Mississippi Rent Increase & Late Fee Laws
Mississippi rules on rent increases & late fees for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-23.
Short answer: No rent control. State law bars cities and towns (§ 21-17-5(2)(h)) and counties (§ 19-3-40(3)(g)) from regulating, directly or indirectly, the rent charged for private residential property in which they have no property interest, unless the Legislature gives prior approval. Miss. Code Ann. § 21-17-5(2)(h); § 19-3-40(3)(g)
The rules in Mississippi
| Rent control / increase limits | No rent control. State law bars cities and towns (§ 21-17-5(2)(h)) and counties (§ 19-3-40(3)(g)) from regulating, directly or indirectly, the rent charged for private residential property in which they have no property interest, unless the Legislature gives prior approval. County rule: https://codes.findlaw.com/ms/title-19-counties-and-county-officers/ms-code-sect-19-3-40.html. Neither section limits rent on commercial property. Official code not freely readable online; text verified on a public code mirror (code year 2025, current through January 1, 2025). |
|---|---|
| Late fees | No statutory cap or grace period. The Residential Landlord and Tenant Act does not regulate late fees. Chapter 89-8 sets no late-fee cap or grace period; the definition of 'rent' includes late fees required by the rental agreement (§ 89-8-7), and § 89-8-33 lets the eviction complaint list rent and any additional fees owed. A late-fee rule elsewhere in the Code was not ruled out. Official code not freely readable online; text verified on a public code mirror (code year 2025, current through January 1, 2025). |
Free calculators
- Late Fee Checker — Check a late fee against your state's cap and grace period.
- Rent Increase Calculator — In states with a statewide rent cap, see the most your rent can go up this year.
Related questions
- Can a landlord raise the rent in the middle of a lease?
- How much can a landlord charge for a late fee?
- How much notice does a landlord have to give before raising the rent?
- Can a landlord evict you for no reason?
Mississippi vs. neighboring states
| State | Rent control / increase limits | Late fees |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | No rent control. State law bars cities and towns (§ 21-17-5(2)(h)) and counties (§ 19-3-40(3)(g)) from regulating, directly or indirectly, the rent charged for private residential property in which they have no property interest, unless the Legislature gives prior approval. Miss. Code Ann. § 21-17-5(2)(h); § 19-3-40(3)(g) | No statutory cap or grace period. The Residential Landlord and Tenant Act does not regulate late fees. Miss. Code Ann. §§ 89-8-1 to 89-8-45 (no late-fee provision) |
| Alabama | Local rent control is preempted statewide. No county, city, or other local government may enact, maintain, or enforce a measure controlling the rent charged for leasing private property. There is no statewide rent cap. Ala. Code § 11-80-8.1 | No statutory cap. The statute mentions late fees only as an item that can be listed in a nonpayment notice. Ala. Code § 35-9A-421(b) |
| Arkansas | Local rent control is preempted. Local governments may not enact, maintain, or enforce ordinances controlling rent, and since Act 459 of 2025, rental application fees or rental deposits, for private residential or commercial property. There is no statewide rent cap. Ark. Code Ann. §§ 14-16-601, 14-54-1409 (as amended by Act 459 of 2025) | No statutory cap — no Arkansas statute limits residential late fees or requires a grace period. The Landlord-Tenant Act defines 'rent' to include late charges and lets the parties set rental terms not otherwise prohibited by law, so the lease governs. Ark. Code Ann. §§ 18-17-301(10), 18-17-401(a) |
| Louisiana | No statute — Louisiana has no state rent control law, and no city or parish is known to have adopted rent control; rent is set by the lease. No statute expressly addresses local rent control, but R.S. 9:3258 says lessors' rights may not be altered, abridged or diminished except by state law (subject to the police power). A 2026 bill to let municipalities adopt rent stabilization (HB 472) died in committee. La. R.S. 9:3258; 2026 Reg. Sess. HB 472 (involuntarily deferred 5/5/2026) | No statutory cap. A late fee can be charged only if the lease or an oral agreement provides for it. No statute; AG tenant guide |
| Tennessee | Prohibited statewide: local governments may not enact, maintain or enforce any ordinance or resolution that would control the rent charged for private residential or commercial property. Local mandatory below-market (inclusionary) housing requirements are also barred, but voluntary incentive programs are allowed. T.C.A. 66-35-102 | URLTA counties: no late fee may be charged until after a 5-day grace period, counting the due date as day 1. If the last day falls on a Sunday or legal holiday, no fee may be charged if rent is paid the next business day. Late fees may not exceed 10% of the past-due rent. Non-URLTA counties: no statute caps late fees or sets a grace period; the lease governs. T.C.A. 66-28-201(d); ch. 66-7 (checked) |
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- Free legal help in Mississippi
Compare rent increases & late fees in all 50 states and DC →
Mississippi Rent Increase & Late Fee Laws FAQ
Is there rent control or a limit on rent increases in Mississippi?
No rent control. State law bars cities and towns (§ 21-17-5(2)(h)) and counties (§ 19-3-40(3)(g)) from regulating, directly or indirectly, the rent charged for private residential property in which they have no property interest, unless the Legislature gives prior approval. (Miss. Code Ann. § 21-17-5(2)(h); § 19-3-40(3)(g))
Is there a limit on late fees in Mississippi?
No statutory cap or grace period. The Residential Landlord and Tenant Act does not regulate late fees. (Miss. Code Ann. §§ 89-8-1 to 89-8-45 (no late-fee provision))
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.