Landlord Guide to Renting in Missouri

Missouri permits both written and oral rental agreements. However, under the Statute of Frauds (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 432.010), leases for a term exceeding one year must be in writing. Written leases should clearly state the rent amount, due date, lease duration, security deposit terms, and the responsibilities of both parties. The Missouri Residential Landlord-Tenant Act provides default obligations that apply regardless of lease terms.

• Oral leases are valid for terms of one year or less; longer terms must be in writing (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 432.010)
• Month-to-month tenancies are created when no fixed term is specified or after a lease expires without renewal
• Lease provisions that waive the landlord's duty to maintain habitable premises are void (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.012)
• Landlords must provide tenants with a copy of the signed lease agreement

Under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300, the maximum security deposit for residential leases is two months' rent. The landlord must return the deposit within 30 days after the tenant vacates. Missouri does not require that the deposit be held in a separate account or accrue interest, but the landlord must provide an itemized list of any deductions.

• Maximum deposit: two months' rent (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300)
• Deposit must be returned within 30 days after the tenant vacates (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300)
• No statutory requirement to hold the deposit in a separate or interest-bearing account
• An itemized list of damages must be provided if any portion of the deposit is withheld

Missouri landlords must provide certain disclosures to tenants at or before the commencement of the lease. Federal lead paint disclosure rules also apply. Some local jurisdictions impose additional disclosure requirements.

• Lead-based paint disclosure for properties built before 1978 (42 U.S.C. § 4852d)
• Disclosure of the name and address of the person authorized to manage the premises and receive notices (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.460)
• Disclosure of any known flooding or environmental hazards (case law supports this under general fraud principles)
• Methamphetamine contamination disclosure if the property was previously used to manufacture methamphetamine and has not been decontaminated (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.236)

Rent is due on the date specified in the lease. Missouri does not provide a statutory grace period for rent payments. Late fees are permitted if specified in the lease and must be reasonable. Before filing an eviction for nonpayment, the landlord must provide appropriate notice to the tenant depending on local rules and the type of tenancy.

• Rent is due on the date stated in the lease agreement
• No statutory grace period; any grace period must be specified in the lease
• Late fees must be reasonable and clearly stated in the lease
• Landlords must provide proper notice before filing for rent-or-possession proceedings (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.020)

Under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.234, landlords must maintain the premises in a reasonable state of repair and fit for habitation. The landlord must comply with all applicable building and housing codes that materially affect health and safety. The Missouri Residential Landlord-Tenant Act applies to landlords with 10 or more rental units, while smaller landlords are subject to common-law obligations.

• Maintain the property in a habitable condition and comply with all applicable building and housing codes (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.234)
• Provide and maintain essential services: plumbing, heating, electricity, and running water
• Make repairs within a reasonable time after receiving written notice from the tenant
• Keep common areas in a clean and safe condition

Missouri does not have a comprehensive statewide statute dictating landlord entry notice requirements. However, under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.234, landlords covered by the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act must provide at least two days' (48 hours) notice before entering for non-emergency purposes. Entry must be at reasonable times.

• Landlords with 10+ units must provide at least two days' notice for non-emergency entry (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.234)
• Entry must be at reasonable times for legitimate purposes such as repairs, inspections, or showing the unit
• Emergency entry is permitted without advance notice
• Smaller landlords should provide reasonable notice (typically 24–48 hours) as a best practice

Missouri does not have statewide rent control, and state law preempts local governments from enacting rent control ordinances (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.043). Landlords may increase rent between lease terms or during month-to-month tenancies with proper written notice. At least one rental period's notice is standard practice.

• No statewide rent control; local rent control is preempted by state law (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.043)
• Rent cannot be increased during a fixed-term lease unless the lease expressly permits it
• For month-to-month tenancies, at least one rental period's (typically 30 days) written notice is required
• Retaliatory rent increases are prohibited under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.500)

Missouri notice requirements depend on the type of tenancy. The general landlord-tenant statutes and the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act establish the specific requirements.

• Month-to-month tenancy: one month's written notice by either party (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.060)
• Fixed-term lease: terminates at the end of the lease term without additional notice unless the lease provides otherwise
• Nonpayment of rent: landlord must give notice before filing a rent-or-possession suit; notice periods vary by local court rules
• Material lease violation: written notice with a reasonable opportunity to cure before proceeding with eviction

Evictions in Missouri are filed as rent-or-possession actions or unlawful detainer actions under Mo. Rev. Stat. ch. 535. The landlord must serve proper notice, then file the action in the appropriate circuit or associate circuit court.

• Serve the appropriate notice before filing (rent-and-possession or notice to vacate)
• File a rent-or-possession or unlawful detainer action in the circuit or associate circuit court (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.010 et seq.)
• The court schedules a hearing, usually within a few days to two weeks
• If the court rules for the landlord, a writ of restitution is issued and executed by the sheriff

Under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300, landlords must return the security deposit within 30 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant has vacated. An itemized list of any deductions must be provided. If the tenant does not provide a forwarding address, the landlord must mail the deposit and statement to the tenant's last known address.

• Return deadline: 30 days after the tenant vacates (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300)
• Permissible deductions: unpaid rent, damages beyond normal wear and tear
• An itemized statement of deductions must be provided with any withheld amount
• Wrongful withholding may result in the landlord being liable for up to twice the amount wrongfully withheld (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300)