Housing (Tenant Rights)

HB 840 would have revised Mississippi's landlord-tenant law to clarify when tenants can repair rental property defects and seek reimbursement. It required tenants to provide landlords 30 days' written notice of a material defect, stay current on rent, and submit receipts for repairs costing no more than usual market rates. Tenants could also offset repair costs against future rent and must notify other tenants sharing facilities before repairs. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and never became law.

HB 1352 would change Mississippi law to extend the notice period for tenants who miss rent payments. Currently, landlords must give tenants 5 days to pay overdue rent before starting eviction; this bill would increase that to 14 days. It directly affects renters who fall behind on payments and their landlords by providing more time to resolve payment issues. The key change is modifying Section 89-8-13(5)(a) of the Mississippi Code to require a 14-day notice period for nonpayment of rent. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and has not become law.

HB 1369 modifies Mississippi eviction procedures to set strict timelines and protect tenants' rights. It requires eviction notices to be posted on the property door and mailed within 72 hours of filing, mandates court hearings within 14 days, and removes judges' authority to extend the tenant's move-out period beyond seven days after a judgment. Tenants who pay all owed rent by the court-ordered date may stay, and landlords must allow 72 consecutive hours after eviction for tenants to remove belongings. The bill directly affects landlords and tenants in rental disputes across Mississippi.

SB 2328 clarifies eviction procedures for residential tenants and RV park residents in Mississippi. It requires landlords to provide tenants 72 hours after a court-ordered removal to retrieve personal property, and mandates law enforcement to physically remove occupants (not just post notices) to hand possession to landlords. The bill also establishes specific rules for RV park removals, allowing owners to remove residents for certain violations but prohibiting removal based on race, disability, or other protected characteristics. Tenants must still be given access to their property during the 72-hour period following removal.