Improvements to Real Property – when payment is due. Section 87-7-3 of the Mississippi Code applies to all payments due to a contractor under all construction contracts (excluding public construction contracts). With respect to partial, progress or interim payments, they must be paid whenever the parties’ contract says they are due. If such payments are [..]
Have your property taxes been sold? The tax sale process Like many other states, Mississippi counties collect property taxes. The county holds a local overbid auction to sell delinquent property taxes to investors. This is an efficient way for the county to continue to stay above water, and for investors to obtain a solid investment [..]
It has become increasingly commonplace for a subdivision to be subjected to a set of protective covenants (also referred to as restrictive covenants). The usual process involves a developer of a subdivision recording a set of covenants in the land records at the very beginning of the development. Then, when lots or houses are sold, [..]
For most people, the purchase of a home is the largest purchase they will ever make. Buying a home and then discovering defects can have serious ramifications. So, what options are available to you? The New Home Warranty Act In Mississippi, the buyer of a home can pursue a builder under a number of legal [..]
Note: This article applies to rent paid on residential property such as apartments and homes. Different rules apply to commercial property. Mississippi’s Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. This Mississippi Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (the “Act”) can be found starting at Section 89-8-1 of the Mississippi Code. The Act covers many issues between a landlord [..]
As we all know, in Mississippi, a landowner must pay property taxes each year. Yet, there are times when someone else is paying the taxes instead of the owner. For example, someone may pay the taxes to help out a family member. Or, someone who is renting the land may pay the taxes so that [..]
The doctrine of “adverse possession” refers to the ability acquire legal ownership of land belonging to someone else by simply using that land for a long period of time. A person who seeks to acquire legal ownership by adverse possession must demonstrate all of the following. Use of land belonging to another. The most common [..]
As we all know, a deed filed in the land records documents the ownership of property. In Mississippi, there are several types of deeds. You should understand the differences between them and whether they favor the buyer or the seller. The quitclaim deed The most seller-friendly is the quitclaim deed. When a seller quitclaims [..]
You fell behind on your mortgage payments. The bank foreclosed on your home and bought it at foreclosure. Now, the bank has filed a lawsuit against you, claiming you still owe money. What are your options? The bank’s claim is called a lawsuit for a deficiency judgment. The bank is saying that the price it [..]
Home One spouse trying to sell the family home without consent of the other I see this question a lot. Sometimes both spouses own a home and the deed lists both as owners. Other times, only one spouse owns the house. In either instance, the answer is “no”. One spouse cannot sell the couple’s [..]