Missouri Tenant Rights Guide

Last updated: April 2026

Missouri has no rent control anywhere in the state — it's prohibited by state law. Landlords can raise rent by any amount with proper notice. Missouri's landlord-tenant law provides basic protections, though it's less tenant-protective than many states.

Missouri at a Glance

Rent control: None
Statewide rent cap: None — landlords can raise rent by any amount
Preemption: Missouri state law prohibits local governments from enacting rent control ordinances (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.043).

What Protections Missouri Tenants Do Have

Even without rent control, Missouri law gives renters meaningful rights in these areas:

Security Deposit

Security deposits are capped at 2 months' rent. Landlords must return the deposit within 30 days of move-out with an itemized statement. Wrongful withholding entitles you to twice the amount withheld plus attorney's fees (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300).

Notice to Terminate

Month-to-month tenants must receive at least 30 days' written notice before the landlord terminates the tenancy (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.060).

Habitability

Missouri recognizes an implied warranty of habitability. Landlords must maintain essential services like heat, water, and structural safety. The remedy for breach is typically rent reduction or, in serious cases, lease termination.

Retaliation Protection

Missouri's anti-retaliation statute (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.053) prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who report code violations or exercise legal rights.

Eviction Process

Landlords must provide written notice and obtain a court order before removing a tenant. Self-help eviction — changing locks or removing property — is illegal (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 534.030).

Check your address to see what tenant protections apply to your rental.

Major Cities in Missouri

Affton — No rent control. Missouri prohibits local rent control ordinances statewide (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.04
Arnold — No rent control. Missouri prohibits local rent control ordinances statewide (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.04
Ballwin — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Bellefontaine Neighbors — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Belton — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Blue Springs — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Bolivar — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Branson — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Bridgeton — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Cape Girardeau — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Carthage — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Chesterfield — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Clayton — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Columbia — No rent control; Missouri state preemption prohibits it.
Crestwood — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Creve Coeur — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Dardenne Prairie — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Eureka — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Excelsior Springs — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Farmington — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Ferguson — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Festus — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Florissant — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Fulton — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Gladstone — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Grain Valley — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Grandview — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Hannibal — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Hazelwood — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Independence — No — Missouri state law bans rent control (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.043).
Jackson — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Jefferson City — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Jennings — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Joplin — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Kansas City — No rent control; Missouri state preemption prohibits it.
Kearney — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Kennett — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Kirksville — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Kirkwood — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Lake St. Louis — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Lebanon — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Lee's Summit — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Liberty — No — Missouri state law prohibits local rent control ordinances (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.043), and Libe
Manchester — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Marshall — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Maryland Heights — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Maryville — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Mehlville — No — Missouri state law prohibits local rent control ordinances (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.043), and Mehl
Mexico — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Moberly — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Monett — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Neosho — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Nixa — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
O'Fallon — No — Missouri prohibits rent control statewide; landlords may raise rent by any amount with proper n
Overland — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Ozark — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Poplar Bluff — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Raymore — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Raytown — No — Missouri state law prohibits local rent control ordinances (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.043), and Rayt
Republic — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Rolla — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Sedalia — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Sikeston — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Smithville — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Springfield — No rent control; Missouri state preemption prohibits it.
St. Ann — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
St. Charles — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
St. Joseph — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
St. Louis — No rent control; Missouri state preemption prohibits it.
St. Peters — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Town and Country — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Troy — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Union — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
University City — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Warrensburg — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Washington — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Webb City — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Webster Groves — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Wentzville — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
West Plains — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.
Wildwood — No rent control; Missouri state protections apply.

Missouri Tenant Resources

These organizations offer free or low-cost help to Missouri renters:

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri — Free civil legal aid for low-income residents of Eastern Missouri including St. Louis, including housing cases.
Legal Aid of Western Missouri — Free legal services for low-income residents of Western Missouri including Kansas City, including eviction defense.
Missouri Bar – Lawyer Referral Service — Referral service for tenants seeking an attorney for landlord-tenant disputes.

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