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Missouri

Missouri Landlord-Tenant Laws

Security deposit limits, eviction notices, rent control, and more for Missouri.

How we research these summaries

Every rule on this page is drawn from state statutes and municipal codes and summarized with AI assistance. Each one cites the statute it's based on and links to a published text of that law so you can read it firsthand. Where a page says a city or county has no local rule on a topic, that means none was found for the topics covered here — not that none exists. Local governments also regulate rental housing in ways these pages don't track, including registration, licensing, inspections and habitability standards. These summaries may be incomplete or out of date, laws change often, and every property and tenancy has specifics a summary can't capture — so treat this as a starting point for your own research, not as legal advice, and check with the local jurisdiction and a qualified attorney before acting on your particular situation.

What to Know in Missouri

Sources last checked July 2026

Missouri sets no minimum advance notice for a nonpayment eviction — a landlord may demand rent and immediately file a rent-and-possession action under RSMo § 535.010. Other lease violations still require a 10-day notice under § 441.040, and ending a month-to-month tenancy without fault requires one month's notice under § 441.060. Missouri's preemption statute, § 441.043, bars local rent control and also blocks cities from limiting income verification, credit screening, or background checks.

  • Missouri does not require a specific advance notice period before filing for eviction based on nonpayment of rent; under RSMo § 535.010, a landlord may demand payment and...
  • 30-day move-out notice required for month-to-month tenancies
  • No rent control — no statutory cap on rent increases
  • Missouri statutes do not specify a mandatory advance notice period for rent increases on standard residential month-to-month tenancies.
  • Security deposits capped at 2 months' rent
5 rules summarized · Each linked to the law it cites

Security Deposit Limits

Security Deposit Limits

What is the security deposit limit in Missouri?

Under RSMo § 535.300, a landlord may not demand or receive a security deposit in excess of two months' rent. All security deposits must be held in a federally insured bank, credit union, or depository institution. Within 30 days after the tenancy terminates, the landlord must either return the full deposit or provide the tenant with a written itemized list of damages for which any portion is withheld, along with the remaining balance. Allowable deductions are limited to: unpaid rent, costs to restore the unit to its condition at move-in (excluding ordinary wear and tear), and other defaults under the rental agreement. If a landlord wrongfully withholds any portion of the deposit, the tenant may recover twice the wrongfully withheld amount as damages.

RSMo § 535.300

Eviction Notice Requirements

Eviction Notice Requirements

What are the eviction notice requirements in Missouri?

Missouri does not require a specific advance notice period before filing for eviction based on nonpayment of rent; under RSMo § 535.010, a landlord may demand payment and immediately file a rent-and-possession action in circuit court if rent is unpaid. For lease violations (such as unauthorized subletting, prohibited conduct, or other noncompliance), RSMo § 441.040 requires a 10-day written notice to vacate before the landlord may seek re-entry or file for eviction. For no-fault terminations of month-to-month tenancies, one month's written notice is required under RSMo § 441.060. Missouri does not require just cause for non-renewal of a lease or eviction at the end of a fixed term. Note: RSMo § 535.012, effective August 28, 2024, prohibits local governments from imposing or enforcing eviction moratoriums unless specifically authorized by state law.

RSMo §§ 535.010, 441.040, 441.060, 535.012

Rent Increase Notice Periods

Rent Increase Notice Periods

How much notice is required for rent increases in Missouri?

Missouri statutes do not specify a mandatory advance notice period for rent increases on standard residential month-to-month tenancies. However, a rent increase functions as a modification of the rental agreement and, in practice, requires notice consistent with the tenancy termination period: one month's written notice under RSMo § 441.060. A tenant who receives insufficient notice for a rent increase may treat it as a modification requiring proper termination notice. For mobile home park tenancies, RSMo § 441.060 explicitly requires the landlord to provide at least 60 days' written notice before a rent increase takes effect. Rent cannot be raised mid-term on a fixed-term lease. Retaliatory rent increases in response to a tenant exercising legal rights are prohibited.

RSMo §§ 441.060, 441.770

Rent Control / Rent Increase Caps

Rent Control / Rent Increase Caps

Is there rent control in Missouri?

Missouri has no statewide rent control or rent stabilization program. RSMo § 441.043, as amended by HB 595 and HB 343 (effective August 28, 2025), explicitly prohibits any county or city — including charter cities — from enacting, maintaining, or enforcing any ordinance or resolution that regulates the amount of rent charged for privately-owned single-family or multi-unit residential or commercial rental property. The preemption also bars local ordinances that limit landlords' use of income verification, credit screening, or background checks, or that cap security deposits beyond state law. Landlords may raise rent by any amount at lease renewal or with proper notice on month-to-month tenancies.

RSMo § 441.043

Move-Out & Lease Termination Notice

Move-Out & Lease Termination Notice

What is the move-out notice requirement in Missouri?

Under RSMo § 441.060, either a landlord or tenant may terminate a month-to-month tenancy by giving the other party at least one month's written notice, stating that the tenancy shall terminate upon a periodic rent-paying date not less than one month after receipt of the notice. Week-to-week tenancies may be terminated with at least one week's written notice. For mobile home lot tenancies, the landlord must provide at least 60 days' written notice of termination. Fixed-term leases expire at the end of the lease term without requiring additional notice unless the lease agreement provides otherwise. Tenants should check their lease for any contractual notice requirements that may exceed the statutory minimums.

RSMo § 441.060

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