notice period for a rent increase is not provided, the landlord typically cannot require the tenant to pay the higher rent amount until the proper notice period has passed. However, the landlord can still provide notice of the increase to take effect at a future date after the required notice period.

The specific requirements for rent increase notice help protect tenants from sudden unreasonable rent hikes by giving them advance warning to adjust their budgets or find alternative housing if needed. Knowing the exact notice landlords must provide for increases is an important aspect of understanding renter's rights in Mississippi.

Frequency of Rent Increases

Mississippi law does not limit how often landlords can raise rents on rental properties. Landlords have full discretion to increase rents as frequently as they choose, as long as proper notice is given. 

There are no statewide restrictions on how soon after beginning a lease term or after a previous rent increase that a landlord can impose another increase. Landlords can raise rents multiple times throughout the term of a lease if they wish. 

The lack of regulation around frequency of rent hikes enables landlords to continuously raise rents over short periods of time. As there are no rent control laws in Mississippi, frequent rent increases of any amount are allowed if appropriate notice is provided.

Tenants have little recourse against repeated rent hikes, even if they make the rental unaffordable. As long as proper procedures are followed, landlords can increase rents every few months if they desire. The state provides no protections related to how soon or how often landlords can raise rents.

Amount of Rent Increases

Mississippi does not impose any limits on the amount that landlords can raise rents for either new or existing tenants. Landlords have full discretion to raise rents by any amount, as long as proper notice is given.

State law does not establish any maximum percentage that rents can be increased from one year to the next. Cities and towns in Mississippi are prohibited from imposing their own rent control regulations that would limit rent increases. As a result, there are effectively no restrictions on the amount landlords can raise rents when renewing a lease or signing new tenants. Even significant rent hikes of 25%, 50% or more are allowed under Mississippi law if the landlord provides advance written notice as required.

The lack of regulation over the amount of rent increases gives landlords broad power over setting rental rates. Tenants have little leverage to negotiate the amount of a rent increase since there are no laws prohibiting large hikes. Some landlords take market conditions into account when raising rents, while others may raise rents due to factors like property improvements or increasing operating expenses. Ultimately, landlords can seek the maximum rent the market will bear since there is no state oversight or limits on the amount rents can be increased in Mississippi.

Tenant Protections Against Rent Hikes

While Mississippi does not have statewide rent control laws that limit how much landlords can raise rents, tenants do have some basic protections against excessive increases under landlord-tenant laws:

No Rent Control

• There are currently no rent control laws at the state or local level in Mississippi. Cities and counties are prohibited from enacting rent stabilization ordinances. 
• Without rent regulations, landlords have broad discretion to raise rents as much as the market will bear with proper notice.

Prohibition on Retaliation

• Landlords are prohibited from retaliating against tenants who complain or request repairs by arbitrarily increasing rent. 
• If a landlord raises rent or takes other retaliatory action shortly after a complaint, the tenant may be able to recover damages or get the increase waived.
• To prove retaliation, tenants need evidence showing the landlord intended to punish them for asserting their rights. Examples could include verbal threats or rent hikes immediately after complaints.
• While this offers some protection, retaliation can be difficult to prove and does not limit how much rents can be increased overall.

So in summary, while Mississippi provides very limited protections for tenants, there are currently no rent control laws restricting how much landlords can raise rents. The lack of regulation gives landlords broad power over setting rental rates.

Landlord-Tenant Laws in Mississippi

Mississippi's landlord-tenant laws outline the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants when it comes to renting residential property. Key provisions of Mississippi's laws include:

Security Deposits

• No limits on the amount landlords can charge for security deposits
• Deposits must be returned within 45 days of lease termination 

Lease Agreements

• Oral rental agreements are considered month-to-month leases
• Written leases cannot have terms longer than 15 years

Rent Payment

• Rent is due on the date specified in the lease 
• 5 day grace period before late fees can be charged

Habitability

• Landlords must maintain habitable living conditions
• Tenants can withhold rent if repairs are not made 

Evictions

• Landlords must give notice before starting eviction proceedings
• Tenants get 10 days to respond to eviction lawsuits

Discrimination

• Landlords cannot refuse to rent based on race, gender, religion, disability, etc.

Retaliation

• Landlords cannot retaliate against tenants who request repairs
• Tenants can recover damages for retaliation

Repairs

• Landlords must make repairs to keep units habitable
• Tenants must give notice of needed repairs

Access

• Landlords must give reasonable notice before entering units
• Tenants cannot unreasonably deny access

Termination

• Fixed term leases end on the last day  
• Month-to-month leases require 30 days notice to terminate

Mississippi's landlord-tenant laws outline basic rights and responsibilities for both parties when renting property in the state. Key provisions govern security deposits, evictions, habitability, discrimination, retaliation, repairs, and lease termination.

Eviction Rules in Mississippi

Mississippi has specific laws and procedures that landlords must follow to legally evict a tenant.

Notice Requirements

Before a landlord can file for eviction, they must properly notify the tenant. For month-to-month leases, landlords must provide at least 30 days' written notice. For fixed term leases, notice must be given at least 30 days before the end of the lease term. 

The notice must clearly state that the tenant must vacate the property by a specific date. Verbal notices are not sufficient in Mississippi.

Court Procedures

If the tenant does not vacate by the deadline after proper notice is given, the landlord can file an eviction lawsuit with the county court. The court will schedule a hearing and notify the tenant of the date.

At the hearing, both parties can present evidence and make their case. If the judge rules in favor of the landlord, they will issue an Order of Eviction giving the tenant a certain number of days to move out. This is usually 3-5 days. 

If the tenant still refuses to leave, the landlord can call the county sheriff who will forcibly remove the tenant and their belongings from the property. The entire eviction process usually takes 4-6 weeks in Mississippi. Tenant evictions in Mississippi are handled at the county level under the jurisdiction of Justice Court judges.

Comparison to Other States 

Mississippi's lack of rent control stands in stark contrast to protections enacted in many other states.  

Rent control laws exist in some form in California, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Oregon among other states. These laws limit how much landlords can raise rents each year, with allowable increases often tied to inflation. For example, in New York City, rent stabilized units can only have rents increased by a set percentage each year determined by a board. 

Many major cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle have local rent control ordinances limiting rent increases within city boundaries. These laws provide important protections for tenants against excessive rent hikes.

Unlike Mississippi, some states also limit how much landlords can charge for security deposits. Mississippi has no caps on security deposit amounts, but other states like Alaska and New Hampshire limit deposits to no more than one or two months rent.

While landlords in Mississippi have broad discretion to raise rents without restriction, the picture is very different in states with rent regulations. Rent control creates much more security for tenants when it comes to predictable housing costs.

The lack of statewide rent control in Mississippi leaves tenants vulnerable to uncontrolled rent hikes. With no oversight or limitations on rent increases, Mississippi law favors landlord interests over tenants in the state's affordable rental housing market.