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Eviction rules depend on the state. Which state is the rental in?

Mississippi eviction laws

Notices, deadlines, court and tenant rights in Mississippi — in plain English.

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Overview

The court case
Residential eviction (action for possession)
Court
Justice Court, County Court, or Circuit Court in the county where the property is located
Main laws
Miss. Code Ann. 89-8-1 et seq. (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; evictions 89-8-31 to 89-8-45); 89-7-27

Just-cause protection

No statewide law

Mississippi has no just-cause rule. A periodic tenancy can be ended without a reason with proper notice. (Miss. Code Ann. 89-8-19)

Notices before filing, by reason

What a landlord must serve before filing — and what a tenant should expect to receive.

Unpaid rent — 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Terminate

The landlord gives a written 3-day notice that the rental agreement will end if rent is not paid. If the tenant pays within 3 days, the tenancy continues. Even after judgment, a tenant evicted only for nonpayment can stop the removal by paying everything owed by the court-ordered move-out date.

3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Terminate

Notice period
3 days
Counting
Count 3 calendar days after the tenant receives the notice. Double-check with the court: if the last day is a weekend or holiday, wait until the next business day.
Tenant can fix it?
Yes, within the notice period
Must include
  • Tenant name(s) and property address
  • Amount of rent due
  • Statement that the rental agreement will terminate if payment is not made within 3 days
  • Landlord signature and date
How to serve
Hand it to the tenant in person; Leave it with an adult who lives there (and mail a copy if required); Post it on the door; Certified mail (return receipt); Email (only if the tenant agreed in writing). Deliver the written notice to the tenant, or leave it at the unit with a household member, or post it on the door, and keep proof. Email or text message is allowed only if the tenant agreed in writing to be notified that way. Double-check with the court: Mississippi's statute does not list specific delivery methods.
Law
Miss. Code Ann. 89-8-13(3)
  • Since the 2025 amendments (SB 2328), the judgment must give the tenant at least 7 days to move out, and a warrant cannot issue in a nonpayment-only case if the tenant pays all amounts owed by the move-out date.
The tenant broke the lease or rules — 14-Day Notice to Cure or Terminate

For a material lease violation, the landlord gives written notice describing the breach and saying the lease will end in at least 14 days unless the tenant fixes it within 14 days. A repeat of substantially the same breach within 6 months allows a 14-day notice with no cure.

14-Day Notice to Cure or Terminate

Notice period
14 days
Counting
Count 14 calendar days from receipt.
Tenant can fix it?
Yes, within the notice period
Must include
  • Tenant name(s) and property address
  • The acts or omissions that are the breach
  • Statement that the rental agreement will terminate on a date at least 14 days after receipt unless the breach is remedied within 14 days
  • Landlord signature and date
How to serve
Hand it to the tenant in person; Leave it with an adult who lives there (and mail a copy if required); Post it on the door; Certified mail (return receipt); Email (only if the tenant agreed in writing). Deliver the written notice to the tenant, or leave it at the unit with a household member, or post it on the door, and keep proof. Email or text message is allowed only if the tenant agreed in writing to be notified that way. Double-check with the court: Mississippi's statute does not list specific delivery methods.
Law
Miss. Code Ann. 89-8-13
The lease ended and the tenant stayed — no notice required

When a fixed-term lease ends, no notice to terminate is required; the landlord can file if the tenant stays past the end date without permission.

  • A written demand for possession before filing is recommended. A holdover tenant may owe extra rent (89-8-45).
Ending a month-to-month tenancy (no fault) — 30-Day Notice to Terminate Tenancy

A month-to-month tenancy can be ended by written notice at least 30 days before the end date; week-to-week needs 7 days.

30-Day Notice to Terminate Tenancy

Notice period
30 days (week-to-week: 7 days, month-to-month: 30 days)
Counting
Count calendar days; notice must be given at least 30 days (7 for week-to-week) before the termination date.
Tenant can fix it?
No
Must include
  • Tenant name(s) and property address
  • Statement that the tenancy terminates and the date
  • Landlord signature and date
How to serve
Hand it to the tenant in person; Leave it with an adult who lives there (and mail a copy if required); Post it on the door; Certified mail (return receipt); Email (only if the tenant agreed in writing). Deliver the written notice to the tenant, or leave it at the unit with a household member, or post it on the door, and keep proof. Email or text message is allowed only if the tenant agreed in writing to be notified that way. Double-check with the court: Mississippi's statute does not list specific delivery methods.
Law
Miss. Code Ann. 89-8-19
Illegal activity, violence or serious damage — no notice required

If the tenant commits a substantial violation of the lease or the Act that materially affects health or safety, the periodic-tenancy notice is not required. For other illegal activity, use the 14-day breach notice.

  • Double-check with the court: Mississippi law does not set a specific short notice for criminal activity; a written notice of termination is recommended before filing.

How a tenant responds

No written answer is required. The summons tells the tenant to leave or appear at a hearing on the date named; the tenant should appear and present defenses. If the tenant does not appear, a default judgment may be entered. After judgment the tenant has at least 7 days to move out.

Deadline: at the hearing (no fixed written-answer deadline) · Miss. Code Ann. 89-8-35, 89-8-37, 89-8-39

City and local rules

  • No major city in Mississippi has its own just-cause or eviction notice rules.

Official court forms

Landlords

  • Complaint for Residential Eviction (sample)
  • Residential Eviction Summons (sample)

All Mississippi forms →

Sources

Checked 2026-09. General information, not legal advice; laws change and courts differ. We strive for accuracy but don’t guarantee it.