MS SB2618

Enacts the Mississippi Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, establishing comprehensive regulations for residential rental agreements including definitions, landlord and tenant duties, notice requirements, and eviction procedures

Requires landlords to maintain habitable premises with working utilities, proper weatherproofing, pest control, functioning smoke alarms, and safe common areas, while prohibiting self-help evictions with a $1,000 penalty for violations

Establishes tenant protections including 14-day notice periods to cure most lease violations, 7-day notice for nonpayment of rent, mandatory return of security deposits within 45 days, and the right to repair defects and deduct costs (up to one month's rent) if landlord fails to act within 30 days

Creates formal eviction procedures requiring court filings, proper summons with tenant rights notification, minimum 7 days to vacate after judgment, and 72 hours to remove personal property after warrant execution

Repeals the existing Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Sections 89-8-1 through 89-8-29) and would take effect July 1, 2022