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.
Check your address to see what tenant protections apply to your rental.
Even without rent control, Missouri law gives renters meaningful rights in these areas:
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).
Month-to-month tenants must receive at least 30 days' written notice before the landlord terminates the tenancy (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.060).
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.
Missouri's anti-retaliation statute (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.053) prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who report code violations or exercise legal rights.
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).
These organizations offer free or low-cost help to Missouri renters:
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