Missouri Landlord-Tenant Laws: Complete Guide for Property Managers

Governed primarily by the Missouri Revised Statutes (with recent legislative updates in 2024 and 2025), Missouri is generally considered a landlord-friendly state, featuring straightforward eviction processes, no rent control, and a relatively high security deposit limit. Recent legislation (SB 895, 2024) prohibits local governments from enacting eviction moratoriums, while HB 595 (2025) restricts local regulations on tenant screening and source of income.

Official Law Citation: Chapter 441 of the Missouri Revised Statutes sets out the state's main landlord and tenant laws. (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.005 et seq.)

Key Missouri Rental Laws at a Glance

Security Deposits

Missouri law sets clear parameters for residential security deposits:

• Maximum Amount: Landlords can charge up to two months' rent as a security deposit.
• Return Deadline: The deposit (or remaining balance) must be returned within 30 days of the lease ending.
• Itemized Deductions: If any portion of the deposit is withheld, the landlord must provide an itemized list of deductions.
• Pet Deposits: Landlords can charge additional pet deposits. Under Missouri law, these are explicitly not included in the two-month security deposit limit (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300.8).
• Non-Refundable Fees: Permitted if explicitly stated in the lease, but they cannot be called a "deposit."

For more detail, see our Security DepositsPreview unavailable deep dive.

Eviction Rules and Processes

Missouri's eviction process is notably swift, particularly for nonpayment of rent.

Nonpayment of Rent

• Landlords can issue a demand for payment the day after rent is late.
• There is no mandated grace period or waiting period (like a 3-day or 5-day notice) required by state law before a "Rent and Possession" lawsuit can be filed, though providing a 3-5 day notice is common practice.

Lease Violations

• For lease violations, landlords may provide a 10-day notice to vacate (quit). Missouri law does not require the landlord to provide an opportunity to 'cure' the violation unless the lease agreement specifically grants that right (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.040).

Illegal Activity

• For severe violations, such as illegal drug activity or causing significant damage, landlords can issue a 10-day notice to vacate (quit), and in extreme cases, file for immediate eviction.

Ending a Tenancy

• To end a month-to-month tenancy without cause, a landlord must provide 1 month's written notice (which typically effectively means 30 days).

For more detail, see our Eviction ProcessPreview unavailable guide.

Rent Increases Missouri operates under a free-market approach to rent:

• No Rent Control: Statewide rent control has been prohibited since 1989 (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.043). Furthermore, HB 595 (2025) prohibits local governments from enacting ordinances that dictate how landlords screen tenants or mandate the acceptance of specific sources of income.
• Notice Requirements: Landlords must provide at least 30 days' notice (one rental period) to increase rent on a month-to-month tenancy. For fixed-term leases, rent cannot be increased during the term unless the lease explicitly allows it.

For more detail, see our Rent IncreasesPreview unavailable guide.

Required Disclosures

Missouri has fewer mandatory disclosures compared to other states, but landlords must still provide:

1. Lead-Based Paint: For properties built before 1978 (federal requirement).
2. Methamphetamine Production: Landlords must disclose if they have knowledge that the property was previously used for methamphetamine production.

While not strictly required by state statute, best practices dictate disclosing any known material defects, shared utility arrangements, or planned foreclosures.

For more detail, see our Required DisclosuresPreview unavailable guide.

Maintenance and Habitability

Under the "implied warranty of habitability," Missouri landlords must provide a safe, livable environment:

• Must maintain structural integrity, plumbing, electrical, and heating systems.
• Must comply with local housing and health codes.
• Repair and Deduct: If a landlord fails to repair a condition affecting habitability within 14 days of written notice (and the condition violates a local code), the tenant may repair and deduct the cost from rent. The repair cost must be less than $300 or one-half of the periodic rent (whichever is greater), up to one month's rent max.

For more detail, see our Maintenance ObligationsPreview unavailable guide.

Late Fees Missouri does not have a statutory limit on late rent fees.

• Fees must be explicitly outlined in the written lease agreement.
• The courts generally require late fees to be "reasonable" and not punitive. A common benchmark is 5% to 10% of the monthly rent.
• There is no state-mandated grace period, though leases often include a 3-5 day window.

For more detail, see our Late FeesPreview unavailable guide.

Recent Changes (2024-2025)

The Missouri legislature recently enacted significant laws favoring property owners:

• SB 895 (Effective August 2024): Prohibits local governments from imposing or enforcing moratoriums on eviction proceedings (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 67.137). It also requires that transfers of title for rental properties with outstanding collectible judgments be filed with the circuit court within 30 days (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 534.157).
• HB 595 (2025): Prohibits local governments from enacting ordinances that: (1) prohibit landlords from refusing tenants based on source of income (e.g., Section 8 vouchers); (2) restrict a landlord's ability to use credit scores, criminal history, or eviction history in screening; or (3) limit security deposit amounts beyond the state cap.

Getting Started with Compliance

Managing properties in Missouri demands staying vigilant about proper notice procedures, especially given the state's swift eviction timelines. Check your local county or city ordinances, as municipalities like St. Louis or Kansas City may have specific property maintenance codes despite the state ban on local rent control.

Explore more Missouri compliance topics:

• Security DepositsPreview unavailable
• Eviction ProcessPreview unavailable
• Required DisclosuresPreview unavailable
• Rent IncreasesPreview unavailable
• Lease RequirementsPreview unavailable
• Maintenance ObligationsPreview unavailable
• Late FeesPreview unavailable

How Landager Helps

Landager tracks lease terms, compliance rules, and late fee schedules - making it easy to stay compliant with Missouri regulations.