1. Premises
Landlord leases to Tenant and Tenant leases from Landlord the residential premises located at:
[[Full Property Address, including Unit/Apt Number if applicable, City, County, Mississippi, ZIP Code]]
(the "Premises"), together with any furnishings, appliances, parking spaces, and storage areas listed in Exhibit A (Move-In Inventory and Condition Report).
The Premises shall be used solely as a private residence by Tenant and the permitted occupants listed in Section 7. No business or commercial use is permitted without Landlord's prior written consent.
2. Term
The initial term of this Agreement begins on [[Lease Start Date]] and ends on [[Lease End Date]] (the "Initial Term"), unless sooner terminated or extended as provided herein.
Upon expiration of the Initial Term, if Tenant remains in possession with Landlord's consent and no new written agreement is executed, the tenancy shall convert to a month-to-month tenancy on the same terms and conditions, subject to termination by either party upon thirty (30) days' written notice as required by Mississippi law.
3. Rent
Tenant agrees to pay to Landlord as rent for the Premises the sum of $[[Monthly Rent Amount]] per month, payable in advance on the [[Rent Due Day, e.g., 1st]] day of each calendar month.
Rent shall be paid by [[Accepted Payment Methods]] to Landlord at [[Rent Payment Address or Online Portal Details]] or such other place as Landlord may designate in writing.
If the Initial Term commences on a day other than the first of the month, the first month's rent shall be prorated on a daily basis for the partial month.
4. Late Charges and Returned Payments
Rent is due on the due date. Mississippi law does not require a grace period. If rent is not received within the period specified in this Agreement or as permitted by law, Tenant may be charged a late fee that is a reasonable estimate of the actual damages suffered by Landlord. A returned or dishonored payment fee of $[[Returned Payment Fee]] may apply.
Landlord may pursue all remedies available under Mississippi law for nonpayment, including service of a three (3) day notice to pay rent or quit.
5. Security Deposit
Upon execution of this Agreement, Tenant shall pay to Landlord a security deposit in the amount of $[[Security Deposit Amount]].
Mississippi law does not impose a statutory maximum on security deposits for most residential tenancies, though the amount must be reasonable. Landlord shall hold the deposit in accordance with Miss. Code Ann. § 89-8-21.
The security deposit secures Tenant's faithful performance. Landlord may apply the deposit to remedy defaults in payment of rent, repair of damage beyond ordinary wear and tear, and cleaning required to return the Premises to move-in condition.
Within forty-five (45) days after termination of the tenancy and Tenant's vacating the Premises and demand by Tenant, Landlord shall either return the deposit or provide an itemized written statement of deductions together with payment of any balance.
If Landlord fails to comply with the 45-day requirement without good cause, Landlord may forfeit the right to make deductions and may be liable for penalties as provided by law.
Tenant may not apply the security deposit as the last month's rent.
6. Utilities and Services
Tenant shall be responsible for payment of the following utilities and services: [[List of Tenant-Paid Utilities]].
Landlord shall be responsible for: [[List of Landlord-Paid Utilities]].
Tenant shall have all Tenant-paid utilities placed in Tenant's name effective on the Lease Start Date and shall maintain continuous service.
7. Use of Premises; Occupants; Guests
The Premises shall be occupied only by Tenant and the following additional permitted occupants: [[Names and Ages of Additional Occupants or "none"]].
No additional persons may reside at the Premises for more than [[Guest Stay Limit, e.g., fourteen (14) consecutive days]] without Landlord's prior written consent.
Tenant shall use the Premises in a lawful manner and shall not permit any nuisance or activity that disturbs neighbors or violates law.
8. Pets
[[Pet Policy: e.g., No pets permitted without prior written consent. If consent is granted, a non-refundable pet fee of $[[Pet Fee]] and/or monthly pet rent of $[[Pet Rent]] shall apply. Tenant responsible for all pet damage.]]
Assistance animals required by law are permitted upon proper documentation without additional fees beyond damage.
9. Smoking Policy
[[Smoking Policy: e.g., No smoking of any kind inside the Premises. Violation may result in additional cleaning charges and termination.]]
10. Parking and Vehicles
Tenant is assigned parking space(s): [[Assigned Parking or "street parking only"]].
Only operable, registered, and insured vehicles may be parked in assigned spaces. Inoperable or unauthorized vehicles may be towed after notice required by law.
11. Maintenance - Landlord
Landlord shall maintain the Premises in a habitable condition and comply with all applicable building and housing codes. Landlord shall keep in good working order the roof, structural components, plumbing, electrical, heating, and air conditioning systems, and any appliances provided.
12. Maintenance - Tenant
Tenant shall keep the Premises clean and sanitary, properly use all systems, promptly notify Landlord in writing of needed repairs, and be responsible for damage caused by Tenant or guests beyond ordinary wear and tear.
13. Landlord's Right of Entry
Landlord may enter in case of emergency without notice. For other purposes (repairs, inspection, showing to prospective tenants), Landlord shall give Tenant at least twenty-four (24) hours' reasonable notice during normal hours, except as otherwise permitted by law or agreed by Tenant.
14. Default and Remedies
Tenant is in default if Tenant fails to pay rent when due, violates any material term of this Agreement, abandons the Premises, or engages in illegal activity.
Upon default, Landlord may serve appropriate notice under Mississippi law (including three-day pay-or-quit for nonpayment) and pursue all remedies, including termination, possession, unpaid rent, damages, and costs. Landlord shall not engage in self-help evictions.
15. Termination and Holdover
To terminate a month-to-month tenancy, either party must give thirty (30) days' written notice.
If Tenant remains after termination without consent, Tenant shall be a holdover and shall pay holdover rent of $[[Holdover Daily Rate]] per day plus all resulting damages.
16. Surrender of Premises
Upon termination, Tenant shall remove all personal property, return all keys and access devices, leave the Premises clean and in move-in condition (ordinary wear excepted), and provide a written forwarding address.
17. Assignment and Subletting
Tenant shall not assign or sublet without Landlord's prior written consent. Any attempted assignment or sublease without consent is void and a material breach.
18. Liability, Indemnity, and Insurance
Tenant assumes risk of loss to Tenant's personal property. Tenant shall indemnify Landlord against claims arising from Tenant's use or breach, except to the extent caused by Landlord's negligence or willful misconduct.
Tenant shall maintain renter's insurance with personal liability of at least $[[Renter's Insurance Minimum]] and provide proof upon request.
19. Notices
All notices shall be in writing. Notices to Tenant may be delivered to the Premises or by mail. Notices to Landlord shall be sent to the address in the preamble.
20. Governing Law
This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Mississippi. Venue lies in the county where the Premises is located.
21. Severability; Entire Agreement; Waiver
If any provision is invalid, the remainder remains in effect. This Agreement is the entire agreement and supersedes prior understandings. No waiver of one breach waives others.
22. Disclosures and Required Notices
Lead-Based Paint Disclosure (for pre-1978 housing): If the Premises was built before 1978, federal law requires disclosure of known lead-based paint and hazards and provision of the EPA pamphlet. Landlord has actual knowledge of lead-based paint or hazards: [[Yes/No/Unknown - if yes, describe]].
Other Disclosures: Landlord is not aware of any mold, bedbugs, or other conditions requiring disclosure beyond what is stated herein, except: [[Additional Disclosures or "None"]].
23. Signatures
LANDLORD
By: ______________________________________________ Date: ___________
Name/Title: [[Landlord Signatory Name and Title]]
TENANT
______________________________________________ [[Tenant Full Name(s)]] Date: ___________
______________________________________________ [[Additional Tenant]] Date: ___________
Sample template - not professional legal advice. Verify all figures, disclosures, and procedures against current Mississippi statutes (Miss. Code Ann. §§ 89-8-1 et seq. and related provisions) and any local requirements before use. Deposit return is 45 days per § 89-8-21. Lead-based paint rules are federal. Provisions current as of 2026-06. Consult an attorney for jurisdiction-specific application.
Exhibits
Exhibit A - Move-In / Move-Out Inventory and Condition Report
Exhibit B - Rules and Regulations (if any)
Exhibit C - Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Addendum (if pre-1978)
Mississippi Residential Lease Agreement for [[Tenant Full Name(s)]] at [[Full Property Address]] - term [[Lease Start Date]] to [[Lease End Date]].
24. Additional Provisions
[[Insert any additional negotiated terms, pet addenda, parking rules, or special conditions here. If none, state "No additional provisions."]]
Tenant acknowledges receipt of a copy of this Agreement and all exhibits.
