Jackson's Rental Property Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles rental property rules a little differently. In Jackson, Mississippi, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Repairs & Habitability

Jackson enforces rental habitability through the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code as locally amended by City Code § 26-512, which bans storing hazardous materials that endanger occupants and caps occupancy so that no boarding house, rooming house, or similar unit exceeds twelve persons under amended IPMC § 404.5.

Key details: Code adopted: 2018 International Property Maintenance Code. Hazardous materials ban: IPMC § 301.5, added locally. Occupancy cap: 12 persons max in boarding/rooming houses, IPMC § 404.5. Weed height limit: 18 inches, IPMC § 302.4. Maximum penalty: $1,000.00 fine or 90 days jail.

A property owner, tenant, corporation, or other entity that fails to correct a Property Maintenance Code violation after notice and a reasonable time to fix it faces a fine of up to $1,000.00 or up to 90 days imprisonment, or both, under amended IPMC § 106.4, with each additional day the violation remains uncorrected charged as a separate offense under MCA 1972 §§ 21-13-1 and 21-17-5.

Rental Registration

Every owner of a rental housing unit in Jackson, Mississippi must register each unit with the Rental Registration Division of the Planning and Development Department, name a local agent, and report any change in the filed information within 30 days. New owners register within 90 days of taking ownership, and no tenant can lawfully occupy a unit once its registration or renewal deadline has passed.

Key details: Administering office: Rental Registration Division, Planning and Development Department. New owner deadline: 90 days after taking ownership. Change of information: Report to the department within 30 days. Renewal timing: Apply at least 30 calendar days before certificate expires. Certificate term: One year from the date of issue.

Section 26-528 sets a $250.00 penalty per unit for failing to register by the deadline and another $250.00 per unit for failing to renew on time. Allowing a tenant to occupy a unit without a certificate of compliance costs $500.00 per unit. An owner who knowingly files false ownership or operating information and fails to correct it after notice faces a fine of up to $1,000.00, and each further day of delay counts as a separate offense. Property maintenance code penalties apply on top.

This is one of the stricter rules in Jackson's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Jackson's rental property rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Jackson is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Jackson can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, which shows when its source was last checked.