How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Missouri?

Security deposit may not exceed two months' rent. (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300) The deposit must be accounted for within 30 days after the tenancy ends (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300).

Is there a limit on late fees in Missouri?

Missouri sets no statutory late-fee cap; the fee must be stated in the lease.

How much notice must a landlord give before entering a rental in Missouri?

Missouri has no statutory entry-notice requirement, so Landy's lease sets one by agreement. That agreed period is 24 hours.

How do you end a month-to-month tenancy in Missouri?

Either party must give at least one month's written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy. (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.060)

What happens if a tenant does not pay rent in Missouri?

Missouri does not require a statutory pay-or-quit notice period; the landlord makes a demand for rent and may then file. This Lease provides notice by agreement. An eviction is filed as a rent and possession action in Circuit Court, Associate Division. A landlord may never remove a tenant without a court order.

Does a residential lease have to be in writing in Missouri?

A written lease is not always legally required, but it is what makes the terms enforceable and provable. A written lease is the practical way to document rent, deposits, and each party's obligations. Landy builds a lease specific to Missouri with the statutory citations printed in it.

Missouri Residential Lease Agreement

A lease that works in the State of Missouri has to respect Missouri landlord-tenant law: a security deposit capped at two months' rent, accounted for within 30 days of move-out, and no statutory ceiling on late fees. Below is every number that governs a Missouri tenancy, with the statute it comes from.

Read the whole lease before you pay. $14.99 to download, or three for $29.

Missouri rental law at a glance

Each row is the rule Landy applies when it builds a Missouri lease. The citation is printed in the finished document too, so a tenant can check it.

Missouri landlord-tenant rules with statutory citations
Rule	Missouri	Citation
Security deposit limit	two months' rentSecurity deposit may not exceed two months' rent.	Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300
Deposit return deadline	30 daysLandlord must return the deposit or an itemized list of damages within 30 days after the tenancy ends.	Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300
Interest on deposits	Not requiredMissouri does not require interest on security deposits.	Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300
Late fee limit	No statutory limitMissouri sets no statutory late-fee cap; the fee must be stated in the lease.	No statute on point
Grace period before rent is late	No statutory grace periodMissouri sets no statutory grace period for rent.	No statute on point
Notice to pay or quit	No fixed statutory periodMissouri does not require a statutory pay-or-quit notice period; the landlord makes a demand for rent and may then file. This Lease provides notice by agreement.	Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.010
Time to cure a lease violation	10 daysTenant generally receives 10 days' notice for a lease violation.	Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.040
Ending a month-to-month tenancy	30 days' noticeEither party must give at least one month's written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy.	Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.060
Notice before landlord entry	No statute — Landy's lease sets 24 hours by agreementMissouri has no statutory entry-notice requirement, so Landy's lease sets one by agreement.	No statute on point

Disclosures a Missouri lease must carry

Missing a required disclosure is the most common way an otherwise fine lease creates a problem. Landy adds these automatically, plus any that apply only to your specific property.

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
Housing built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. Lead from paint, paint chips, and dust can pose health hazards if not managed properly. Lead exposure is especially harmful to young children and pregnant women. Before renting pre-1978 housing, landlords must disclose the presence of known lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards in the dwelling, provide any available records and reports to the tenant, and give the tenant the EPA-approved pamphlet "Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home." Tenant acknowledges receipt of this information by signing below.
42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 24 C.F.R. Part 35; 40 C.F.R. Part 745 · applies to housing built before 1978
Methamphetamine Production Disclosure
Landlord discloses any knowledge that the dwelling was previously used for the production of methamphetamine.
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.236

If things go wrong in Missouri

Where eviction is filed

Circuit Court, Associate Division, as a rent and possession action.

Governing law

Cited from the Missouri Revised Statutes.

Never self-help

Changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities to force a tenant out is unlawful. A court order is the only route.

Missouri lease questions, answered

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Missouri?: Security deposit may not exceed two months' rent. (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300) The deposit must be accounted for within 30 days after the tenancy ends (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300).
Is there a limit on late fees in Missouri?: Missouri sets no statutory late-fee cap; the fee must be stated in the lease.
How much notice must a landlord give before entering a rental in Missouri?: Missouri has no statutory entry-notice requirement, so Landy's lease sets one by agreement. That agreed period is 24 hours.
How do you end a month-to-month tenancy in Missouri?: Either party must give at least one month's written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy. (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.060)
What happens if a tenant does not pay rent in Missouri?: Missouri does not require a statutory pay-or-quit notice period; the landlord makes a demand for rent and may then file. This Lease provides notice by agreement. An eviction is filed as a rent and possession action in Circuit Court, Associate Division. A landlord may never remove a tenant without a court order.
Does a residential lease have to be in writing in Missouri?: A written lease is not always legally required, but it is what makes the terms enforceable and provable. A written lease is the practical way to document rent, deposits, and each party's obligations. Landy builds a lease specific to Missouri with the statutory citations printed in it.

Build a Missouri lease with these rules already in it.

Answer questions in plain English. Landy writes the Missouri lease around your answers, applies every limit above, and shows you the finished document before you decide to pay.

Lease laws in other states

This page summarizes Missouri law for general information and is not legal advice. Landy is a self-help document service, not a law firm. Cities and counties may impose additional requirements, and statutes change. Have a licensed Missouri attorney review your lease before you rely on it.