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Union is the county seat of Franklin County, Missouri, a growing community located about 50 miles west of St. Louis along I-44. As the region has expanded, more residents are renting homes and apartments in Union and throughout Franklin County. Renters here are governed entirely by Missouri state landlord-tenant law — there are no local rent control ordinances or tenant protection codes that add to or modify the state baseline.
Missouri's landlord-tenant framework is less tenant-protective than many other states, but it does provide important rights around security deposits, habitability, notice before eviction, and protection from retaliation. Understanding these protections can make a significant difference if a dispute arises with your landlord. The most common questions Union renters have involve rent increases, security deposit returns, eviction procedures, and what to do when a landlord refuses to make repairs.
This page is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws can change and individual situations vary — if you are facing eviction or a serious housing dispute, consult a qualified attorney or contact one of the legal aid resources listed at the bottom of this page.
Union has no rent control, and no city or county in Missouri can enact it. Missouri state law explicitly prohibits local governments — including cities, counties, and municipalities — from adopting any ordinance or regulation that controls the amount of rent charged for private residential housing. This prohibition is codified at Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.043, which states that no local authority may enact rent control measures of any kind.
In practical terms, this means your landlord in Union can raise your rent by any amount, at any time, as long as they provide the legally required advance notice before the increase takes effect. For month-to-month tenancies, that notice period is at least 30 days under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.060. For fixed-term leases, rent is set by the lease agreement and cannot be increased until the lease term ends or renews. There is no cap, no formula, and no approval process that limits how much a landlord may charge.
If you receive a rent increase notice, review your lease carefully to confirm when it is effective and whether proper notice was given. If the notice period was not honored, you may have grounds to dispute the timing of the increase.
Missouri's landlord-tenant statutes provide several important baseline protections for all renters in Union and throughout the state.
Implied Warranty of Habitability: Missouri courts recognize an implied warranty of habitability, meaning landlords must maintain rental units in a livable condition. This includes providing functioning heat, plumbing, and structural safety. If a landlord fails to address serious habitability deficiencies, tenants may be entitled to a reduction in rent or, in severe cases, the right to terminate the lease. While Missouri does not have a strong statutory repair-and-deduct remedy, courts have recognized habitability claims in rent withholding and lease termination cases.
Security Deposit Rules (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300): Landlords may collect a security deposit of no more than two months' rent. After you move out, the landlord must return your deposit — along with an itemized written statement of any deductions — within 30 days. If the landlord wrongfully withholds any portion of the deposit, you are entitled to recover twice the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees.
Notice Requirements (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.060): For month-to-month tenancies, either the landlord or the tenant must give at least 30 days' written notice before terminating the tenancy. Week-to-week tenancies require at least 7 days' notice. These notice periods must be honored before the landlord can begin the eviction process.
Anti-Retaliation Protection (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.053): Your landlord is legally prohibited from retaliating against you for reporting code violations to a government agency, complaining about habitability conditions, or exercising any right granted under Missouri law. Retaliatory acts — such as raising rent, reducing services, or filing an eviction — within a close time frame of protected activity may be challenged under this statute.
Prohibition on Self-Help Eviction (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 534.030): A landlord in Missouri may not remove a tenant by force, change the locks, remove doors or windows, or shut off utilities in order to force a tenant out. Any removal of a tenant must go through the formal court eviction process. Self-help eviction is illegal and may expose the landlord to civil liability.
Missouri's security deposit law is found at Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300 and applies to all residential rentals in Union and Franklin County.
Maximum Amount: A landlord may not require a security deposit greater than two months' rent. For example, if your monthly rent is $900, the maximum security deposit is $1,800. Any amount collected above this cap may be recoverable.
Return Deadline: After you vacate the unit, your landlord has 30 days to return your security deposit. Along with any refund, the landlord must provide an itemized written statement listing all deductions and the reasons for them. Normal wear and tear may not be deducted — only damages beyond ordinary use.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If your landlord fails to return the deposit within 30 days, fails to provide an itemized statement, or wrongfully withholds any portion, Missouri law entitles you to recover twice the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs. This double-damages remedy is meant to deter landlords from improperly keeping deposits.
Practical Tips: Document the condition of the unit with photos and a written checklist at both move-in and move-out, return all keys, provide your forwarding address in writing, and keep copies of all communications with your landlord regarding the deposit.
Missouri law requires landlords to follow a formal legal process before removing any tenant. Evictions in Union are handled by the Franklin County Circuit Court. Self-help eviction — including changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities to force a tenant out — is prohibited under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 534.030.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, a landlord must give the tenant written notice. The type and length of notice depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing for Unlawful Detainer: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an unlawful detainer (eviction) action in Franklin County Circuit Court under Mo. Rev. Stat. Chapter 534. The tenant will be served with a summons and given a hearing date.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both the landlord and tenant may present evidence at the hearing. Tenants have the right to appear and raise defenses — such as the landlord's failure to maintain habitability, improper notice, or retaliation. If the court rules for the landlord, a judgment for possession is entered.
Step 4 — Writ of Execution: After a judgment is entered, the landlord must obtain a writ of execution, which is carried out by the Franklin County Sheriff. Only a sheriff may physically remove a tenant — the landlord has no authority to remove a tenant personally.
No Just Cause Required: Missouri does not have a statewide just cause eviction law. Landlords may choose not to renew a month-to-month tenancy for any lawful reason, as long as proper notice is given. However, eviction based on discrimination (race, sex, religion, national origin, disability, familial status) is prohibited under the federal Fair Housing Act.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws are subject to change, and the application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and nothing on this site creates an attorney-client relationship. If you are facing eviction, a security deposit dispute, or any other serious housing issue, you should consult a licensed Missouri attorney or contact a legal aid organization in your area. Always verify current statutes and local ordinances independently or with the help of qualified legal counsel.
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