Mississippi · MS

Demand letters in Mississippi.

In Mississippi, landlords must return a deposit within 45 days, and the Justice Court hears claims up to $3,500. Here's the law you need — and a generator that cites it for you.

By The Demand Letter Kit Team Sourced from official statutesUpdated June 1, 2026

Mississippi demand letter facts at a glance

Deposit return deadline

45 days

Small claims limit

$3,500

Filing fee

About $50–$85

Written-contract SOL

3 years

Personal-injury SOL

3 years

Legal/judgment interest

8% per year (post-judgment) where no contract rate applies.

Security deposit demand letters in Mississippi

If your former landlord is holding your deposit, Mississippi law is on your side. A landlord must return your security deposit within 45 days, along with an itemized statement of any deductions. Bad-faith retention can expose the landlord to $200 plus actual damages.

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Statutes of limitation in Mississippi

A demand letter doesn't pause the clock — you must file suit within these windows:

Written contracts 3 years
Oral contracts 3 years
Personal injury 3 years
Property damage 3 years

Small claims court in Mississippi

If your demand letter is ignored, Mississippi's Justice Court is usually the next step. It hears claims up to $3,500, with filing fees around About $50–$85. You typically don't need a lawyer, and mentioning that you're prepared to file gives your letter real weight.

Mississippi courts self-help

Good to know in Mississippi

Mississippi gives landlords 45 days to itemize and return the deposit, and a bad-faith landlord can owe $200 plus the tenant’s actual damages — a smaller statutory penalty than many states. Small claims runs through the Justice Court with a low $3,500 cap, so larger disputes move to County or Circuit Court. Mississippi applies a general three-year limitations period across contracts, injury, and property, which keeps the timing analysis simple but tight.

Mississippi demand letter FAQ

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, a landlord generally must return your security deposit within 45 days. Bad-faith retention can expose the landlord to $200 plus actual damages. The governing statute is Miss. Code § 89-8-21.
What is the small claims court limit in Mississippi?
Mississippi's Justice Court hears claims up to $3,500, with filing fees of roughly About $50–$85. Most demand-letter disputes fall within this limit, which is what makes a demand letter such effective leverage.
How long do I have to sue in Mississippi?
Mississippi's statute of limitations is 3 years for written contracts, 3 years for oral contracts, 3 years for personal injury, and 3 years for property damage. Sending a demand letter does not pause these deadlines, so don't wait too long.
Do I have to send a demand letter before filing in Mississippi?
Mississippi does not always require a demand letter before suing, but sending one is strongly recommended: many courts expect it, it can resolve the dispute without filing, and it documents that you tried to settle in good faith — which helps your case if you do end up in Justice Court.

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