Want to skip straight to checking your own building? Use the RentCheckMe address checker.
Wildwood is a mid-sized suburban city in St. Louis County with a population of approximately 35,000 residents. While many residents are homeowners, a meaningful share of households rent, and those renters are governed entirely by Missouri state landlord-tenant law — the City of Wildwood has not enacted any local tenant protection ordinances beyond what the state provides.
Renters in Wildwood most commonly have questions about security deposit returns, what happens when a landlord wants to raise rent or end a lease, and what rights exist when a unit needs repairs. Missouri law addresses each of these topics, though it is generally considered less tenant-protective than laws in many other states — making it especially important for Wildwood renters to understand exactly what protections apply to them.
This article is intended as general legal information only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change, and every tenancy has unique facts. If you have a specific dispute with your landlord, consult a licensed Missouri attorney or contact a legal aid organization.
Wildwood has no rent control, and Missouri law makes it illegal for any local government in the state to enact one. Missouri Revised Statutes § 441.043 expressly preempts cities, counties, and other political subdivisions from adopting or enforcing any ordinance that would control or stabilize residential rents. Wildwood, as a city within St. Louis County, is fully subject to this preemption.
In practice, this means a landlord in Wildwood may raise rent by any amount at any time, provided the increase takes effect only after proper notice — at least 30 days' written notice before a new rental period begins for month-to-month tenants (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.060). There is no cap on the percentage or dollar amount of a rent increase, and no requirement that a landlord justify or explain the increase to the tenant.
Tenants who receive a rent increase they cannot afford should carefully review their lease for renewal terms and consider negotiating with their landlord directly. If a rent increase is used as retaliation for a tenant reporting code violations or asserting legal rights, however, Missouri's anti-retaliation statute (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.053) may provide a legal remedy — see the retaliation section below.
Missouri state law provides the following baseline protections for renters in Wildwood:
Implied Warranty of Habitability: Missouri courts recognize an implied warranty of habitability, requiring landlords to maintain rental units in a condition fit for human habitation. This includes functioning heat, safe structural conditions, working plumbing, and freedom from significant pest infestations. When a landlord fails to meet this standard, tenants may have remedies including rent reduction or, in serious cases, lease termination. There is no single statutory citation that codifies the warranty; it arises from Missouri case law, including King v. Moorehead, 495 S.W.2d 65 (Mo. App. 1973).
Security Deposit Cap and Return: Under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300, a landlord may not collect a security deposit exceeding two months' rent. The landlord must return the deposit — along with a written itemized statement of any deductions — within 30 days after the tenant vacates. Failure to comply entitles the tenant to recover twice the amount wrongfully withheld plus reasonable attorney's fees.
Notice to Terminate a Month-to-Month Tenancy: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.060 requires that either a landlord or a tenant give at least 30 days' written notice before terminating a month-to-month tenancy. The notice period must correspond to the rental payment period, and the effective date must align with the end of a rental period.
Anti-Retaliation Protection: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.053 prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who report housing code violations to a governmental authority, contact a tenant organization, or otherwise lawfully assert their rights. Prohibited retaliatory acts include raising rent, reducing services, or initiating eviction proceedings within 180 days of a protected activity. A tenant facing retaliation may raise it as a defense in an eviction case or pursue it as an affirmative claim.
Prohibition on Self-Help Eviction: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 534.030 makes clear that a landlord must obtain a court order before removing a tenant from a rental unit. Changing the locks, removing doors or windows, shutting off utilities, or removing the tenant's belongings without a court order — known as self-help eviction — is illegal in Missouri and may expose the landlord to civil liability.
Missouri Revised Statutes § 535.300 sets clear rules for security deposits that apply to every rental in Wildwood:
Cap: A landlord may not require a security deposit greater than two months' rent. Any amount collected above that cap must be refunded to the tenant.
Return Deadline: Within 30 days after the tenant has vacated the unit and returned possession to the landlord, the landlord must either return the full deposit or provide the tenant with a written, itemized statement explaining each deduction, along with any remaining balance. The 30-day clock generally begins when the tenant has moved out and keys have been surrendered.
Allowable Deductions: Landlords may deduct for unpaid rent and for damage beyond normal wear and tear. Routine cleaning and ordinary use of the property cannot be charged to the tenant's deposit.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord fails to return the deposit or provide an itemized statement within 30 days, or wrongfully withholds any portion, the tenant is entitled to recover twice the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees, under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300(5). To preserve this right, tenants should document the condition of the unit at move-in and move-out with dated photographs and written records, and provide the landlord with a forwarding address in writing.
Missouri law establishes a formal eviction process that Wildwood landlords must follow. A landlord cannot remove a tenant without going through the courts.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing for eviction, a landlord must provide written notice. The required notice period depends on the reason for eviction. For non-payment of rent, Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.020 requires a written demand for rent giving the tenant an opportunity to pay before suit is filed. For lease violations other than non-payment, the landlord must provide notice and a reasonable opportunity to cure. To terminate a month-to-month tenancy without cause, at least 30 days' written notice is required under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.060.
Step 2 — Filing in Court: If the tenant does not vacate or resolve the issue after proper notice, the landlord may file an unlawful detainer action (eviction lawsuit) in the Missouri circuit court serving St. Louis County. The tenant will be served with a summons and given a court date.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties appear before a judge. The tenant has the right to present defenses, including payment of rent, improper notice, retaliation (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.053), or the landlord's failure to maintain habitable conditions. Tenants are strongly encouraged to attend — failure to appear typically results in a default judgment for the landlord.
Step 4 — Writ of Execution: If the court rules in favor of the landlord, a writ of execution (also called a writ of possession) is issued. Only a court-authorized officer — typically a sheriff or deputy — may physically remove the tenant and their belongings.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: Under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 534.030, a landlord who changes the locks, removes the tenant's property, shuts off utilities, or otherwise tries to force a tenant out without a court order is committing an illegal self-help eviction. Tenants who experience this should contact local law enforcement and a legal aid organization immediately.
Just Cause: Missouri law does not require a landlord to have just cause to terminate a tenancy or decline to renew a lease, provided proper notice is given. There is no local just-cause ordinance in Wildwood.
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information on this page reflects Missouri law as of April 2026, but laws and local regulations can change at any time. The specific facts of your tenancy — including your lease terms, local ordinances, and the conduct of your landlord — will affect what rights and remedies apply to you. Renters in Wildwood with specific legal questions or disputes should consult a licensed Missouri attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and no attorney-client relationship is created by reading this page.
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
Use the Address Checker →We'll email you if the rent cap, coverage rules, or tenant protections change — no spam, unsubscribe any time.