If you’re renting a home or apartment in Mississippi, understanding your rights and your landlord’s obligations regarding rent increases is essential—especially as housing costs fluctuate in 2025.
Mississippi’s rental laws are relatively simple compared to other states, but there are still important rules about how and when your rent can be raised. Here’s what every tenant should know about rent increases in Mississippi this year.
No Rent Control or Caps
Mississippi does not have any state or local rent control laws. This means:
- No limit exists on how much a landlord can raise rent, whether for new or existing tenants.
- Landlords can set rent at any amount the market will bear, and there are no restrictions on how frequently they can raise it, as long as proper notice is given.
Notice Requirements
- Month-to-month leases: Landlords must provide at least 30 days’ written notice before a rent increase takes effect.
- Fixed-term leases (e.g., 1-year): Rent cannot be increased during the lease term unless the lease specifically allows it. For increases at renewal, landlords must give written notice at least 30 days before the end of the lease.
- Week-to-week leases: Require 7 days’ notice for a rent increase.
All notices should be in writing and include:
- The date of the notice
- The current and new rent amounts
- The effective date of the increase
Legal Restrictions on Rent Increases
While there’s no cap on the amount, certain restrictions apply:
- No retaliation: Landlords cannot raise rent in retaliation for tenants exercising legal rights (e.g., requesting repairs, reporting code violations, joining a tenant union).
- No discrimination: Rent increases cannot be based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status, as protected by the Fair Housing Act.
- No mid-lease increases: Unless the lease allows it, rent cannot be raised during a fixed-term lease.
Tenant Options and Rights
- If you receive a legal notice of a rent increase, you can:
- Accept the new terms and continue renting
- Negotiate with your landlord
- Choose to move out before the increase takes effect
- If you believe a rent increase is retaliatory or discriminatory, you can seek legal assistance or file a complaint.
Summary Table
| Lease Type | Notice Required | Limit on Amount? | When Can Rent Be Raised? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Month-to-month | 30 days | No | Any time with notice |
| Fixed-term (e.g., 1 year) | 30 days before lease ends | No | Only at lease renewal (unless lease allows) |
| Week-to-week | 7 days | No | Any time with notice |
In Mississippi, landlords have broad discretion to raise rent, but must provide proper written notice and cannot do so for retaliatory or discriminatory reasons. Tenants should review lease terms carefully and know their rights regarding notice and fair treatment.
Sources:
- https://www.steadily.com/blog/how-much-can-a-landlord-raise-rent-in-mississippi
- https://www.hemlane.com/resources/mississippi-rent-control-laws/
- https://www.steadily.com/blog/rent-increase-laws-regulations-mississippi
- https://www.hemlane.com/resources/mississippi-tenant-landlord-law/