Mississippi · Repairs · Updated Oct 2026

Mississippi tenant repair rights

What a landlord in Mississippi must keep in repair, how to ask for repairs, whether you can repair and deduct or withhold rent, and the protection against retaliation.

Short answer

The landlord must follow building and housing codes that materially affect health and safety, and keep the unit and its plumbing, heating and cooling in substantially the same condition as at move-in, reasonable wear and tear excluded, unless you or your guests caused the damage (Miss.

Repair and deduct
Allowed (with conditions)
Withholding rent
Not allowed
Notice before entry
No statute

Repairs in Mississippi

The landlord's duty
The landlord must follow building and housing codes that materially affect health and safety, and keep the unit and its plumbing, heating and cooling in substantially the same condition as at move-in, reasonable wear and tear excluded, unless you or your guests caused the damage (Miss. Code §89-8-23).
How to ask for repairs
Give the landlord written notice of the specific defect. The landlord has 30 days to repair before you can use repair-and-deduct. You can also give a 14-day notice to end the lease for a material breach (Miss. Code §89-8-13).
Repair and deduct
Allowed with limits. If the landlord does not repair a specific, material defect within 30 days after your written notice, you may make the repair and get reimbursed within 45 days after giving the landlord receipted bills, or offset the cost against future rent. Limits: the cost may not exceed one month's rent or the usual and customary charge; you must be current on rent, have met your own duties, and not have used this remedy in the past 6 months (Miss. Code §89-8-15).
Withholding rent
not allowed (no rent escrow statute; only the repair-and-deduct remedy above).
Law
Miss. Code Ann. §§89-8-13, 89-8-15, 89-8-23

Landlord entry in Mississippi

no statute

Retaliation in Mississippi

Limited. After a lease expires, a landlord may not raise rent or start eviction with the dominant purpose of retaliating against you for actions the Act allows (such as written repair complaints) (Miss. Code §89-8-17(2)). No general retaliation statute with a presumption period.

Get repairs made, step by step

  1. Write down the problem and take dated photos or video.
  2. Ask in writing and keep a copy. In Mississippi: Give the landlord written notice of the specific defect.
  3. Give the landlord the time the rule allows, and let them in to do the work with proper notice.
  4. If nothing happens, call your local housing or code inspector and talk to legal aid before you stop paying any rent.
  5. Keep paying rent unless the rule above lets you withhold it and you follow its steps exactly.

Repair request letter for Mississippi

Ask your landlord in writing to fix the problem by a date. A written, dated request is the first step in almost every state, and it is proof that the landlord knew. Check the problems, add dates, then download the letter as PDF or Word (or copy it). Sign it, keep a copy and photos, and send it in a way you can prove.

Your letter is made in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to us or anyone else.

The name on your lease or rent receipts.

What needs repair? (required)

Your state's rule on repair requests is shown below the form.

Mississippi's rule on asking for repairs:Give the landlord written notice of the specific defect. The landlord has 30 days to repair before you can use repair-and-deduct. You can also give a 14-day notice to end the lease for a material breach (Miss. Code §89-8-13).

Dates, rooms and how the problem affects you. This text goes into the letter as written.

Where to get free help in Mississippi

Questions about repairs in Mississippi

How do I ask my landlord for repairs in Mississippi?

Give the landlord written notice of the specific defect. The landlord has 30 days to repair before you can use repair-and-deduct. You can also give a 14-day notice to end the lease for a material breach (Miss. Code §89-8-13).

Can I repair and deduct the cost from rent in Mississippi?

Allowed with limits. If the landlord does not repair a specific, material defect within 30 days after your written notice, you may make the repair and get reimbursed within 45 days after giving the landlord receipted bills, or offset the cost against future rent. Limits: the cost may not exceed one month's rent or the usual and customary charge; you must be current on rent, have met your own duties, and not have used this remedy in the past 6 months (Miss. Code §89-8-15).

Can I withhold rent for repairs in Mississippi?

not allowed (no rent escrow statute; only the repair-and-deduct remedy above).

How much notice does a landlord need to enter in Mississippi?

no statute

Can my landlord retaliate if I complain in Mississippi?

Limited. After a lease expires, a landlord may not raise rent or start eviction with the dominant purpose of retaliating against you for actions the Act allows (such as written repair complaints) (Miss. Code §89-8-17(2)). No general retaliation statute with a presumption period.

More for Mississippi renters

Repairs in nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 2026.