Housing (Tenant Rights)

HB 790 clarifies that anyone who enters property without permission (a trespasser) cannot be considered a tenant and may be removed immediately by the property owner or their agent, without needing court proceedings or following standard eviction processes. The bill amends Mississippi tenant law to explicitly state that trespassers have no tenant rights, including protection from removal or liability for items left behind. It directly affects individuals who occupy property without the owner's consent, such as squatters or unauthorized occupants. The law changes existing statutes to ensure trespassers are not covered by tenant protections, allowing owners to address unauthorized presence swiftly.

HB 1421, which died in committee in February 2025, proposed significant changes to Mississippi's eviction process. It would have required eviction documents (summons and complaint) to be served within 72 hours of filing, set court hearings within 14 days, and mandated a 7-day minimum move-out period after a judgment (removing the court's ability to extend this). The bill also required specific notices in summonses explaining tenant rights, including the right to pay rent before a hearing to avoid eviction. These changes would have directly affected tenants facing eviction and landlords seeking possession of rental properties.