No Rent Control or Caps
- No Rent Control:Â Mississippi does not have any rent control laws at the state or local level. Landlords can raise rent by any amount and as frequently as they choose, provided they follow the legal notice requirements.
- No Statewide Caps:Â There are no statutory limits or caps on how much a landlord can increase rent at lease renewal or between lease terms.
Notice Requirements
- Month-to-Month Leases: Landlords must provide tenants with at least 30 days’ written notice before a rent increase takes effect.
- Fixed-Term Leases: Rent cannot be increased during the active lease period unless the lease specifically allows it. At the end of the lease term, landlords can raise the rent, but must give at least 30 days’ written notice before the new rate applies.
- Week-to-Week Leases:Â A 7-day written notice is required for rent increases.
Legal Protections for Tenants
- No Increases During Lease:Â For fixed-term leases (e.g., a one-year lease), the rent amount cannot be changed mid-term unless the lease agreement explicitly permits it.
- Retaliation and Discrimination:Â Landlords cannot raise rent as retaliation against tenants for exercising legal rights (such as requesting repairs or reporting violations) or for discriminatory reasons (race, religion, national origin, etc.).
- Written Notice:Â All rent increases must be communicated in writing. Verbal notice is not sufficient under Mississippi law.
Challenging a Rent Increase
- No Formal Dispute Process:Â Mississippi law does not provide a formal process for tenants to dispute the amount of a rent increase unless it is retaliatory or discriminatory.
- Negotiation:Â Tenants can try to negotiate with the landlord or choose to move if the new rent is unaffordable.
- Legal Action:Â If a tenant believes a rent increase is retaliatory or discriminatory, they may seek legal assistance.
Table
| Lease Type | Notice Required | Limit on Increase | Can Raise During Lease? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Month-to-Month | 30 days | No | Yes, with notice |
| Fixed-Term | 30 days (at end of term) | No | No (unless lease allows) |
| Week-to-Week | 7 days | No | Yes, with notice |
Key Takeaways
- Landlords in Mississippi have broad discretion to set and raise rents, with no state-imposed caps or frequency limits.
- Proper written notice—30 days for month-to-month and at lease renewal for fixed-term leases—is required.
- Rent increases cannot be retaliatory or discriminatory, but otherwise, there are few restrictions protecting tenants from large or frequent rent hikes.
If you receive a rent increase notice, review your lease and the timing of the notice. If you believe the increase is retaliatory or discriminatory, consider seeking legal advice.
Sources
[1] https://www.steadily.com/blog/how-much-can-a-landlord-raise-rent-in-mississippi
[2] https://www.turbotenant.com/rental-lease-agreement/mississippi/laws/
[3] https://www.hemlane.com/resources/mississippi-rent-control-laws/
[4] https://www.wessonnews.com/post/keeping-your-home-rent-affordable
[5] https://www.steadily.com/blog/rent-increase-laws-regulations-mississippi