The short answer
Mississippi's security deposit deadline is usually 45 days, but not simply 45 days after move-out.
The 45-day period depends on three things:
- the tenancy has ended
- you delivered possession of the rental
- you demanded the deposit back
That demand step is the one renters should not miss.
Do this in writing
Mississippi law refers to demand by the tenant. A written demand is the cleanest way to prove that the demand happened.
Your demand should say:
- the rental address
- the date the tenancy ended
- the date you returned possession, keys, or access
- the deposit amount
- where the landlord should send the refund or written itemized statement
Keep a copy of the letter, email, text, certified-mail receipt, mailing receipt, or other proof.
What the landlord must send
If the landlord keeps any part of the deposit, the written notice must itemize the amounts claimed.
That means the response should identify what is being kept and how much is being claimed for each item. A vague explanation is harder to evaluate and harder to defend.
Why Mississippi is not a simple move-out countdown
If you moved out but never demanded the deposit back, the cleanest statutory 45-day argument may be harder to make.
That does not mean you should give up. It means your next step should usually be a clear written demand that starts a documented record.
If the 45 days have passed
If the tenancy ended, you returned possession, you demanded the deposit, and more than 45 days have passed, ask for:
- the full deposit balance, or
- a written itemized statement explaining each deduction and the remaining balance due
Keep the tone calm and factual. The demand date, possession date, and itemization record usually matter more than argument.
Official sources used for this guide
- Mississippi Attorney General - Residential Landlord and Tenant Act PDF
- Miss. Code section 89-8-21 text mirror
Source reviewed: April 2026.
Related
Important
This page provides general educational information and is not legal advice.