Mississippi Landlord Rules for Heat and Hot Water

If you’re renting a home or apartment in Mississippi and are having trouble with heat or hot water, knowing your rights is important. Landlords in Mississippi must meet certain legal requirements to ensure your rental is habitable. This guide explains your rights regarding heat and hot water in Mississippi, and offers practical steps you can take if repairs or maintenance are needed.

Understanding Habitability in Mississippi Rentals

By law, Mississippi landlords must provide and maintain rental units that are safe, sanitary, and fit to live in. This includes basic utilities such as heat (when supplied) and hot water, which are considered essential to habitability.^[1]

What Does Mississippi Law Require?

• Landlords must keep plumbing, heating, and hot water systems in good and safe working order if they are provided as part of the lease.
• If your lease agreement says that the landlord supplies heat or hot water, those systems must work properly and be reasonably maintained.
• Mississippi law does not set a specific temperature or hour requirement for heat and hot water, but systems must provide reasonable comfort and safety depending on the season.^[1]

Always check your lease, as some rental agreements may include more specific requirements.

Who Is Responsible for Repairs?

• Landlord’s duty: Generally, the landlord is responsible for fixing heating or hot water problems—unless your lease says otherwise or you caused the problem.
• Tenant’s duty: You must notify your landlord in writing about the issue and allow them a reasonable time to repair it.

If your landlord doesn’t respond promptly, you have certain legal options, described in the next section.

What to Do If You Have No Heat or Hot Water

If you experience issues with heat or hot water, here’s how to address the problem as a Mississippi renter:

• Document: Keep records of when the problem started and all communications with your landlord.
• Notify in Writing: Mississippi law suggests (but doesn’t require a form) that you give written notice describing the problem and ask for repairs. This starts the legal timeline for your landlord to act.
• Allow Reasonable Time: The landlord usually has 14 days to address non-emergency repairs like heat or hot water issues, unless the issue is urgent.^[2]

Taking Further Action

• If the landlord does not repair within a reasonable time, you may be able to:
• Terminate your lease with proper written notice
• Seek damages through local courts
• You can contact the court that handles landlord-tenant matters in your county if the issue affects safety and habitability. In Mississippi, this is typically the County Justice Court.

Forms for Repair Requests and Complaints

• No official state form is required for requesting repairs in Mississippi, but renters should use written notice. Your notice should state the problem, request a repair, and include the date.
• For court action, the Justice Court Complaint for Breach of Lease (no official form number) can be used to start a legal case if the landlord fails to make essential repairs.

• How it’s used: After written notice and no repair, file this form with the Justice Court to ask for an order or damages. For example: If your landlord ignores written requests to fix broken heat, file the complaint with court staff at your county’s Justice Court.

For questions, contact your local Justice Court—see the Mississippi Justice Court Directory for locations.

Relevant Legislation and Tribunal

The main law covering heat, hot water, and other habitability issues in Mississippi is the Mississippi Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Miss. Code Ann. § 89-8).

Landlord-tenant disputes are handled by your local Justice Court.

FAQ: Mississippi Heat and Hot Water Requirements

1. Does my landlord have to provide heat in Mississippi?
   Only if your lease says heat is included, or if it’s an essential part of the rental unit’s habitability. Landlords are responsible for ensuring working heat if it’s supplied.
2. What can I do if I have no hot water?
   Notify your landlord in writing as soon as possible. If they don’t fix the problem in a reasonable time (usually 14 days), you may end your lease or take court action.
3. Can I withhold rent if repairs aren’t made?
   No, Mississippi law does not allow tenants to withhold rent for repair issues. Instead, follow legal notice steps and consider court action if necessary.
4. Is there a required temperature for heat in Mississippi rentals?
   No set temperature is defined by state law; the system must provide reasonable heating for comfort and safety.
5. What official form can I use for a repair complaint?
   Use the Justice Court Complaint for Breach of Lease if the landlord won’t make repairs after written notice.

Key Takeaways for Renters

• Mississippi law protects your right to safe, working heat and hot water if they are included in your rental agreement.
• Always send repair requests in writing and keep records.
• If repairs aren’t made, consider filing a complaint using official court forms and contacting your county Justice Court.

Being informed about local laws helps you address issues quickly and effectively.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• Mississippi Justice Courts Directory – Find your local court for landlord-tenant issues
• Mississippi Center for Legal Services – Free legal help for eligible renters
• HUD Mississippi Renter Resources – Federal housing support and complaint information

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1. See Miss. Code Ann. § 89-8-23 – Landlord Obligations
2. See Miss. Code Ann. § 89-8-15 – Tenant Remedies

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