What a Landlord Cannot Do in Missouri: Know Your Rights

Renting a home should be straightforward, but too often, confusion over Missouri landlord-tenant law leads to unnecessary conflict. Whether you’re a tenant trying to understand your rights or a property owner managing a rental unit, knowing what a landlord cannot do in Missouri is critical. Mistakes like mishandling a security deposit or skipping proper notice can spark serious legal action, even if unintentional.

Landlord-tenant disputes don’t just create stress—they can result in months of unpaid rent, eviction lawsuits, or damage to a landlord’s business address and reputation.

Missouri’s rental laws set clear expectations for both the tenant and the landlord. But those lines are easy to cross if you’re not paying attention.

So what exactly are the limits? This guide will walk you through them—one by one.

Missouri Landlord-Tenant Law

Before we get into what a landlord cannot do in Missouri, let’s talk about the rulebook itself—the Missouri landlord-tenant law. This set of laws isn’t just legal fine print; it’s what defines the landlord-tenant relationship from day one.

Whether you’re renting out a small apartment or managing multiple rental units, Missouri rental laws ensure there’s a clear balance. These rules protect tenants from unlawful behavior while also giving landlords the authority to deal with issues like unpaid rent, property damage, or illegal activity. For example, if a tenant is dealing drugs on the premises, Missouri landlords can take legal action to remove them through the proper eviction process.

But this fairness goes both ways.

As a tenant, you’re entitled to live in a habitable space—one that’s structurally safe, has working utilities, and is free from serious hazards. If a landlord fails to meet these basic conditions, Missouri law gives tenants options. You might have the right to withhold rent or even sue if the property becomes unlivable.

Beyond the physical condition of the home, Missouri’s laws also demand equal treatment. Landlords and tenants must operate without discrimination. Turning away prospective tenants based on national origin or familial status isn’t just unethical—it’s illegal.

And let’s not forget the fine print: notice periods, security deposit handling, disclosures, and rent payments. Landlords must give proper notice before entering a rental property, must not wrongfully withhold a tenant’s security deposit, and must outline all lease terms in a written lease or rental agreement.

It’s these details ‘often overlooked’ that can make or break the landlord tenant experience in Missouri. Now that you’ve seen the foundation, let’s get into what a landlord cannot do Missouri.

1. Landlords Cannot Evict Active Duty Service Members from the Rental Property

Imagine serving your country and coming home to an eviction notice taped to your front door. For active duty military members in Missouri, that situation isn’t just unfair—it’s illegal without proper court approval.

Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), federal protections apply to tenants across Missouri who are on active duty. If you’re currently serving, landlords in Missouri cannot evict you or your dependents from a rental unit solely due to unpaid rent unless they first obtain a court order.

This is especially important in times of deployment, when managing rent payments or responding to legal notices becomes difficult.

This doesn’t mean that all evictions are off the table. If a tenant violates the lease agreement in other ways—like causing property damage or disturbing other tenants—the landlord can still file an eviction lawsuit. But even in those cases, the court takes military service into account.

In fact, if your military duties interfere with your ability to pay rent or attend a court hearing, the judge can pause eviction proceedings for 90 days or longer. That delay can be the difference between stability and sudden displacement.

Missouri landlords must understand this law before issuing a written notice or starting the eviction process. Ignoring SCRA protections could trigger serious legal consequences and result in court-ordered penalties or lawsuits.

By respecting the SCRA and Missouri’s rental laws, property owners protect not just their interests, but the people serving the country, too.

2. Court Order Is Required to Proceed with an Eviction

Evicting a tenant isn’t as simple as handing over a notice or changing the locks. In Missouri, it’s a legal process—and skipping any step can land a landlord in court instead of the tenant.

Let’s say a tenant falls behind on monthly rent or damages the rental property. It might feel urgent to take action, but under Missouri eviction laws, a landlord must follow a strict legal path. This means giving proper notice—typically 10 days for lease violations or unpaid rent—and only then can they proceed to file an eviction lawsuit in court if the issue isn’t resolved.

But even winning in court doesn’t give landlords the green light to act on their own. Only a law enforcement officer, with a writ of restitution in hand, has the legal authority to remove a tenant from the rental unit.

Missouri landlords cannot change the locks, shut off utilities, or remove belongings without this order. Doing so could be considered landlord harassment and lead to serious legal action.

Valid reasons for eviction include more than just unpaid rent. The law covers situations like illegal gambling on the premises, drug activity, violating the terms of a lease agreement, or allowing unauthorized residents into the rental unit.

Each of these requires clear documentation and a court’s decision before action is taken.

Landlords must remember: acting without a court order doesn’t just violate Missouri rental laws—it can end up costing far more than a few months’ rent.

3. Discrimination Is Prohibited Under Missouri Landlord-Tenant Law

Fair access to housing isn’t just a best practice—it’s the law. Landlords in Missouri are legally prohibited from discriminating against tenants or prospective tenants based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability.

These protections apply throughout the landlord tenant relationship and are enforced under both federal law and Missouri landlord tenant law.

That means a landlord cannot turn someone away from a rental unit simply because they are a single parent or belong to a particular religious group. It is also illegal to quote different rental fees or falsely claim a property is unavailable for discriminatory reasons.

If a landlord engages in any of these practices, they risk facing legal action, including fines, civil lawsuits, or the loss of their rental license.

While the law is clear on protected classes, recent changes in Missouri law have sparked important debate. House Bill 595, passed by the state legislature, now prevents cities from requiring landlords to accept Section 8 housing vouchers or other alternative sources of income.

In other words, Missouri landlords are legally allowed to deny tenants based on how they intend to pay rent, as long as it’s not tied to a protected category. This shift reflects Missouri’s status as a landlord-friendly state, but it also puts greater responsibility on property owners to avoid crossing the line into illegal discrimination.

For landlords, it is essential to keep detailed records and apply screening criteria consistently. For tenants, knowing your rights can make all the difference. If you suspect discrimination, you may be able to file a complaint or sue the landlord for damages.

Discrimination has no place in housing, and the law backs that up.

4. Security Deposits Are Subject to Legal Limits in Missouri

Security deposits often become a point of tension at the end of a lease—but Missouri law keeps the rules straightforward, leaving little room for guesswork.

Landlords in Missouri cannot demand more than two months’ rent as a security deposit. That’s the legal cap, regardless of a tenant’s background or credit score. So if the monthly rent is $1,200, the most a landlord can collect upfront is $2,400.

Anything more is a violation of Missouri landlord-tenant law and could result in the tenant taking legal action.

Once a tenant moves out, Missouri rental laws give landlords 30 days to return the deposit. Along with the payment, landlords must provide a written itemized list explaining any deductions. This includes charges for things like unpaid rent or actual damage to the rental unit.

Regular wear and tear—like faded paint or worn carpet—does not qualify.

If a tenant breaks the lease early or leaves without proper notice, the landlord may deduct lost rent, but only if they can’t re-rent the unit during that time. Every deduction must be documented. Photos, receipts, and move-in inspection reports help protect both the tenant and the property owner in case of a landlord-tenant dispute.

Landlords must also store security deposits in a separate bank account, keeping tenant funds apart from their personal or business finances. Failing to do so can lead to penalties if the landlord wrongfully withholds any portion of the money.

5. Cutting Off Utility Services to Force a Tenant Out Is Illegal

Some landlords think that turning off the lights or shutting down the water will speed up a tenant’s departure. In Missouri, that move can quickly land them in court.

It’s illegal for a landlord to disconnect essential utilities—such as water, gas, or electricity—as a way to force someone out of a rental unit. Even when a tenant misses rent payments or stays past the lease agreement, landlords must rely on the legal eviction process. Anything else is considered a form of illegal eviction.

Missouri landlord-tenant law is clear: utilities are part of a habitable home, and interfering with them can result in serious penalties. The law only makes an exception during urgent health or safety situations, and even then, landlords must follow formal procedures and restore services as soon as conditions allow.

Tenants who experience wrongful disconnection can take legal action. Courts may order landlords to pay for any losses, damages, or discomfort caused by the outage. In some cases, landlords may also have to cover legal costs or face fines.

Landlords in Missouri must always follow due process. Trying to regain possession by cutting off utilities doesn’t just damage the landlord-tenant relationship—it can end in legal trouble and financial consequences.

6. Reasonable Notice Must Be Given Before Entering a Rental Property

Tenants deserve to feel secure in their homes. That sense of privacy disappears fast when a landlord shows up unannounced. While Missouri law doesn’t define a specific notice period, it still expects landlords to act with fairness and respect.

The standard practice in Missouri is to give at least 24 hours’ notice before entering a rental unit for non-urgent reasons. Whether it’s a routine inspection, repairs, or showing the unit to prospective tenants or buyers, advance communication helps avoid misunderstandings and potential legal issues.

It’s not just about etiquette—it’s about maintaining trust in the landlord-tenant relationship.

Emergencies, like a burst pipe or electrical hazard, are the exception. In those cases, landlords can enter immediately to prevent harm. But for everything else, showing up without notice may be viewed as an invasion of privacy or even harassment.

If a lease agreement spells out stricter guidelines for entry, landlords must follow those terms exactly. Ignoring them opens the door to disputes, and in some cases, legal action. Missouri landlords should always document when and how notice was provided, even if it’s just a quick message with the time and purpose.

7. Landlords Are Required to Provide All Mandatory Disclosures

Starting a lease without knowing who actually owns or manages the property? That’s a red flag—and one that Missouri law aims to prevent.

Before any tenant moves in, landlords must provide specific disclosures under Missouri rental laws. This includes the name and business address of the property owner or whoever manages the rental unit. These details aren’t just formalities—they ensure tenants know who to contact if issues arise during the lease term.

For older properties, federal law requires landlords to disclose any known lead-based paint hazards if the building was constructed before 1978. This is especially important for families with children, as lead exposure poses serious health risks. If this information is withheld, the landlord may be held legally responsible.

Another lesser-known requirement involves environmental risks. If a landlord knows that the property has been contaminated by radioactive waste or other hazardous materials, that information must be shared with prospective tenants before the rental agreement is signed. Concealing such facts can lead to severe consequences.

Failure to deliver these mandatory disclosures can do more than cause confusion—it can weaken the lease agreement, create grounds for the tenant to sue, and expose landlords to liability. In some cases, a tenant may even have the right to break the lease early without penalty.

These aren’t optional steps. They’re part of the legal responsibilities that Missouri landlords must uphold to ensure transparency and accountability.

8. Proper Notice Is Necessary for Terminating Oral Lease Agreements

Oral lease agreements might seem simple, but when it’s time to end the arrangement, things can get complicated—fast. Missouri law treats verbal agreements just as seriously as written ones, especially when it comes to ending the lease.

For month-to-month rental agreements, landlords must give tenants at least one month’s written notice before asking them to move out. This notice must clearly state the move-out date and be delivered in writing. A casual text or phone call won’t hold up if a dispute arises.

If the tenant has violated the lease—such as failing to pay rent or damaging the rental unit—Missouri law allows landlords to issue a 10-day written notice to correct the issue or vacate. But again, proper documentation is critical. Without it, even a valid eviction case can be delayed or dismissed in court.

Skipping these steps or providing vague instructions can backfire. A landlord who doesn’t follow the required notice period might end up restarting the entire eviction process or facing legal penalties.

To avoid mistakes, landlords should treat verbal lease agreements with the same level of care as written ones. Timely, clear communication backed by documentation protects both parties and keeps the landlord-tenant relationship on solid ground.

9. Rent Increases Must Be Reasonable and Legally Justified

Receiving a rent hike out of nowhere can leave tenants scrambling—but that doesn’t mean landlords can raise rent however they like. Even in a landlord friendly state like Missouri, rent increases come with rules.

Missouri does not have rent control laws, which means there’s no cap on how much a landlord can raise the monthly rent. But that freedom isn’t without limits. Any increase must align with the terms in the lease agreement and comply with notice requirements under Missouri landlord-tenant law.

For month-to-month leases, landlords must give at least one full rental period’s written notice before increasing the rent. So, if rent is due on the first of the month, tenants should be notified by the start of the previous month. Anything less may not hold up if the increase is challenged.

A rent increase also cannot be used as a form of retaliation. For example, if a tenant reports code violations or exercises their legal rights, and then the landlord raises the rent in response, that can be seen as retaliatory and illegal.

The same goes for discriminatory increases targeting tenants based on race, familial status, or national origin.

While Missouri rental laws allow flexibility, they don’t give landlords a free pass to act unfairly. Excessive hikes that violate the lease or appear targeted can lead to landlord-tenant disputes, legal complaints, or even rent being withheld.

10. Landlords Cannot Make False or Misleading Statements About the Property

Promising a quiet neighborhood, updated appliances, or on-site laundry might attract tenants, but if those claims aren’t true, it’s more than just bad business. It’s a legal risk.

In Missouri, landlords are required to give honest and accurate details about the rental property, whether during advertising, lease negotiations, or in required disclosures. That includes representing the true condition of the unit, any known damages, and the actual amenities provided.

Stretching the truth or omitting key information can backfire fast.

Let’s say a landlord promises central air, but the unit only has window fans. Or maybe they fail to mention a mold issue they already knew about. These kinds of misrepresentations can lead tenants to sue the landlord, cancel the lease agreement, or seek financial compensation for damages.

Missouri rental laws don’t just protect tenants during the lease—they apply before the lease is even signed. Landlords must disclose critical information upfront, including anything related to health, safety, or habitability.

Conclusion

Renting out a property comes with responsibilities, and in Missouri, the law draws clear lines that landlords cannot cross. From honoring notice periods to avoiding retaliation and respecting tenant privacy, every action must follow legal standards. Violating these rules doesn’t just create conflict—it can lead to fines, lawsuits, and serious damage to a landlord’s reputation.

Tenants, too, have the power to protect themselves. Understanding your rights under Missouri landlord-tenant law can help you respond when something feels off, whether it’s an unexpected rent increase or an illegal utility shutoff. For landlords, staying up to date with Missouri rental laws is the smartest way to avoid landlord-tenant disputes and foster a more professional rental experience.

If you’re a property owner, manager, or law firm handling cases involving military personnel, make sure you’re meeting your legal obligations. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) includes specific protections, and failing to comply can jeopardize your case.

Need to confirm if a tenant is on active duty before proceeding with an eviction or legal action? Use the SCRACVS military verification service to get fast, court-admissible proof of active duty status and stay compliant with the SCRA. Verify now with SCRACVS.

FAQs

What is considered landlord harassment in Missouri?

Landlord harassment in Missouri includes actions that interfere with a tenant’s right to peacefully enjoy their rental unit. This can involve repeated, unnecessary visits, threats, unlawful entry without reasonable notice, or attempts to pressure a tenant into leaving without proper legal action. Under Missouri landlord tenant law, these tactics may be grounds for a tenant to file a complaint or sue the landlord. Harassment can also be used as a defense in an eviction lawsuit if the landlord’s behavior violates tenant rights.

Can a landlord lock you out in Missouri?

No, landlords in Missouri cannot lock tenants out of the rental property without a court order. Changing locks, removing tenant belongings, or restricting access to the home without going through the proper eviction process is illegal. Missouri rental laws clearly prohibit these self-help tactics. Only law enforcement, acting under a writ of restitution, can physically remove a tenant. If a landlord wrongfully withholds access to the unit, tenants may seek legal action for damages or reinstatement.

Can a landlord change the lease terms without my consent?

Landlords are not allowed to change the lease terms of a written lease agreement without the tenant’s consent. Once signed, the lease is legally binding until the lease termination date, unless both parties agree to amend it. For month-to-month rental agreements, Missouri landlords must provide proper written notice—typically one month—before making changes like rent increases. Changing rules mid-lease without consent is a common violation that can lead to landlord-tenant disputes.

What does the “repair and deduct” remedy involve under Missouri law?

Under Missouri law, tenants may have the right to make necessary repairs and deduct the cost from rent payments if the landlord fails to maintain a habitable living space. This remedy applies only in limited situations, and tenants must follow proper steps, such as providing written notice, allowing a reasonable time for the landlord to respond, and keeping receipts. Not every issue qualifies, so tenants should review the lease agreement and consider legal advice before using the repair and deduct option.

Can a Missouri landlord shut off utilities for nonpayment?

No, shutting off utilities for nonpayment is a clear violation of what a landlord cannot do in Missouri. Essential services like water, electricity, and gas must remain active unless there is a legitimate emergency or authorized service interruption. Even if the tenant has unpaid rent, landlords must pursue a formal eviction lawsuit rather than attempting to force the tenant out through a utility shutoff. Tenants facing this issue can file complaints and potentially recover damages under Missouri landlord-tenant law.