Lamar County Landlord-Tenant Law

Mississippi landlord guide — county ordinances, courthouse info & local rules

Lamar County Rental Market Overview

Lamar County occupies the Pine Belt region of southeast Mississippi, bordered to the north and east by Forrest County and the city of Hattiesburg. That proximity is the defining fact of the county’s rental market: Lamar County functions as the suburban and residential overflow zone for the Hattiesburg metropolitan area, drawing families, professionals, and retirees who want lower-density living within commuting distance of Hattiesburg’s employment, healthcare, and university anchors. The county’s population has grown steadily for decades — from about 24,000 in 1980 to an estimated 67,800 today — one of the faster growth trajectories of any Mississippi county. Its northeastern quarter, anchored by the community of West Hattiesburg, accounts for most of that growth and hosts the bulk of the county’s rental activity.

The county seat of Purvis, a small city of roughly 2,000 residents, serves as the administrative and governmental center but is not the economic engine of the county. The largest employment sectors in Lamar County are educational, health, and social services, followed by arts, entertainment, and food services, and retail trade — all heavily influenced by the Hattiesburg metro economy directly to the north. Lamar County has a County Court, which holds exclusive jurisdiction over eviction proceedings. The courthouse complex is in Purvis, and filings for unlawful entry and detainer actions go there regardless of where in the county the rental property is located. Median contract rent in the county runs around $875 per month, with the West Hattiesburg corridor at the higher end and the rural south and west at the lower end.

Lamar County Ordinances & Local Rules

Last verified: March 2026 · Source: Lamar County Circuit Clerk

Mississippi State Law Framework

⚡ Quick Overview

3

Days Notice (Nonpayment)

14

Days Notice (Violation)

14-28

Avg Total Days

$75

Filing Fee (Approx)

💰 Nonpayment of Rent

Notice Type 3-Day Notice to Pay or Vacate

Notice Period 3 days

Tenant Can Cure? Yes

Days to Hearing 3-7 days

Days to Writ 3-5 days

Total Estimated Timeline 14-28 days

Total Estimated Cost $75-$200

⚠️ Watch Out

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.

📜 Eviction Laws Main 📊 Compare This State

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📝 Mississippi Eviction Process (Overview)

1. Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
2. Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
3. File an eviction case with the Justice Court / County Court. Pay the filing fee (~$75).
4. Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
5. Attend the court hearing and present your case.
6. If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
7. 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.

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Underground Landlord

🔍 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.

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Lamar County Mississippi Landlord-Tenant Law: A Guide for Rental Owners in Purvis, West Hattiesburg, and the Pine Belt

Lamar County is one of Mississippi’s fastest-growing counties, and the primary reason is geography. Tucked directly against the southern edge of Forrest County and the Hattiesburg city limits, Lamar has become the suburban growth corridor for the Hattiesburg metropolitan area. Families who want newer construction, lower density, and good schools — but still need access to Hattiesburg’s jobs, medical facilities, and the University of Southern Mississippi — have pushed Lamar County’s population from under 25,000 in 1980 to an estimated 67,800 today. That growth has built one of the more dynamic rental markets in the Mississippi Pine Belt, particularly in the unincorporated West Hattiesburg corridor that anchors the county’s northeast quadrant.

Two Rental Markets in One County

Lamar County operates as two distinct rental submarkets separated by roughly 20 miles of pine-forested two-lanes. The first is the West Hattiesburg / Oak Grove corridor — unincorporated county land that looks and functions like a suburb, with apartment complexes, subdivisions, strip retail, and a workforce mix of healthcare employees, USM-connected workers, retail and service staff, and military-adjacent personnel from nearby Camp Shelby. Rents here are the county’s highest, tracking close to Hattiesburg proper. The second submarket is the rural county — Purvis, Sumrall, Lumberton, and the smaller communities in the south and west. This market is quieter, slower-turning, and characterized by single-family homes, modest rents, and long-tenured tenants who tend toward government employment, timber and agriculture work, and local services.

For landlords, these two zones require different management approaches. The West Hattiesburg market rewards aggressive screening because turnover volume is higher and tenant income sources are more varied. The rural market rewards relationship-based management and patient leasing, where a good tenant at slightly below-market rent is often a better outcome than a rapid turnover cycle. The county’s median contract rent of around $875 per month masks considerable variation between these zones.

Filing Evictions: Lamar County Court in Purvis

Lamar County has a County Court, which holds exclusive jurisdiction over unlawful entry and detainer proceedings. The courthouse complex is in Purvis, with the main Circuit and County Court operations at 203 Main Street (P.O. Box 369), Purvis, MS 39475, phone (601) 794-8504, Circuit Clerk Martin Hankins. The Chancery and County Court building is at 403 Main Street. Confirm the current eviction filing counter with the clerk before filing, as the two buildings serve different functions. All eviction actions for properties anywhere in Lamar County — including the West Hattiesburg corridor — are filed in Purvis.

The eviction process begins with proper written notice. For nonpayment of rent, serve a 3-Day Notice to Pay or Vacate (§ 89-7-27). For lease violations, a 14-Day Notice to Cure or Vacate is required (§ 89-8-13). After the notice period expires without resolution, file a sworn Complaint for Unlawful Entry and Detainer with the County Court. The sheriff will serve the summons, a hearing is set within days, and the entire process is capped at 45 days from filing. The Lamar County Sheriff’s Office enforces Writs of Possession. Keep complete documentation — lease, all notices with delivery confirmation, and a record of any payments or communications — ready for the hearing.

This guide is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed Mississippi attorney or contact the Lamar County Circuit Clerk at (601) 794-8504 for guidance specific to your situation. Last updated: March 2026.