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    Missouri Residential Lease Agreement

    Missouri caps most security deposits at 2 months' rent (1 exception applies), and requires its return within 30 days after the lease ends.

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    Missouri lease rules at a glance

    Key Missouri rules for a residential lease, with the statute behind each
    RuleWhat the law says
    Security deposit cap2 months' rent (with exceptions)RSMo § 535.300.1, RSMo § 441.043.2(3)
    Deposit return deadline30 days after the lease endsRSMo § 535.300.3
    Late feesNo state cap · grace period: no state grace periodRSMo ch. 441 (silent), RSMo ch. 535 (silent)
    Landlord entry noticeNo state ruleRSMo ch. 441 (no landlord-entry provision), RSMo ch. 535 (no landlord-entry provision)
    Ending a month-to-month lease30 days (either side)RSMo § 441.060
    Rent increase noticeNo state ruleRSMo § 441.060.4
    Rent controlNone; cities barred from adopting itRSMo § 441.043
    Eviction notice for unpaid rentNo state ruleRSMo § 535.020, RSMo § 535.010, RSMo § 441.060

    Missouri lease disclosures checklist

    Missouri adds one statutory lease disclosure: a landlord who knows the premises were used to make methamphetamine must disclose that in writing to the prospective tenant; pre-1978 housing also needs the federal lead-paint disclosure (RSMo § 441.236; 40 CFR 745.107). (RSMo § 441.236, 40 CFR 745.107)

    • Lead-based paint disclosure, lead warning statement and EPA pamphlet — Housing built before 1978 (unless exempt under 40 CFR 745.101)42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 40 CFR Part 745 Subpart F (§ 745.107)
    • Written disclosure that methamphetamine was produced on the premises — Before leasing, if the landlord knows of prior production (conviction not required)RSMo § 441.236

    MakeLease generates a customizable lease; add these Missouri disclosures and terms.

    Before you sign in Missouri

    Deposit cap exceptions in Missouri
    Two months' rent RSMo § 535.300.1, RSMo § 441.043.2(3)
    • Pet deposits (excluded from the statutory definition of 'security deposit', so not subject to the two-month cap): no cap
    If a deposit is withheld wrongly
    A landlord who wrongfully withholds any part of the deposit owes the tenant twice the amount wrongfully withheld (RSMo § 535.300.6). (RSMo § 535.300.6)
    Deductions from the deposit
    Landlords who keep any part of the deposit must give the tenant a written itemized list of damages within 30 days after the tenancy ends (RSMo § 535.300.3(2)). (RSMo § 535.300.3(2))
    Interest on the deposit
    Missouri landlords do not owe tenants interest on deposits, because any interest earned belongs to the landlord, but deposits must be held in a federally insured institution (RSMo § 535.300.2). (RSMo § 535.300.2)
    Rent control and increases
    Missouri has no rent control, and state law bars cities and counties from regulating rent amounts or capping security deposits on private rental property (RSMo § 441.043). (RSMo § 441.043)

    No statewide rent control; no county or city (including charter governments) may enact, maintain or enforce an ordinance regulating the rent for privately owned residential or commercial rental property, or limiting security deposits, with exceptions for government-owned property, voluntary agreements on subsidized property and CDBG-assisted property (RSMo § 441.043, as amended 2025).

    • In effect since .
    If rent goes unpaid
    Missouri sets no waiting period before a rent-and-possession suit: the landlord must demand the unpaid rent, and may then file once it is not paid, with no separate notice to quit required (RSMo §§ 535.010, 535.020). (RSMo § 535.020, RSMo § 535.010, RSMo § 441.060)

    Missouri lease FAQs

    How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Missouri?

    Landlords may not demand or receive a security deposit of more than two months' rent, though a deposit denominated as a pet deposit is excluded from the cap (RSMo § 535.300.1, .8).

    How long does a Missouri landlord have to return a security deposit?

    Within 30 days after the tenancy ends, landlords must return the full deposit or mail an itemized list of damages along with any remaining balance (RSMo § 535.300.3).

    Is there a limit on late fees in Missouri?

    Missouri has no statute capping residential late fees, so the fee is set by the lease but should be reasonable (RSMo chs. 441 and 535 contain no late-fee limit) (RSMo ch. 441 (silent)). Missouri law does not require a grace period before a late fee may be charged, so any grace period comes from the lease (RSMo chs. 441 and 535 contain no grace-period rule) (RSMo ch. 441 (silent)).

    How much notice must a Missouri landlord give before entering a rental?

    Missouri has no statute requiring a landlord to give notice before entering a rented home, so access is governed by the lease (RSMo chs. 441 and 535) (RSMo ch. 441 (no landlord-entry provision)).

    How much notice ends a month-to-month tenancy in Missouri?

    Either a Missouri landlord or tenant may end a month-to-month tenancy with written notice that the tenancy ends on a rent due date at least one month after the notice is received (RSMo § 441.060.4(1)).

    What disclosures does a Missouri lease need?

    Missouri adds one statutory lease disclosure: a landlord who knows the premises were used to make methamphetamine must disclose that in writing to the prospective tenant; pre-1978 housing also needs the federal lead-paint disclosure (RSMo § 441.236; 40 CFR 745.107). The list covers Lead-based paint disclosure, lead warning statement and EPA pamphlet and Written disclosure that methamphetamine was produced on the premises.

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