Evicting a bad tenant in Mississippi costs ~$6,035.
How Mississippi handles evictions
Three-day pay-or-quit; landlord-friendly. Residential evictions follow the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Miss. Code Ann. ch. 89-8).
The eviction process in Mississippi, step by step
Governed by Miss. Code Ann. § 89-8-1 et seq. (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act).
- 1
Serve noticeDay 0–14
3-day pay-or-quit for nonpayment or 14-day cure notice for lease violations (Miss. Code Ann. § 89-8-13). Email/text notice is valid if the tenant agreed in writing.
- 2
File in Justice CourtAfter notice expires
Sworn affidavit/complaint filed once the notice period lapses.
- 3
Summons issued and served+2–5 days
Summons commands the tenant to vacate or appear and show cause (§ 89-8-35); served by sheriff or constable.
- 4
Hearing≥5 days after summons
Held at least 5 days after the summons issues (§ 89-8-35).
- 5
Judgment of possessionHearing day
Tenant is ordered to vacate within 7 days (§ 89-8-39).
- 6
Warrant of removal / lockoutDay +7 onward
Executed by sheriff/constable if the tenant remains; for nonpayment, no warrant issues if the tenant pays everything owed by the move-out date (§ 89-8-39).
Mississippi court fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Filing fee (Justice Court) | $25 statutory base; ~$85 typical with county assessments |
| Sheriff/constable service | $45 per process |
| Warrant of removal execution | No separate fee (standard $45 service) |
Required notice periods in Mississippi
Nonpayment of rent
3 days' written notice to pay or vacate
Lease violation
14 days' notice specifying the breach; repeat violation within 6 months: 14 days with no right to cure
No cause / end of term
30 days' written notice (month-to-month)
Statute: Miss. Code Ann. §§ 89-8-13, 89-8-19
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Mississippi eviction cost FAQ
How much does it cost to evict someone in Mississippi?
Expect roughly $200–$250 all-in in Justice Court: the statutory filing fee is $25 (Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-25) but counties commonly charge about $85 with assessments, plus a $45 sheriff/constable service fee (§ 25-7-19). Attorney fees, if used, are extra.
How long does an eviction take in Mississippi?
Typically 3–6 weeks for an uncontested nonpayment case: a 3-day notice (§ 89-8-13), a hearing set at least 5 days after the summons issues (§ 89-8-35), then a 7-day period to vacate after judgment (§ 89-8-39).
How much notice do I give before evicting for nonpayment in Mississippi?
3 days' written notice to pay or surrender the premises (Miss. Code Ann. § 89-8-13). Notice by email or text is valid if the tenant agreed in writing to be notified that way.
How much notice is required for a lease violation in Mississippi?
14 days: the notice must specify the breach, and the lease terminates no less than 14 days after receipt if the tenant does not remedy it. If substantially the same violation recurs within 6 months, 14 days' notice with no right to cure (§ 89-8-13).
Can the sheriff remove the tenant immediately after the hearing in Mississippi?
No. The judgment orders the tenant to vacate within 7 days; the warrant of removal is executed only if they remain, and for nonpayment, not at all if the tenant pays in full by the move-out date (§ 89-8-39).
How much is the eviction filing fee in Mississippi?
$85, filed with the Justice Court. Service, writ, and execution fees are typically extra and vary by county/court.
What court handles evictions in Mississippi?
Evictions in Mississippi are handled by the Justice Court.
Sources & methodology
The filing fee is the Justice Court's published fee, last checked against the fee schedule on 2026-07-02. The timeline and typical rent are estimates. Property damage ($2,500), legal fees ($1,000) and turnover ($1,500) are round planning figures, the same for every state, not costs measured in Mississippi. Real costs vary by county, whether the tenant contests, and the market. Primary statute: Miss. Code Ann. § 89-8-1 et seq. (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act).
- Miss. Code Ann. § 89-8-13 (grounds & notice)
- Miss. Code Ann. § 89-8-35 (summons & hearing)
- Miss. Code Ann. § 89-8-39 (order to vacate & warrant of removal)
- Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-25 (Justice Court fees)
- Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-19 (sheriff fees)
This page is general information, not legal advice. Consult a local attorney for your specific situation.