Missouri Landlord-Tenant Laws: Key Rental Rules (2026)
Security deposits, notice periods, landlord entry, and other key rental rules in Missouri, each linked to the state law it comes from.
By the ListMyHomes.com™ Editorial TeamPublished Last reviewed
This page summarizes the main landlord-tenant rules in Missouri. Each rule in the table below links to the law it comes from.
Key rules at a glance
| Rule | Missouri |
|---|---|
| Where these laws apply | The definitions in § 441.005 apply, except as otherwise provided, throughout RSMo Chapters 441, 534 and 535. A lease is a written or oral agreement for the use or possession of premises; a landlord is the owner or lessor, or a person the owner authorizes to manage the premises; a tenant is a person who occupies the premises with the landlord's consent. Premises include land, condominium and cooperative units, and structures, manufactured homes, mobile trailer homes and vehicles used mainly as a dwelling or for commercial, industrial or storage use. RSMo § 441.005 |
| Security deposit limit | No more than 2 months' rent. Money or property called a deposit for a pet is not a security deposit under this rule. Counties and cities may not enact, maintain or enforce an ordinance or resolution limiting the security deposit a landlord may require. RSMo § 535.300(1), (8); § 441.043(2)(3) |
| Where deposits are held | Deposits must be held by the landlord for the tenant in a bank, credit union or depository institution insured by an agency of the federal government. Housing authorities and other government entities acting as landlords are exempt from this rule. RSMo § 535.300(2) |
| Returning the deposit | Within 30 days after the tenancy ends, the landlord must return the full deposit, or give the tenant a written itemized list of the damages for which any part is withheld, along with the balance. Mailing the list and any payment to the tenant's last known address meets this requirement. A tenant whose deposit is wrongfully withheld recovers twice the amount wrongfully withheld. RSMo § 535.300(3), (6) |
| Deposit deductions | A landlord may withhold only amounts reasonably necessary to cover unpaid rent, to restore the unit to its condition at the start of the tenancy (ordinary wear and tear excepted), and to compensate for actual damages from the tenant's failure to give proper notice to end the tenancy, if the landlord makes reasonable efforts to reduce those damages. Carpet-cleaning amounts agreed in the lease and actually spent may be withheld if the lease also tells the tenant that actual carpet-cleaning costs beyond ordinary wear and tear may be charged; the landlord must give a receipt for the actual costs within 30 days after the tenancy ends. The landlord must give reasonable written notice of the date and time of the inspection after the rental agreement ends, and the tenant has the right to be present. The tenant may not use the deposit in place of rent, and the landlord may still recover actual damages above the deposit. RSMo § 535.300(4), (5), (7) |
| Interest on deposits | Not required by RSMo Chapters 441, 534 and 535. Any interest earned on a deposit belongs to the landlord. RSMo § 535.300(2) |
| Landlord entry notice | |
| Notice to end a month-to-month lease | Either the landlord or the tenant may end a month-to-month tenancy by written notice stating that it ends on a rent-paying date at least one month after the notice is received. Except as otherwise provided by law, an agreement to rent a house or other building that is not in writing and signed by the parties or their agents (other than an agricultural rental) is treated as a tenancy from month to month, which either party may end with one month's written notice. When a tenant owns and lives in a mobile home on a rented lot, the landlord may end a tenancy of less than one year by written notice ending it no sooner than 60 days from the next rent due date, despite any lease term allowing earlier termination. A tenancy from year to year ends with written notice at least 60 days before the end of the year. RSMo § 441.060(3), (4); § 441.050 |
| Rent-increase notice | |
| Late fees | No limit and no grace period in RSMo Chapters 441, 534 and 535. RSMo Ch. 441, 534 and 535 (no provision) |
| Notice for unpaid rent | Before filing a case for rent and possession, the landlord must have demanded the rent and it must remain unpaid; the one-month notice under § 441.060 is not required. A demand is valid if made any time after the rent becomes due. If a written lease says it is forfeited only after rent is unpaid for a specified time, no process may issue until that time has passed. If the tenant pays all rent in arrears and all costs on the date of a money judgment, the case stops. RSMo §§ 535.020, 535.050, 535.060, 535.160 |
| Rent control | Not allowed. Counties and cities may not enact, maintain or enforce an ordinance or resolution regulating the amount of rent for privately owned residential or commercial rental property. They may still regulate property they own, make voluntary agreements regulating rent for subsidized rental properties, and restrict rent for properties assisted with community development block grant funds. RSMo § 441.043(1), (3) |
| Required landlord disclosures | In writing, at or before the start of the tenancy: the name and address of the person authorized to manage the premises, and of an owner or a person authorized to receive service of process, notices and demands for the owner; this information must be kept current. A landlord who knows the premises were used to produce methamphetamine must disclose that in writing to a prospective tenant. RSMo § 535.185(1), (2); § 441.236 Federal law: For housing built before 1978 (with limited exceptions): before the tenant is bound by the lease, the landlord must give the EPA lead-hazard pamphlet and disclose any known lead-based paint or hazards and any available reports. 42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 40 CFR 745.107 |
| Fair housing protected classes | Race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability and familial status. Ancestry is the one class in Missouri's law that is not in the federal list. RSMo § 213.040(1); 42 U.S.C. § 3604 |
What this means for renters
Before you sign, compare the lease's deposit amount, rent due date, and late-fee terms with the rules above. At move-in, record the unit's condition with dated photos. When you move out, give the written notice your lease and the rules above call for, leave a forwarding address, and keep copies of everything you send and receive.
What this means for landlords who manage their own rental
List the unit with its rent, deposit, and lease terms. Screen every applicant by the same written criteria, within fair-housing law. Collect the deposit and give notices following the rules above, and keep records of the unit's condition at move-in and move-out.
List your rental on ListMyHomes.com for one flat fee, or browse rentals in Missouri listed directly by owners.
Frequently asked questions
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Missouri?
No more than 2 months' rent. Money or property called a deposit for a pet is not a security deposit under this rule. Counties and cities may not enact, maintain or enforce an ordinance or resolution limiting the security deposit a landlord may require. See the source in the table above.
How long does a Missouri landlord have to return a security deposit?
Within 30 days after the tenancy ends, the landlord must return the full deposit, or give the tenant a written itemized list of the damages for which any part is withheld, along with the balance. Mailing the list and any payment to the tenant's last known address meets this requirement. A tenant whose deposit is wrongfully withheld recovers twice the amount wrongfully withheld. See the source in the table above.
How much notice must a Missouri landlord give before entering?
No notice period in RSMo Chapters 441, 534 and 535. See the source in the table above.
How much notice ends a month-to-month lease in Missouri?
Either the landlord or the tenant may end a month-to-month tenancy by written notice stating that it ends on a rent-paying date at least one month after the notice is received. Except as otherwise provided by law, an agreement to rent a house or other building that is not in writing and signed by the parties or their agents (other than an agricultural rental) is treated as a tenancy from month to month, which either party may end with one month's written notice. When a tenant owns and lives in a mobile home on a rented lot, the landlord may end a tenancy of less than one year by written notice ending it no sooner than 60 days from the next rent due date, despite any lease term allowing earlier termination. A tenancy from year to year ends with written notice at least 60 days before the end of the year. See the source in the table above.
How much notice is required for a rent increase in Missouri?
No notice period in RSMo Chapters 441, 534 and 535. See the source in the table above.
How much can a Missouri landlord charge for late rent?
No limit and no grace period in RSMo Chapters 441, 534 and 535. See the source in the table above.
How much notice must a Missouri landlord give when rent is unpaid?
Before filing a case for rent and possession, the landlord must have demanded the rent and it must remain unpaid; the one-month notice under § 441.060 is not required. A demand is valid if made any time after the rent becomes due. If a written lease says it is forfeited only after rent is unpaid for a specified time, no process may issue until that time has passed. If the tenant pays all rent in arrears and all costs on the date of a money judgment, the case stops. See the source in the table above.
Does Missouri have rent control?
Not allowed. Counties and cities may not enact, maintain or enforce an ordinance or resolution regulating the amount of rent for privately owned residential or commercial rental property. They may still regulate property they own, make voluntary agreements regulating rent for subsidized rental properties, and restrict rent for properties assisted with community development block grant funds. See the source in the table above.
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