Carroll County is a small, rural central Mississippi county named for Charles Carroll, the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence. Founded in 1833, it is one of Mississippi’s older counties, and its county seat of Carrollton — population around 350 — features a beautifully preserved 1878 courthouse that is one of the finest examples of antebellum courthouse architecture still in use in the South. The county has two judicial districts: the Northern District centered on Carrollton (and the nearby community of North Carrollton), and the Southern District centered on Vaiden. With approximately 10,000 total residents, Carroll County is small and predominantly agricultural, with timber production and county government rounding out the economic base.
The rental market is thin and concentrated in the county’s larger communities — North Carrollton, Vaiden, and Carrollton. Prevailing rents run $500 to $800 per month for single-family homes. Carroll County has no County Court — all eviction proceedings are handled by the Carroll County Justice Court. Because the county has two districts, file in the district where the rental property is located: North District at 105 Washington St., Carrollton, (662) 237-9274; South District in Vaiden, (662) 464-8868.
📊 Quick Stats
County Seat
Carrollton
Population
~10,000
Key Communities
Carrollton, North Carrollton, Vaiden, McCarley
Court System
Justice Court (2 districts — file by property location)
Median Rent
~$500–$800/mo
Rent Control
None
Just-Cause Eviction
Not required
⚡ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
3-Day Notice to Pay or Vacate
Lease Violation
14-Day Notice to Cure or Vacate
Month-to-Month Term.
30-Day Written Notice
Filing Fee
~$50–$100
North District Court
105 Washington St., Carrollton — (662) 237-9274
South District Court
Vaiden — (662) 464-8868
Max Timeline
45 days from filing (hard cap)
Security Deposit Return
45 days after demand
Carroll County Ordinances & Local Rules
Topic
Rule / Notes
Rental Licensing
No county-level rental license required. No known local registration programs. Mississippi state law governs exclusively.
Rent Control
None. No Carroll County or local ordinance restricts rents. Landlords may set and adjust rents freely.
Security Deposit
No statutory cap. Return with itemized accounting within 45 days after termination, delivery of possession, and written tenant demand. Wrongful retention: $200 plus actual damages (§ 89-8-21).
Court Filing — Two Districts
North District: Justice Court, 105 Washington St., Carrollton, MS 38917, (662) 237-9274. South District: Justice Court, Vaiden, MS 39176, (662) 464-8868. File in the district where the rental property is located. No County Court in Carroll County.
Source of Income
No state or local source of income protections. Landlords are not required to accept Housing Choice Vouchers.
Historic Courthouse Note
The 1878 Carroll County Courthouse in Carrollton is a National Historic Landmark and one of Mississippi’s finest surviving antebellum courthouse structures. Properties in Carrollton’s historic core may be subject to local historic preservation considerations for exterior modifications — verify with town officials before undertaking exterior renovation on historic properties.
Self-Help Eviction
Prohibited under Mississippi law. Justice Court is the only lawful eviction remedy.
Mississippi has two parallel eviction frameworks: Chapter 7 (§89-7-27, general/non-residential) and Chapter 8 (§89-8-13, Residential Landlord and Tenant Act). For RESIDENTIAL tenants, §89-8-13(5) provides the 3-day notice for nonpayment. Tenant can stop the eviction by paying all unpaid rent and costs by the court-ordered move-out date. After judgment, court orders tenant to vacate within 7 days (§89-8-39(1)). Tenant has 72 hours after writ execution to remove personal property (§89-7-31). Filing fees typically $75-$100 depending on county. Notice can be delivered via email/text if tenant agreed in writing to receive notices that way.
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the Justice Court / County Court. Pay the filing fee (~$75).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Mississippi eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified Mississippi attorney or local legal aid organization.
🔍 Reduce Your Risk Before Signing a Lease:
Mississippi landlords who screen tenants carefully before signing a lease significantly
reduce their risk of ending up in eviction court. Understanding
tenant screening in Mississippi —
including background checks, credit history, income verification, and rental references — is one of the most
cost-effective steps you can take to protect your rental property. Before you ever need Mississippi's
eviction process, proper tenant screening can help
you identify red flags early and avoid problem tenancies altogether.
Ready to File?
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AI-generated, state-specific eviction notices, pay-or-quit letters, lease termination documents, and more — pre-filled with your tenant's information and built to Mississippi requirements.
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⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
Underground Landlord
🏘️ Communities & Screening Tips
Key communities: Carrollton, North Carrollton, Vaiden, McCarley, Coila.
Two-district county: Know which district your property is in before filing. North District files in Carrollton; South District files in Vaiden. Filing in the wrong district can delay proceedings.
Very small market — patience in screening pays off. Local government and school employees are the most stable tenant segment. Agricultural workers require annual income verification.
Background checks, eviction history, credit reports — get the full picture before handing over the keys.
Carroll County Mississippi Landlord-Tenant Law: Complete Guide for Rental Owners in Carrollton and Vaiden
Carroll County is one of Mississippi’s historically significant rural counties, named for Charles Carroll of Carrollton — the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence — and established in 1833. The county seat of Carrollton is notable for its magnificent 1878 courthouse, a two-story brick structure with a signature white cupola that has anchored the town square for nearly 150 years and is one of the most photographed courthouse buildings in Mississippi. The county’s two judicial districts — centered on Carrollton in the north and Vaiden in the south — reflect the geographic spread of a county that spans a significant swath of central Mississippi.
Market, Law, and Filing
With approximately 10,000 residents, Carroll County has one of the smallest rental markets in central Mississippi. Rents of $500 to $800 per month reflect an agricultural and timber economy with modest incomes. All tenancies are governed by Mississippi’s Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (§§ 89-8-1 through 89-8-29). No rent control, no just-cause eviction requirement, no source of income protections. Security deposits have no statutory cap — return with itemized accounting within 45 days of the three-part trigger (termination, possession delivery, written demand).
Carroll County has no County Court — Justice Court handles all evictions. The key operational detail is the two-district structure: file in the district where the rental property is located. North District (Carrollton properties): 105 Washington St., Carrollton, (662) 237-9274. South District (Vaiden-area properties): Vaiden, (662) 464-8868. Begin with a 3-Day Notice to Pay or Vacate (§ 89-7-27) for nonpayment, or a 14-Day Notice to Cure (§ 89-8-13) for violations. File a sworn affidavit after the notice period. Hearing within 3 to 5 days of summons. Hard cap: 45 days total from filing. Sheriff enforces the removal warrant.
This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed Mississippi attorney or contact Carroll County Justice Court for guidance specific to your tenancy. Last updated: March 2026.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed Mississippi attorney or contact Carroll County Justice Court for specific guidance. Last updated: March 2026.
