Pascagoula, MS Rental Property Rules: Rent Control (2026)

Mississippi operates under a strict free-market rental framework. The state legislature has not authorized rent control, and under Mississippi's Dillon's Rule doctrine, counties like Jackson and cities like Pascagoula cannot enact rent stabilization ordinances without express statutory authorization. Landlords may raise rent by any amount upon lease renewal for fixed-term leases. For month-to-month tenancies, MS Code §89-8-19 requires 30 days' written notice before a rent increase takes effect. Tenants' primary legal protection is the written lease agreement itself and the habitability standards under MS Code §89-8-23, which requires landlords to maintain premises in compliance with applicable housing codes. Security deposit rules under MS Code §89-8-21 require return within 45 days of lease termination, with itemized deductions. Federal Fair Housing Act protections apply. Hurricane-related rent spikes after storms like Katrina (2005) prompted state anti-price-gouging enforcement under MS Code §75-24-25 during declared emergencies, but this is not rent control in the ongoing sense.