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HB442 • 2026

Landlord Tenant Law; revise duties for repair of defects by tenant.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 89-8-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE ELEMENTS NECESSARY FOR A TENANT TO BE REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS TO DEFECTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Housing
Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor
Nelson
Last action
2026-02-03
Official status
Dead
Effective date
July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Landlord Tenant Law; Changes for Repairing Defects

This bill changes the rules about when a tenant can fix problems in their rental home and get money back from the landlord.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes how tenants can be reimbursed by landlords if they fix problems with their rental property.
  • Requires tenants to notify other residents before fixing shared facilities and arrange work to cause minimal inconvenience.
  • Limits the amount a tenant can claim for repairs to what is usually charged.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Tenants who live in rental properties
  • Landlords of rental properties

Terms To Know

Defect
A problem or fault with the property that needs fixing.
Reimbursement
Getting money back from someone for expenses you paid.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill did not pass and will not become law.
  • It only affects Mississippi state laws.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    02/03 (H) Died In Committee

  2. 2026-01-12 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    01/12 (H) Referred To Judiciary A

Official Summary Text

Landlord Tenant Law; revise duties for repair of defects by tenant.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
H. B. No. 442 *HR43/R231* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR43/R231
PAGE 1 (GT\KP)

To: Judiciary A
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Nelson

HOUSE BILL NO. 442

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 89-8-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO 1
REVISE THE ELEMENTS NECESSARY FOR A TENANT TO BE REIMBURSED FOR 2
REPAIRS TO DEFECTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 4
SECTION 1. Section 89-8-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 5
amended as follows: 6
89-8-15. (1) If, within thirty (30) days after written 7
notice to the landlord of a specific and material defect which 8
constitutes a breach of the terms of the rental agreement or of 9
the obligation of the landlord under Section 89-8-23, the landlord 10
fails to repair such defect, the tenant: 11
(a) May repair the defect; and 12
(b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2) of 13
this section, shall be entitled to reimbursement of the expenses 14
of such repairs within forty-five (45) days after submission to 15
the landlord of receipted bills for such work, provided that: 16
(i) The tenant has fulfilled the obligations 17
required under Section 89-8-25; and 18
H. B. No. 442 *HR43/R231* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR43/R231
PAGE 2 (GT\KP)
ST: Landlord Tenant Law; revise duties for
repair of defects by tenant.
* * * 19
( * * *ii) The tenant is current in rental 20
payments. 21
(2) A tenant shall not be entitled to be reimbursed for 22
repairs made pursuant to this section in an amount greater than 23
the usual and customary charge for such repairs. 24
(3) Before correcting a condition affecting facilities 25
shared by more than one (1) dwelling unit, the tenant shall notify 26
all other tenants sharing such facilities of the plans for the 27
repairs and shall so arrange the work as to create the least 28
practicable inconvenience to the other tenants. 29
(4) The cost of repairs made by a tenant pursuant to this 30
section may be offset against future rent. 31
(5) No provision of this section shall be construed to grant 32
a lien against the real property. 33
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 34
and after July 1, 2026. 35