Jackson, Mississippi: Small Claims for a Security Deposit

Limits: $3,500 (Justice Court statewide (Miss. Code § 9-11-9; official courts.ms.gov still lists $3,500) only). E-filing: Not verified. Court: Jackson County Justice Court.

Filing facts

State small claims limits	$3,500 (Justice Court statewide (Miss. Code § 9-11-9; official courts.ms.gov still lists $3,500) only)
Statewide filing fee	Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. Official court website
E-filing	Not verified
Time limit to sue in Mississippi	3 years.
State deposit return deadline	45 calendar days after the termination of the tenancy, the delivery of possession, and demand by the tenant.
Penalty formula	retention in violation of this section and with absence of good faith may subject landlord or transferee to damages not to exceed $200 in addition to any actual damages. Bad faith required: Yes.
Deposit statute	Miss. Code Ann. § 89-8-21

Where to file

Jackson County Justice Court

Courthouse city: Pascagoula

Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk.

Official court website

Court page check not recorded

See how to file in Mississippi for the state filing procedure.

Rent and deposits in Jackson

County median gross rent: $1,087 per month.

County median gross rent by bedroom count
Bedrooms	Monthly rent
Studio	$853
1 bedroom	$838
2 bedrooms	$951
3 bedrooms	$1,209
4 bedrooms	$1,450

Illustrative deposit example computed from the county median rent: one month of the Census two-bedroom median is $951; two months is $1,902. This is an example computed from the county median, not a legal cap or a survey of deposits. The calculations below use the one-month deposit of $951.

State legal maximum deposit in Mississippi: No statutory maximum under § 89-8-21.

Total households in Jackson: 57,027.

Renter households: 15,984 (28% of all households).

Renters spending more than half their household income on rent: 11.7%. A delayed deposit refund can leave these households with less money for their next rent payment.

County rent and household source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, tables B25064, B25031, B25003, B25070. Accessed 2026-09-21.

Will my deposit claim fit the limit?

Using the county Census figure: two-bedroom median gross rent for Jackson, $951 per month.

The deposit range does not include penalties, interest, or other amounts you may claim.

Compared with $3,500 (Justice Court statewide (Miss. Code § 9-11-9; official courts.ms.gov still lists $3,500) only), the whole deposit range fits.

A claim above the applicable limit must either be reduced to that limit or go to a different court.

Towns this court serves

A deposit claim is usually filed where the property sits or where the landlord is.

Gautier
Moss Point
Ocean Springs
Pascagoula

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census place-to-county relationship file.

Free help in Jackson

Mississippi Center for Legal Services
free civil legal help for eligible low-income people in 43 southern and central Mississippi counties
Phone: 1-800-519-2915

Statewide help

North Mississippi Rural Legal Services
free civil representation for low-income people in the northern 39 counties of Mississippi
Phone: 1-800-898-8731

These are independent organisations, not DemandLetterLab.

From letter to filing

Send a Mississippi security deposit demand letter stating the deposit amount supported by your records.
Before you file: review the deposit return deadlines above and allow the typical response window of 45 days after your letter.
Time limit to sue in Mississippi: 3 years.
Check the court's filing instructions. Keep your lease, payment records, photos, letter, and proof of delivery ready.

This template uses Mississippi law. Your county decides where you file, not which law applies.

Choose how to send your letter

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$49, done for you.

We write the letter from the facts you send, mail it by USPS Certified Mail with tracking, and send you the tracking number and a PDF record of what was sent.

Mailed within 2 business days of your completed form, or a full refund.

Document preparation and mailing, not legal advice. We do not assess your claim, choose a strategy, or promise a recovery.

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A print-ready PDF of the Mississippi letter template, ready to download after payment.

Certified-mail instructions: what to ask for at the counter and what it costs.
Mississippi small-claims details: the limit, the deadline to sue, and where to file.

You fill in the template, print it, and pay postage. The same letter template is also available free by email below. The kit adds the print-ready PDF, mailing guide, and local details in one place.

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Free Mississippi template, built from verified state data

Methodology: every statute verified against primary sources. See how verification works.

I rented [rental property address] from [lease start date] to [move-out date]. I paid a security deposit of $[amount]. I returned the keys on [date] and gave you my forwarding address in writing on [date]. Under Mississippi law (Miss. Code Ann. § 89-8-21), a landlord must return the deposit or send a written, itemized list of deductions within 45 calendar days after the termination of the tenancy, the delivery of possession, and demand by the tenant.

FAQ

How much does it cost to file in Jackson?

Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. Official court website

How long do I have to sue?

Time limit to sue in Mississippi: 3 years.

Where do I file?

Jackson County Justice Court. Courthouse city: Pascagoula. Check the court's instructions for the right filing location.