Mississippi Security Deposit Law: Limits, Deadlines, and Penalties
What Mississippi landlords can charge, when deposits must be returned, and what it costs to get it wrong. Last reviewed 2026-08-12.
How much can a landlord charge in Mississippi?
Mississippi places no cap on residential security deposits. Landlords may charge any amount agreed in the lease; one month's rent is typical.
No statutory pet deposit rule; a refundable pet deposit is simply part of the security deposit and follows the same 45-day return and itemization requirements.
When must the deposit be returned?
The balance of the deposit is due no later than 45 days after termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession, and demand by the tenant — the clock does not run until the tenant has moved out and asked for the money back.
A landlord claiming any portion of the deposit must give written notice itemizing the amounts claimed, limited to unpaid rent, damage beyond ordinary wear and tear, cleaning at move-out, and other reasonable expenses caused by the tenant's default.
What happens if a landlord misses the deadline?
Retaining a deposit in violation of the statute and in the absence of good faith subjects the landlord to damages of up to $200 in addition to the tenant's actual damages (Miss. Code Ann. § 89-8-21(4)).
Interest and holding requirements
Mississippi does not require interest on security deposits.
No statutory requirement. Deposits may be commingled with the landlord's funds; no separate account, escrow, or bond is required.
What Mississippi landlords get wrong
Mississippi is one of the most landlord-friendly deposit states: no cap, no interest, no account requirement, a long 45-day window, and a modest $200 statutory penalty. Note the unusual trigger — the 45 days run from termination, delivery of possession, and the tenant's demand, so a tenant who never asks may wait indefinitely, but once demand is made the deadline is firm. Deductions may cover unpaid rent, damage beyond ordinary wear, move-out cleaning, and other reasonable default-related costs, and each must be itemized in writing. Good-faith documentation (photos, receipts) is what separates a defensible deduction from a bad-faith penalty.
The law itself
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Mississippi landlord have to return a security deposit?
45 days — but the clock starts only after the tenancy has terminated, the tenant has delivered possession, and the tenant has demanded the deposit back. Tenants should make that demand in writing with a forwarding address at move-out. Within the 45 days, the landlord must return the balance and provide a written itemization of anything withheld.
Is there a limit on security deposits in Mississippi?
No. Mississippi law does not cap residential security deposits, so the amount is whatever the lease specifies — most landlords charge about one month's rent. There is also no requirement to pay interest or keep the money in a separate account. The deposit is governed by the lease and the return rules in Miss. Code Ann. § 89-8-21.
What can a landlord deduct from a deposit in Mississippi?
Amounts reasonably necessary to cover unpaid rent, repair of damage the tenant caused beyond ordinary wear and tear, cleaning the unit at the end of the tenancy, and other reasonable and necessary expenses caused by the tenant's default. Every amount claimed must be itemized in a written notice to the tenant. Ordinary wear — worn flooring, faded paint — cannot be charged.
What happens if a Mississippi landlord wrongfully keeps a deposit?
A landlord who retains the deposit in violation of the statute and without good faith can be ordered to pay up to $200 on top of the tenant's actual damages — typically the wrongfully withheld amount. Tenants usually pursue this in justice court, Mississippi's small claims venue, which handles claims up to $3,500 without a lawyer.
Keep reading
Deposit deadlines are easy to miss — until they cost you triple.
Vantric tracks your leases, deposits, and move-out dates in one place, built for landlords with 1–10 units.
Start Free TrialThis page is general information, not legal advice. Statutes change — verify against the official text linked above or consult a local attorney before acting.