Mississippi Residential Lease Agreement

This Residential Lease Agreement (this "Agreement") is entered into as of [[Agreement Date]] by and between [[Landlord Full Legal Name(s)]] ("Landlord"), whose address for notices is [[Landlord Mailing Address, City, Mississippi, ZIP]], and [[Tenant Full Legal Name(s)]] (jointly and severally, "Tenant"). Landlord and Tenant agree as follows.

Mississippi landlord-tenant relations are governed primarily by Mississippi Code Title 89, Chapters 7 and 8 (including the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act provisions). There is no statewide rent control. Security deposits must be returned within forty-five (45) days after termination of the tenancy and delivery of a forwarding address (§ 89-8-21). Month-to-month tenancies require thirty (30) days' written notice to terminate (§ 89-8-19). Required disclosures include the name and address of the landlord or authorized agent. Entry by Landlord typically requires reasonable notice (commonly 24 hours except in emergencies). All user inputs are `[[Token Name]]` placeholders., -

1. Definitions and Interpretation

"Premises" means the residential dwelling unit and any included parking, storage, or furnishings described in Section 2. "Rent" means the monthly rent and all other sums Tenant is obligated to pay under this Agreement. "Lease Term" means the period described in Section 3. "Security Deposit" means the sum held by Landlord pursuant to Section 6 and Miss. Code § 89-8-21. "Ordinary Wear and Tear" means deterioration that results from normal living use, excluding damage caused by negligence, misuse, or failure to maintain. Words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa., -

2. Premises; Parking; Storage; Furnishings

Landlord leases to Tenant the residential dwelling unit located at:

[[Property Full Street Address]]
[[City]], Mississippi [[ZIP Code]]

(the "Premises").

Assigned parking: [[Parking Space(s) Description or "None"]].

Storage: [[Storage Area Description or "None"]].

Furnishings, appliances, and equipment included: [[List of Included Furnishings and Appliances or "See attached Move-In Checklist"]].

Tenant acknowledges that Tenant has examined the Premises (or has had the opportunity to do so) and accepts the Premises in its present condition, except as noted in the Move-In Inventory and Condition Checklist attached as Exhibit A. The Premises shall be used and occupied solely as a private residence by Tenant and the additional occupants listed in this Agreement. No business or commercial activity is permitted without Landlord's prior written consent., -

3. Term; Possession; Holdover; Termination

3.1 Fixed Term. The initial Lease Term is [[Lease Term Length, e.g., twelve (12) months]], commencing on [[Lease Start / Move-In Date]] and ending on [[Lease End Date]] (the "Expiration Date"), unless sooner terminated or extended as provided herein.

3.2 Month-to-Month After Term. If Landlord accepts Rent after the Expiration Date without executing a new written lease, the tenancy shall convert to a month-to-month tenancy on the same terms and conditions, terminable by either party upon at least thirty (30) days' prior written notice as required by Miss. Code § 89-8-19.

3.3 Week-to-Week or Other Periodic. If the tenancy is week-to-week (rare), either party may terminate with at least seven (7) days' written notice per Miss. Code § 89-8-19.

3.4 Delayed Possession. If Landlord is unable to deliver possession of the Premises on the Lease Start Date, Rent shall abate on a daily basis until possession is delivered. If possession is not delivered within [[Possession Delay Termination Threshold, e.g., five (5) days]] after the start date, Tenant may terminate this Agreement by written notice and receive a full refund of all prepaid amounts.

3.5 Holdover. If Tenant remains in possession after the Expiration Date or after termination without Landlord's written consent, Tenant shall be a holdover tenant. Tenant shall pay daily use-and-occupancy rent of [[Holdover Daily Rate, e.g., 150% of the daily equivalent of Monthly Rent]] and shall be liable for all resulting damages, including but not limited to costs of securing a replacement tenancy and lost rent. Landlord reserves all rights to pursue unlawful detainer and other remedies.

3.6 Notice to Terminate Month-to-Month. Either party may terminate a month-to-month tenancy by giving the other party at least thirty (30) days' written notice specifying the termination date, which must be the last day of a rental period., -

4. Rent; Payment; Prorations

Tenant shall pay monthly Rent in the amount of $[[Monthly Rent Amount]], due and payable in advance on the [[Rent Due Day, e.g., 1st]] day of each calendar month, without demand, deduction, or offset, to [[Payee Name or "Landlord"]] by [[Accepted Payment Methods, e.g., personal check, cashier's check, money order, ACH, online portal]] at [[Payment Address or Portal Instructions]].

If the Lease Term commences on a day other than the first day of the month, the first month's Rent shall be prorated on a 30-day basis., -

5. Late Charges; Returned Payments; Grace Period

5.1 Grace Period. Rent is due on the Rent Due Day. Rent shall be considered late if not received by Landlord on or before the [[Grace Period Days, e.g., fifth (5th)]] day of the month (or next business day if the fifth falls on a weekend or holiday).

5.2 Late Charge. If Rent remains unpaid after the grace period, Tenant shall pay a late charge of $[[Late Fee Flat Amount or Percentage, e.g., $50 or 5% of monthly rent]]. Landlord will not impose a late charge on Rent paid within the grace period. The late charge is intended as a reasonable estimate of the administrative and other costs incurred by Landlord due to late payment.

5.3 Returned Payment Fee. A fee of $[[Returned Payment Fee Amount]] shall be charged for any check or electronic payment that is returned or dishonored. After two (2) or more returned payments in any twelve-month period, Landlord may require all future payments to be made by certified funds or electronic means with guaranteed funds., -

6. Security Deposit

Upon execution of this Agreement, Tenant shall pay a Security Deposit of $[[Security Deposit Amount]]. The Security Deposit is held by Landlord as security for Tenant's faithful performance of all terms of this Agreement.

Pursuant to Miss. Code § 89-8-21, within forty-five (45) days after termination of this Agreement and Tenant's vacating of the Premises and delivery of a written forwarding address, Landlord shall either:

1. Return the full Security Deposit to Tenant; or

2. Provide Tenant with a written itemized statement of any deductions, together with payment of any balance remaining after lawful deductions.

Lawful deductions may include:

• Unpaid Rent or other charges due under the Agreement.
• Repair of damage to the Premises, fixtures, or appliances caused by Tenant's negligence, misuse, or failure to maintain, beyond ordinary wear and tear.
• Cleaning costs necessary to return the Premises to the condition at move-in (reasonable cleaning for ordinary wear excepted).

The Security Deposit may not be applied by Tenant as the last month's Rent unless Landlord agrees in writing. Landlord shall not be required to hold the Security Deposit in an interest-bearing account unless required by applicable law or agreement., -

7. Utilities and Services

Tenant shall be responsible for and shall promptly pay for the following utilities and services: [[Tenant-Paid Utilities, e.g., electricity, gas, water, sewer, trash, internet, cable]]

Landlord shall be responsible for and shall pay for: [[Landlord-Paid Utilities, e.g., none, or trash if included]]

Tenant shall have all utilities placed in Tenant's name effective on the Lease Start Date and shall maintain continuous service. Tenant shall not allow any utility to be disconnected. Landlord shall not be liable for interruptions in utility service caused by factors outside Landlord's reasonable control or by Tenant's failure to maintain service., -

8. Occupants; Guests; Assignment and Subletting

The Premises shall be occupied only by Tenant and the following additional occupants: [[List of Additional Occupants' Full Names and Ages or "None"]].

A guest staying more than [[Maximum Guest Stay Without Consent, e.g., fourteen (14) consecutive days or thirty (30) total days in any calendar year]] without Landlord's prior written consent shall be deemed an unauthorized occupant and a breach of this Agreement.

Tenant shall not assign this Agreement or sublet the Premises or any portion thereof without Landlord's prior written consent, which may be withheld in Landlord's sole discretion. Any attempted assignment or sublease without consent is void and constitutes a material breach., -

9. Use; Conduct; Quiet Enjoyment; Compliance with Law

Tenant shall use the Premises solely as a private residence in a peaceful and quiet manner. Tenant, Tenant's occupants, and guests shall not:

1. Create a nuisance or disturb the quiet enjoyment of neighbors or other tenants.

2. Engage in any illegal activity on or about the Premises.

3. Violate any applicable laws, ordinances, HOA rules, or building rules.

4. Damage, deface, or destroy any part of the Premises or common areas.

Landlord represents that, at the commencement of the tenancy, the Premises comply with applicable health and safety codes to the extent required by Mississippi law. Tenant shall comply with all present and future laws and rules applicable to the use and occupancy of the Premises., -

10. Pets; Assistance Animals

No animals, birds, or other pets are permitted on the Premises without Landlord's prior written consent, except as follows:

• [[Pet Policy, e.g., "One (1) dog or cat under 40 lbs. is permitted with payment of a non-refundable pet fee of $[[Pet Fee]] and monthly pet rent of $[[Pet Rent]]" or "No pets permitted."]]

Assistance animals required by persons with disabilities are permitted as required by the Fair Housing Act and applicable law. Tenant must provide reasonable documentation of the need for an assistance animal upon request. No pet fee or pet rent applies to qualified assistance animals.

Tenant is responsible for any damage, noise, odor, waste, or injury caused by any animal kept on the Premises, whether permitted or not., -

11. Smoking

Smoking of any kind (including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, e-cigarettes, and cannabis where legal) is [[Smoking Policy, e.g., "prohibited inside the Premises and within 25 feet of any entrance or window" or "permitted only in designated outdoor areas"]].

Tenant is responsible for all damage, odors, and residue caused by smoking., -

12. Maintenance, Landlord Responsibilities

Landlord shall:

1. Comply with all applicable building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety.

2. Make all necessary repairs to keep the Premises in a habitable condition.

3. Maintain in good and safe working order all structural components, roof, exterior, plumbing, electrical, heating, and air conditioning systems (where provided), and supplied appliances.

4. Provide and maintain appropriate receptacles for trash and arrange for removal where required by local ordinance.

Landlord shall not be responsible for damage caused by Tenant's misuse, neglect, or failure to notify Landlord of needed repairs., -

13. Maintenance, Tenant Responsibilities

Tenant shall, at Tenant's sole expense:

1. Keep the Premises in a clean, sanitary, and safe condition at all times.

2. Properly use and operate all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and other facilities and appliances in the Premises.

3. Dispose of all trash, garbage, and waste in a clean and sanitary manner in appropriate receptacles.

4. Keep all plumbing fixtures clean and free from obstruction.

5. Replace HVAC filters, light bulbs, smoke detector batteries, and similar consumables as needed.

6. Promptly notify Landlord in writing of any defective condition, needed repairs, or unsafe situation.

7. Not deliberately or negligently damage, destroy, deface, or impair any part of the Premises.

Tenant shall be responsible for the cost of repairing damage caused by Tenant's failure to perform these responsibilities or by the negligence or misuse of Tenant, occupants, or guests., -

14. Repair Requests; Emergencies; Landlord's Right of Entry

14.1 Routine Repairs. Tenant shall submit all routine repair requests in writing to [[Repair Request Contact Name and Method, e.g., email to repairs@landlord.com or portal]]. Landlord shall make repairs within a reasonable time after receiving written notice, considering the nature of the defect and availability of contractors.

14.2 Emergencies. For emergencies threatening life, health, safety, or significant property damage (e.g., major water leak, gas odor, no heat in winter, electrical hazard), Tenant shall immediately notify Landlord by telephone at [[Emergency Phone Number]] and follow up in writing. If Landlord cannot be reached, Tenant may take reasonable temporary measures to mitigate damage and shall notify Landlord as soon as possible.

14.3 Landlord's Right of Entry. Landlord may enter the Premises:

1. In case of emergency, without notice.

2. To make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations, or improvements, supply necessary or agreed services, or exhibit the Premises to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workmen, or contractors.

3. To inspect the Premises for compliance with the Agreement and applicable codes.

Except in cases of emergency, Landlord shall give Tenant at least twenty-four (24) hours' reasonable notice of the date, time, and purpose of entry, and entry shall occur during reasonable hours (typically between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on business days, or at other times mutually agreed). Tenant shall not unreasonably withhold consent to Landlord's entry for lawful purposes., -

15. Renter's Insurance; Liability; Indemnity

Tenant shall, throughout the Lease Term, maintain renter's insurance providing personal liability coverage of at least $[[Minimum Liability Coverage, e.g., 100,000]] and coverage for Tenant's personal property, and shall provide Landlord with proof of insurance upon request. Landlord's insurance does not cover Tenant's personal belongings or liability.

Each party waives any right of recovery against the other for loss or damage to the extent covered by insurance required or maintained by that party.

Except to the extent caused by Landlord's negligence or willful misconduct or violation of law, Tenant assumes all risk of loss or damage to Tenant's property and shall indemnify, defend, and hold Landlord harmless from and against any claims, damages, or liabilities arising from Tenant's use or occupancy of the Premises or the acts or omissions of Tenant, occupants, or guests., -

16. Alterations; Fixtures; Locks

Tenant shall not make any alterations, additions, or improvements to the Premises, paint any surface, install satellite dishes or antennas, or change or add locks or security devices without Landlord's prior written consent. Any approved alterations or improvements shall become the property of Landlord upon installation or at the end of the tenancy, unless Landlord agrees otherwise in writing. Tenant shall provide Landlord with a key or access device for any new or changed lock immediately upon installation., -

17. Default; Remedies; Termination for Cause

Tenant shall be in default if Tenant:

1. Fails to pay Rent when due and does not cure within any applicable grace period or notice period.

2. Violates any other material term of this Agreement and fails to cure within any cure period provided by this Agreement or by law (commonly 30 days for curable non-rent breaches per common practice under § 89-7, or shorter for certain violations).

3. Abandons or vacates the Premises.

4. Engages in illegal activity on the Premises or permits such activity.

5. Substantially damages the Premises.

Upon default, Landlord may serve appropriate notice under Mississippi law (including 3-day pay-or-quit for nonpayment or other notices for breach) and pursue all remedies available, including termination of this Agreement, recovery of possession through unlawful detainer proceedings, recovery of unpaid Rent, damages, costs, and attorney fees to the extent permitted by law. Landlord shall not engage in self-help eviction (changing locks, shutting off utilities, removing belongings, or using force)., -

18. Surrender; Move-Out; Final Inspection

Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, Tenant shall:

1. Remove all personal property and debris.

2. Return all keys, access devices, garage openers, and remotes.

3. Leave the Premises in broom-clean condition, free of damage beyond ordinary wear and tear, as documented on the Move-In Checklist.

4. Provide a written forwarding address to Landlord for Security Deposit accounting.

5. Cooperate with the final inspection.

Landlord shall conduct a final inspection after Tenant vacates and before the Security Deposit accounting deadline., -

19. Notices

All notices required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when delivered personally, sent by certified mail (return receipt requested), sent by overnight courier, or sent by email with confirmation of receipt to the addresses set forth in this Agreement (or to such other address as a party may designate in writing). Notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy must be given at least thirty (30) days prior to the termination date.

Landlord's name and address for notices (as required to be disclosed):

Landlord or Authorized Agent: [[Landlord or Agent Name]]

Address for Notices: [[Landlord Notice Address]], -

20. Miscellaneous Provisions

20.1 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Mississippi.

20.2 Severability. If any provision is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force.

20.3 Waiver. No waiver of any breach shall constitute a waiver of any other or subsequent breach. Acceptance of Rent with knowledge of a breach shall not constitute a waiver of that breach.

20.4 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including all exhibits and addenda, constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior negotiations and representations. Amendments must be in writing and signed by both parties.

20.5 Binding Effect. This Agreement binds and benefits the parties and their heirs, successors, and permitted assigns.

20.6 Time of Essence. Time is of the essence for all dates and performance obligations.

20.7 Counterparts; Electronic Execution. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and by electronic signature, each of which shall be deemed an original., -

21. Required Disclosures and Addenda

The following disclosures and addenda are attached or have been provided (check and complete):

• [ ] Mississippi Property Condition Disclosure Statement (if sale-related or provided voluntarily)
• [ ] Lead-Based Paint Disclosure and Pamphlet (for pre-1978 housing), provided on [[Date]]
• [ ] Move-In / Move-Out Inventory and Condition Checklist (Exhibit A)
• [ ] Rules and Regulations (Exhibit B)
• [ ] Other required or agreed addenda: [[List]], -

22. Signatures

LANDLORD:

________________________________________
Signature / Authorized Agent

[[Landlord Full Legal Name(s)]]
Date: [[Landlord Signature Date]]

TENANT(S):

________________________________________
Signature

[[Tenant Full Legal Name(s)]]
Date: [[Tenant Signature Date]]

________________________________________
Signature (joint and several)

[[Second Tenant Full Legal Name]]
Date: [[Tenant Signature Date]], -

EXHIBIT A, MOVE-IN / MOVE-OUT INVENTORY AND CONDITION CHECKLIST

(Attach detailed room-by-room checklist with columns for Move-In Condition, Move-Out Condition, and Notes. Both parties should initial or sign.), -

EXHIBIT B, RULES AND REGULATIONS

(Attach property-specific rules regarding noise, parking, trash, common areas, guests, etc.), -

Mississippi Residential Lease Agreement, Statutory References and Disclaimer

Key provisions are drawn from Mississippi Code § 89-7 (Landlord and Tenant, remedies, notices, unlawful detainer) and § 89-8 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act elements), including § 89-8-19 (termination notice periods), § 89-8-21 (security deposit return within 45 days), and general requirements for disclosure of landlord identity. No statutory rent control exists. Entry notice is governed by lease terms and general reasonableness standards (commonly 24 hours' notice in practice).

This is a template lease agreement. It is not a substitute for legal advice. Lease terms must comply with current Mississippi law and any applicable local ordinances or HOA requirements. The parties are advised to consult a licensed Mississippi attorney. Laws and forms can change; verify all references against the current Mississippi Code as of the date of execution. Information is based on the specifications provided and common practice as of June 2026.

End of Mississippi Residential Lease Agreement