State Law Guide · Updated January 2026
Your landlord's deductions may not hold up under state law.
Mississippi Security Deposit Laws
Under Mississippi Code § 89-8-21, Mississippi landlords must return security deposits within 45 days of a tenant moving out. Landlords who wrongfully withhold deposits face penalties of up to Actual damages; landlord loses right to withhold if no itemization.
Quick Answer
In Mississippi, landlords have 45 days to return your security deposit after you move out and provide a forwarding address. The maximum deposit is No statutory limit. If your landlord wrongfully withholds your deposit, you can sue in Small Claims Court (up to $3,500) and may recover Actual damages; landlord loses right to withhold if no itemization under Mississippi Code § 89-8-21. Landlords must provide an itemized statement of deductions.
Received deductions from your landlord?
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What Mississippi Law Requires
Return Deadline
Landlords have exactly 45 days to return your deposit after you move out. If they make deductions, they must provide an itemized statement explaining each charge with documentation.
Penalties for Violations
Landlords who wrongfully withhold deposits face Actual damages; landlord loses right to withhold if no itemization. You can file in small claims court for amounts up to $3,500without needing an attorney.
Interest Requirements
No interest requirement
Your landlord was required to follow these rules exactly. If they didn't, you may be owed your full deposit back — plus penalties. A formal letter citing the applicable rule and documenting the amount is harder to ignore than a phone call. Upload their deduction letter to find out.
Upload your landlord's deduction letter · PDF, JPG, or PNG — a phone photo works
Common Deductions Landlords Make
Federal guidelines from HUD and the IRS establish "useful life" standards that limit what landlords can charge. Many common deductions are partially or fully invalid under these guidelines.
Carpet Replacement
Typical: $400-1,3005-year useful life per HUD MAP Guide Appendix 5C. Charges may be reduced or invalid based on how long you lived there.
Mold Treatment
Typical: $150-500May be contestable depending on your lease terms and move-in condition.
How It Works
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Get a Demand Letter That Cites These Laws
Our tool analyzes your landlord's deductions against Mississippi Code § 89-8-21 and federal HUD guidelines, then generates a formal demand letter you can send immediately.
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HUD/IRS Citations
Useful life depreciation built in
What you'll see before you decide
A document-specific answer, not a generic promise:
- The amount at issue, itemized
- The rules or contract terms that appear applicable
- What looks strong, weak, or needs more evidence
Free analysis first. The optional letter comes after you see the result.
Upload your landlord's deduction letter · PDF, JPG, or PNG — a phone photo works
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Check each deduction against Mississippi law, including Mississippi Code § 89-8-21, and see what may be disputable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Mississippi landlord have to return my deposit?
Mississippi landlords have 45 days to return your deposit. They must provide an itemized statement—without it, they forfeit deduction rights.
Is there a deposit limit in Mississippi?
No. Mississippi has no statutory limit. Most landlords charge 1-2 months' rent.
Can I sue for my deposit in Mississippi?
Yes. Mississippi Justice Court handles claims up to $3,500. Larger amounts require County Court.
Have your landlord's deduction letter handy?
Upload your landlord's deduction letter · PDF, JPG, or PNG — a phone photo works
How much can I recover in Mississippi for a wrongful deposit withholding?
Mississippi allows recovery of the full deposit if the landlord fails to provide an itemized statement under Code § 89-8-21. Justice Court handles disputes up to $3,500; County Court takes larger amounts. Mississippi penalties are weaker than many states', but the itemization rule is strictly enforced.
Official Resources
- Mississippi Attorney General Consumer Protection(Government)
- Mississippi Center for Legal Services(Legal Aid)
Compare Other States
See how Mississippi's security deposit laws compare to nearby states:
Find the Improper Charges in Your Mississippi Deductions
Your Mississippi landlord had 45 days to return your deposit — see whether they met every requirement.
Upload your landlord's deduction letter · PDF, JPG, or PNG — a phone photo works
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Average Mississippi deposit: $900 · Mississippi Code § 89-8-21 · HUD Handbook 4350.1 · IRS Publication 527