Mississippi Governor Signs Rental Bill into Law

April 25, 2007 • Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour has signed House Bill 206 into law, making it a crime to not return rental equipment at the end of a rental period. Under the law, effective July 1, 2007, it is illegal to abandon or refuse to return personal property as required by the rental agreement.

 

Violations of the law would be a misdemeanor, unless the value of the property or equipment is $500 or more, in which case the offense constitutes a felony.

 

Demand for the return of equipment may be done in person, by hand delivery or by certified mail to the renter's address as shown on the rental contract. According to the law, the failure to return the property within five days is evidence of fraudulent intent on the part of the lessee, as is the failure to pay the amount due for the rental.