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Legal Rights Handbook

Missouri Renter Rights & Landlord Laws 2025

Everything tenants and landlords need to know about Missouri housing laws. Eviction rules, deposits, and rights.

Updated January 15, 2026
5 min read

Renter Rights & Landlord Laws Guide: Missouri (2025)

Audience: Renters and Landlords
Jurisdiction: State of Missouri
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change and may vary by municipality. Always consult a qualified attorney for specific legal issues.

1. Overview: Tenant-Friendly or Landlord-Friendly?

Missouri is widely considered a Landlord-Friendly state. The legal framework generally favors property owners, particularly regarding the speed of eviction and the lack of rent control. While specific rights exist to protect tenants from unsafe conditions, the burden of proof and procedural adherence usually falls heavily on the tenant.

  • Landlord Friendliness Score: High
  • Key Takeaway: For landlords, the legal path to removing a non-paying tenant is efficient. For tenants, strict adherence to lease terms and prompt communication is essential to avoid rapid escalation of disputes.

2. Security Deposits

Missouri law provides specific guidelines on how security deposits must be handled, though it does not limit the amount a landlord may charge.

For Landlords (Risk Management)

  • Limit: No statutory limit on the amount (must be "reasonable").
  • Holding Requirements: You must hold the deposit in a separate account (trust or escrow) in a Missouri financial institution.
  • Return Deadline: You must return the deposit within 30 days of the tenant moving out.
  • Itemized Deductions: If you withhold any portion of the deposit for damages, you must provide the tenant with a written itemized list of deductions.

For Tenants (Protection)

  • Right to Interest: Landlords are generally not required to pay interest on security deposits in Missouri.
  • Move-In/Move-Out Inspection: While not strictly mandated by state law for every lease, it is highly recommended to document the property's condition with photos or video upon moving in and out to dispute unfair deductions.
  • Penalties: If a landlord fails to return the deposit or provide an itemized statement within 30 days, they may forfeit their right to withhold any of the deposit and could be liable for up to twice the amount wrongfully withheld, plus court costs.

3. Eviction Rules

Missouri offers one of the fastest eviction timelines in the U.S., specifically for non-payment of rent.

For Landlords (The Process)

  • Notice Period (Non-Payment): Immediate.
    • In Missouri, for non-payment of rent, a landlord can serve a "Notice to Quit" giving the tenant 3 days to pay or vacate. However, the process can technically move very quickly, and in some cases, immediate filing is permitted if the lease explicitly states that time is of the essence.
  • Court Process: If the tenant does not pay or leave within the notice period, you can file a lawsuit (Forcible Entry and Detainer) in the local associate circuit court.
  • Timeline: From filing to a court hearing, it can take as little as a few weeks. If you win, the court issues a writ of restitution, giving the tenant 24 hours to move out before law enforcement enforces removal.

For Tenants (The Risk)

  • No "Self-Help" Evictions: Landlords cannot lock you out, shut off utilities, or remove your belongings without a court order. This is illegal.
  • Retaliation: If you report code violations, the landlord cannot evict you or change lease terms in retaliation (within 6 months of your report).
  • The "3-Day" Clock: If you receive a 3-day notice, take it seriously. Once the 3 days expire, the landlord can file for eviction immediately. You generally cannot stop the eviction process by paying late fees after the notice period expires unless the court approves it.

4. Landlord Entry

Unlike many other aspects of Missouri landlord-tenant law, entry rules are not explicitly defined by state statute. However, common law and lease agreements dictate the standard.

For Landlords

  • Notice: While not codified in state statute, entering a tenant's unit without permission (except in emergencies) is risky. Standard practice and potential trespassing laws suggest providing at least 24 hours' notice before entering for inspections, repairs, or showings.
  • Lease Agreement: Your best protection is a clear clause in the lease defining entry protocols.

For Tenants

  • Privacy: You have a reasonable expectation of privacy. If a landlord enters repeatedly without notice or permission, it may constitute harassment or "constructive eviction."
  • Action: If entry is non-emergency and no notice is given, document the incidents and send a written complaint to the landlord.

5. Rent Control

The Reality

Missouri state law prohibits rent control.

  • Statewide Preemption: Under RSMo § 442.251, no municipality or county in Missouri can enact a maximum rent ceiling.
  • Major Cities: This applies to St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, and Columbia. Landlords have the right to charge market rates and increase rent at the end of a lease term (or with proper notice for month-to-month tenancies).
  • Lease Term Protection: A landlord cannot raise rent during a fixed-term lease (e.g., a 12-month lease) unless the lease specifically allows for it (which is rare).

6. Special Warning for Landlords

Theme: Efficiency requires Precision.

Because Missouri is landlord-friendly in terms of speed, the courts expect you to follow procedures perfectly. One mistake can reset the clock and cause significant delays.

  • Strict Notice Compliance: When serving a 3-day notice for non-payment, ensure the notice is perfect. It must state the exact amount owed, who it is owed to, and where to pay it. If the math is wrong or the notice is ambiguous, the judge may dismiss your eviction case.
  • No Self-Help Evictions: You cannot physically remove a tenant or change the locks, even if they haven't paid. You must go through the court system. Doing otherwise can result in the tenant suing you for damages (treble damages).
  • Habitability Defense: If the tenant claims the unit is uninhabitable (e.g., no heat, major plumbing issues) and they have notified you, you must address it promptly. Ignoring repair requests can give the tenant a defense in eviction court or allow them to "repair and deduct."

7. Special Warning for Tenants

Theme: Documentation is Defense.

In a landlord-friendly state, the lease agreement is your primary shield. Verbal agreements are difficult to enforce.

  • The Lease is King: Read your lease thoroughly. If you sign a lease waiving certain rights (within legal bounds), you are bound by it.
  • Rent is Due on Time: Missouri law does not provide a "grace period" for rent payments unless stated in your lease or by local ordinance. If rent is due on the 1st and not paid, a 3-day notice can be served almost immediately.
  • Document Everything: If you pay rent in cash, get a receipt. If you report a repair, do it in writing (email or text) and keep a copy. If you have to break a lease early, know that you remain liable for the rent until the landlord finds a new tenant (they must make a reasonable effort to re-rent).
  • Abandonment: If you move out without notice, the landlord can charge you for the remaining rent and costs of re-renting. This debt can be sent to collections and affect your credit score.

Not legal advice. Consult an attorney.