Mississippi rules for property managers

Mississippi defines a real estate broker to include anyone who, for a fee, rents, leases, or manages real estate for others. One act for pay is enough to require a license.

Bona fide owners acting on their own property and their regular salaried employees; attorneys; holders of a power of attorney for a specific sale or lease; receivers, trustees, executors, guardians, and people acting under court order; public officers.

Licensees may not commingle money belonging to others with their own and must account for it promptly. Starting July 1, 2026, funds must be deposited in a trust or escrow account by the close of business two banking days after receipt.

The Residential Landlord and Tenant Act sets no maximum deposit. Read on an unofficial copy; the official code (LexisNexis) was not accessible.

Claim deductions by written notice that itemizes each amount. You may use the deposit only for unpaid rent, damage beyond ordinary wear and tear, cleaning at move-out, and other reasonable costs caused by the tenant's default. Return the rest within 45 days. Keeping a deposit in bad faith can add up to $200 in damages on top of actual damages. Read on an unofficial copy; the official code (LexisNexis) was not accessible.

The landlord holds the deposit for the tenant, and the tenant's claim to it comes ahead of the landlord's creditors. The statute does not require interest or a particular account. A licensed broker who holds tenant money for an owner must still use a trust or escrow account. Read on an unofficial copy; the official code (LexisNexis) was not accessible.

We found no Mississippi statute limiting residential late fees. Judges in nonpayment cases must follow the signed rental agreement, and eviction filings may list rent and additional fees owed, so state the late fee clearly in the lease.

We found no Mississippi statute regulating rental application or screening fees.

Mississippi has no rent increase notice statute. During a lease, follow its terms. For month-to-month tenancies, give at least 30 days' written notice (7 days for week-to-week), matching the notice needed to end the tenancy.

We are not aware of any Mississippi city with rent control, but we could not confirm a statute that expressly preempts it.

Deliver written notice (or email or text if the tenant agreed in writing to that method) that the rental agreement will end if rent is not paid within 3 days. Then file a sworn affidavit or complaint with a copy of the notice.

For a material breach, give written notice describing it and stating the agreement ends on a date at least 14 days after receipt unless the tenant fixes it within 14 days. If the same breach happens again within 6 months, you may end the agreement on 14 days' notice with no cure right. No notice is needed for a substantial violation that materially affects health or safety.

Without a fixed term, a tenancy is week to week if rent is paid weekly and month to month otherwise. Either side ends a month-to-month tenancy with written notice at least 30 days before the end date.

File a sworn affidavit or complaint with the notice. Each adjournment is capped at 10 days unless both sides agree, and judgments are signed the same business day. The judge sets move-out 7 days after judgment unless an emergency justifies a different date. Since April 10, 2025, posting the warrant on the door does not execute it; officers must remove occupants. In nonpayment cases, no warrant issues if the tenant pays all sums awarded by the move-out date.

If the tenant leaves by the court-ordered date and leaves belongings, you may dispose of them without further notice. If law enforcement removes the tenant, allow reasonable access for 72 hours to collect belongings, then you may move what is left to the curb, a garbage area, or another agreed spot.

We found no Mississippi statute on landlord entry or advance notice. Put entry rights and notice practices in the lease and give reasonable notice except in emergencies.

Comply with building and housing codes that materially affect health and safety, and keep the unit, plumbing, and heating or cooling in substantially the same condition as at move-in, minus wear and tear. You are not responsible for tenant-caused damage. If you do not fix a material defect within 30 days of written notice, a current tenant may repair it and be reimbursed up to one month's rent, no more than once every 6 months. Read on an unofficial copy; the official code (LexisNexis) was not accessible.

We did not find required Mississippi move-in disclosures. Give the federal lead disclosure for pre-1978 housing, and make sure written rules are given to tenants, since rules adopted later need reasonable notice to be enforced.

We could not confirm a general Mississippi fair housing statute that adds protected classes. Follow the federal Fair Housing Act.

Posting a warrant of removal on the door no longer counts as executing it; officers must remove occupants and put the landlord in possession. Tenants get 72 hours of access to collect belongings after removal. Approved April 10, 2025, effective on passage.

A person who collects utility money under a lease and knowingly fails to pay the utility within 60 days of the bill commits a crime, with penalties scaled to the amount. Approved March 25, 2026, effective on passage.

Revises broker definitions, adds a brokerage agreement definition, and sets the trust deposit deadline at two banking days after receipt.

• Mississippi Center for Justice