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Crestwood is a suburban city in St. Louis County, Missouri, with a mix of single-family homes and rental units serving families and working professionals. Like all Missouri cities, Crestwood's rental market is governed entirely by state law — there are no local rent control ordinances, no local just-cause eviction requirements, and no city-specific tenant protections beyond what Missouri statutes provide.
Missouri's landlord-tenant framework is found primarily in Chapters 441, 534, and 535 of the Missouri Revised Statutes. While the state does recognize an implied warranty of habitability and protects tenants from landlord retaliation, Missouri's overall framework is considered less tenant-protective than many other states. Crestwood renters most frequently search for information on security deposit returns, notice requirements before eviction, and what to do when a landlord fails to make repairs.
This page summarizes your rights as a renter in Crestwood based on Missouri law as of April 2026. It is informational only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have a specific legal problem, contact a qualified attorney or legal aid organization.
Crestwood has no rent control, and Missouri law prohibits any city or county from enacting one. Missouri Revised Statute § 441.043 expressly preempts local governments from passing ordinances that control, limit, or restrict the amount of rent a landlord may charge. This means the Crestwood city government — and St. Louis County — are legally barred from adopting any form of rent stabilization or rent increase caps, regardless of local housing conditions.
In practice, this means your landlord can raise your rent by any amount at any time, as long as proper advance notice is given (at least 30 days for month-to-month tenants under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.060, or whatever your lease specifies for fixed-term agreements). There is no cap on rent increases, no requirement that a landlord justify a rent hike, and no local agency where you can appeal an increase. If your rent is raised to an amount you cannot afford, your primary recourse is to negotiate with your landlord or choose not to renew your lease.
Missouri state law provides several baseline protections for Crestwood renters. Below are the key provisions:
Implied Warranty of Habitability: Missouri courts recognize that every residential lease carries an implied warranty that the unit is fit for human habitation. Landlords must maintain essential services including heat, running water, structural integrity, and safe electrical systems. If a landlord breaches this warranty, tenants may have remedies including rent reduction or, in severe cases, lease termination. While Missouri does not have a detailed repair-and-deduct statute like some states, tenants who face serious habitability failures should document conditions and contact local code enforcement.
Security Deposit Rules (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300): Security deposits are capped at two months' rent. Landlords must return the deposit — along with an itemized written statement of any deductions — within 30 days of the tenant vacating the unit. If the landlord wrongfully withholds any portion of the deposit without a proper itemization, the tenant may sue for twice the wrongfully withheld amount plus reasonable attorney's fees.
Notice to Terminate (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.060): For month-to-month tenancies, either the landlord or tenant must give at least 30 days' written notice before terminating the tenancy. The notice must be given before the rental period ends. Fixed-term leases expire at the end of their term without additional notice unless the lease requires it.
Anti-Retaliation Protection (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.053): A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for reporting housing code violations to a government agency, filing a complaint, or exercising any legal right under the lease or state law. Retaliatory actions include rent increases, reduction of services, or attempted eviction within 180 days of protected tenant activity. If a landlord takes such action, retaliation is a defense the tenant may raise in court.
Prohibition on Self-Help Eviction (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 534.030): Landlords are prohibited from removing a tenant through self-help methods — such as changing locks, removing doors or windows, or shutting off utilities — without a court order. Any landlord who engages in self-help eviction may face civil liability. A tenant subjected to an illegal lockout may seek emergency relief in court.
Missouri Revised Statute § 535.300 governs security deposits for all Crestwood rentals. Key rules include:
Cap on Deposit Amount: A landlord may not collect a security deposit exceeding two months' rent. For example, if monthly rent is $1,200, the maximum deposit is $2,400. This cap applies regardless of what the lease says — any provision requiring a larger deposit is unenforceable.
Return Deadline: After a tenant vacates, the landlord has exactly 30 days to return the security deposit. Along with any refund, the landlord must provide a written, itemized statement explaining any deductions made for damages beyond normal wear and tear or for unpaid rent.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord fails to return the deposit within 30 days, fails to provide an itemized statement, or makes deductions that are not legally justified, the tenant is entitled to recover twice the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees, in a civil lawsuit (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300(5)). Tenants should document the condition of the unit at move-in and move-out with photos and written records to support any claim.
Normal Wear and Tear: Missouri law does not allow landlords to deduct for ordinary wear and tear — gradual deterioration from normal use of the unit. Only damage caused by the tenant beyond what is reasonably expected may be deducted.
Crestwood landlords must follow Missouri's statutory eviction process and cannot remove a tenant without a court order. Here is how the process works:
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must deliver written notice to the tenant. The required notice period depends on the reason for eviction: (a) Nonpayment of rent — typically a demand for rent or a notice to vacate, though Missouri does not specify a mandatory pre-suit cure period for nonpayment in the same way some states do; landlords frequently use a written demand before filing. (b) Month-to-month tenancy termination — at least 30 days' written notice (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.060). (c) Lease violation — the landlord should provide written notice of the breach; lease terms typically govern the cure period.
Step 2 — Court Filing (Unlawful Detainer): If the tenant does not vacate after proper notice, the landlord must file an unlawful detainer action in the St. Louis County Circuit Court or the appropriate associate circuit court. The tenant will be served with a summons and a hearing date will be set (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 534.030).
Step 3 — Hearing: Both parties may appear and present their case. Tenants have the right to raise defenses, including retaliation (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.053), improper notice, or that the landlord has breached the implied warranty of habitability. If the court rules in the landlord's favor, a judgment for possession is entered.
Step 4 — Writ of Execution: After a judgment, the landlord may request a writ of execution (writ of possession) from the court. Only a law enforcement officer — not the landlord — may physically remove a tenant pursuant to the writ.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: A Crestwood landlord may not change locks, remove doors or windows, confiscate personal property, or shut off utilities to force a tenant out (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 534.030). These actions are illegal regardless of whether the tenant owes rent. Tenants subjected to self-help eviction may seek emergency injunctive relief and may have a civil damages claim against the landlord.
No Just Cause Requirement: Missouri does not require landlords to have a specific reason to decline to renew a lease or to terminate a month-to-month tenancy. As long as proper notice is given, a landlord may end a tenancy at will — subject to the anti-retaliation protections described above.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws and local ordinances can change, and the application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. RentCheckMe makes no warranties about the completeness or accuracy of this information. If you have a landlord-tenant dispute or legal question, you should consult a licensed Missouri attorney or contact a legal aid organization in your area. Do not rely solely on this page to make legal decisions.
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