Mississippi Eviction Notice Overview
Mississippi requires a 30-day notice for lease violations under Miss. Code §89-8-15. There is no 14-day notice period in Mississippi. The state’s Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Miss. Code §89-8-1 through §89-8-27) provides a relatively straightforward eviction framework. Cases are filed in Justice Court (for claims under $3,500) or County Court.
Mississippi’s 30-day notice period for lease violations is one of the longer periods among Southern states. For non-payment of rent, the notice period is only 3 days under §89-7-27. Hinds County (Jackson), Harrison County (Gulfport/Biloxi), DeSoto County, and Rankin County handle the highest eviction volumes. Mississippi does not have local rent control or tenant protection ordinances.
30 Days
Statutory minimum
$52–$80
Justice Court filing
Written
Notice required
3–6 Wks
Total process
Mississippi Requires 30 Days for Lease Violations
Under Miss. Code §89-8-15, if a tenant materially fails to comply with the rental agreement, the landlord must give 30 days’ written notice specifying the noncompliance and stating that the rental agreement will terminate if not cured within 30 days. This is significantly longer than the 14-day period used in neighboring Alabama and Tennessee.
Mississippi Notice Periods
30-day notice: Material noncompliance with rental agreement (§89-8-15)
3-day notice: Non-payment of rent (§89-7-27)
14-day notice: Does NOT apply in Mississippi
Immediate termination: Drug manufacturing or criminal activity
30-day termination: Month-to-month without cause
Common Violations Addressed by This Notice in Mississippi
- Unauthorized pets
- Unauthorized occupants
- Excessive noise
- Property damage
- Failure to maintain the unit
- Operating businesses without permission
Mississippi Legal Requirements
Mississippi courts require strict compliance with notice requirements. A deficient notice will result in dismissal of the eviction case, wasting time and filing fees. Here are the mandatory elements:
- Written Format: Mississippi requires written notice under the RLTA
- 30-Day Period: State that the tenant has 30 days to cure the violation
- Specific Violation: Describe the noncompliance with specificity
- Termination Warning: State that failure to cure will terminate the rental agreement
- Landlord Information: Include landlord name and contact information
Serving the Notice in Mississippi
Proper service is critical in Mississippi. The method of delivery determines when the notice period starts running and must be documented for court proceedings.
Personal Delivery
Hand the notice to the tenant. The 30-day period starts the next day.
Certified Mail
Send via certified mail with return receipt.
Post and Mail
Post on door and mail if personal service fails.
Mississippi Eviction Timeline
The complete eviction process in Mississippi, from notice to physical removal, follows this general timeline for uncontested cases:
Mississippi Eviction Fees & Costs
Below are the typical costs associated with the eviction process in Mississippi. Fees may vary by county or court location.
| Cost Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Justice Court Filing Fee | $52 – $80 |
| Sheriff Service | $20 – $40 |
| Writ of Possession | $20 – $35 |
| Attorney Fees | $300 – $1,000 |
Sample Mississippi Eviction Notice
Below is a preview of a Mississippi-compliant eviction notice. The generated document includes all elements required under MS law.
30-DAY NOTICE TO CURE OR QUIT
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
Pursuant to Miss. Code §89-8-15
TO (TENANT):
Name: [Tenant Full Legal Name]
Address: [Mississippi Property Address]
VIOLATION / GROUNDS:
[Detailed description of violation with dates]
DEMAND
You have thirty (30) days from delivery of this notice to cure the above violation. Failure to cure will result in termination of your rental agreement and eviction proceedings.