Move-In / Move-Out Checklist in Mississippi

Record the condition of each room on move-in and again on move-out, with photos. It is the best evidence in a security deposit dispute. Some states require a move-in condition form.

What Mississippi law says

Itemized deductions	Required. To keep any part of the deposit, the landlord must send the tenant a written notice itemizing each amount claimed. The landlord may keep only what is reasonably necessary for unpaid rent, damage the tenant caused beyond ordinary wear and tear, cleaning at the end of the tenancy, or other reasonable and necessary expenses caused by the tenant's default. Official code not freely readable online; text verified on a public code mirror (code year 2025, current through January 1, 2025). Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 89-8-21(3)
Wear and tear / move-out charges	Using a written, itemized notice, the landlord may claim from the deposit only amounts reasonably necessary to cover unpaid rent, to repair damage caused by the tenant 'exclusive of ordinary wear and tear,' to clean the premises at the end of the tenancy, or for other reasonable and necessary expenses from the tenant's default. These deductions are allowed only if the deposit was made for those purposes. Cleaning is expressly allowed. Wear and tear is not defined, and painting and carpet are not specifically addressed. Official code not freely readable online; text verified on a public code mirror (FindLaw, code current as of January 1, 2025). The remainder must be returned within 45 days after the tenancy ends, possession is delivered and the tenant demands it. Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 89-8-21(3)

Itemized deductions

Required. To keep any part of the deposit, the landlord must send the tenant a written notice itemizing each amount claimed. The landlord may keep only what is reasonably necessary for unpaid rent, damage the tenant caused beyond ordinary wear and tear, cleaning at the end of the tenancy, or other reasonable and necessary expenses caused by the tenant's default.

Official code not freely readable online; text verified on a public code mirror (code year 2025, current through January 1, 2025).

Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 89-8-21(3)

Wear and tear / move-out charges

Using a written, itemized notice, the landlord may claim from the deposit only amounts reasonably necessary to cover unpaid rent, to repair damage caused by the tenant 'exclusive of ordinary wear and tear,' to clean the premises at the end of the tenancy, or for other reasonable and necessary expenses from the tenant's default. These deductions are allowed only if the deposit was made for those purposes. Cleaning is expressly allowed. Wear and tear is not defined, and painting and carpet are not specifically addressed.

Official code not freely readable online; text verified on a public code mirror (FindLaw, code current as of January 1, 2025). The remainder must be returned within 45 days after the tenancy ends, possession is delivered and the tenant demands it.

Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 89-8-21(3)

Fill it in

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MOVE-IN / MOVE-OUT CONDITION CHECKLIST — [rental address]

Tenant: [tenant name] Landlord: [landlord name]

Move-in date: [move-in date] Move-out date: [move-out date]

Living room — walls, floors, windows, lights: move-in ____________ / move-out ____________

Kitchen — appliances, cabinets, sink, counters: move-in ____________ / move-out ____________

Bathroom(s) — toilet, tub/shower, sink, fan: move-in ____________ / move-out ____________

Bedroom(s) — walls, floors, closets, windows: move-in ____________ / move-out ____________

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms tested: move-in ______ / move-out ______ Keys given: [number of keys]

Photos taken on: [photo dates]. Signed by tenant ____________ and landlord ____________

Move-In / Move-Out Checklist for other states · Mississippi tenant rights

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.