HB 840 would have revised Mississippi's landlord-tenant law to clarify when tenants can repair rental property defects and seek reimbursement. It required tenants to provide landlords 30 days' written notice of a material defect, stay current on rent, and submit receipts for repairs costing no more than usual market rates. Tenants could also offset repair costs against future rent and must notify other tenants sharing facilities before repairs. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and never became law.
HB 1345 would create a program providing rebates to Mississippi residents aged 65 or older (or widows/widowers aged 50+ or permanently disabled persons aged 18+) for a portion of their annual property taxes or rent paid on their primary residence (homestead). The bill specifies a 20% rebate on eligible property taxes or rent, with income limits adjusted yearly based on the Consumer Price Index. Claimants would need to file applications by June 30 each year (with late filings accepted until December 31 if funds remain), providing proof of age, income, and housing costs. Funding would initially come from general state appropriations but shift to lottery proceeds after July 1, 2028, as outlined in the bill's provisions.
HB 1352 would change Mississippi law to extend the notice period for tenants who miss rent payments. Currently, landlords must give tenants 5 days to pay overdue rent before starting eviction; this bill would increase that to 14 days. It directly affects renters who fall behind on payments and their landlords by providing more time to resolve payment issues. The key change is modifying Section 89-8-13(5)(a) of the Mississippi Code to require a 14-day notice period for nonpayment of rent. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and has not become law.
HB 1369 modifies Mississippi eviction procedures to set strict timelines and protect tenants' rights. It requires eviction notices to be posted on the property door and mailed within 72 hours of filing, mandates court hearings within 14 days, and removes judges' authority to extend the tenant's move-out period beyond seven days after a judgment. Tenants who pay all owed rent by the court-ordered date may stay, and landlords must allow 72 consecutive hours after eviction for tenants to remove belongings. The bill directly affects landlords and tenants in rental disputes across Mississippi.
HB 1469 reorganizes existing Mississippi law (Section 27-35-50) that governs how property values are determined for ad valorem taxation. It specifies that tax assessors must consider different valuation methods (like market data, income capitalization, or cost approaches) based on property type, with special rules for agricultural land (using current use and soil productivity), affordable rental housing (based on net operating income), and port ground leases. The bill directly affects property owners, tax assessors, and local governments by standardizing valuation procedures without changing tax rates. It did not create new taxes but clarified how property values - especially for farms and affordable housing - are calculated for tax purposes.
HB 29, the Mississippi Fair Housing Act, prohibits discrimination in housing and real estate transactions based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, or familial status. It bans practices like refusing to sell or rent property, discriminatory advertising, and denying financing to protected groups, while voiding discriminatory conditions on property ownership. The law includes limited exceptions for small owner-occupied rentals (e.g., duplexes with owner residency) and religious organizations operating housing for members of their faith. It also protects individuals who oppose discrimination from retaliation by landlords, brokers, or lenders.
SB 2251, the Mississippi Fair Housing Act, prohibits discrimination in housing and real estate transactions based on race, religion, sex, disability, or familial status. It bans practices like refusing to rent/sell property, discriminatory advertising, or denying financing based on these protected characteristics, while allowing exceptions for small family rentals (e.g., owner-occupied homes with ≤2 units). The bill also prohibits retaliation against those reporting violations and establishes civil remedies for affected individuals. The legislation died in committee on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted.
