Missouri Eviction Laws
Missouri rules on eviction for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-23.
Short answer: No fixed pay-or-quit notice period. Landlord must demand the rent; if it is unpaid, landlord may file a rent-and-possession statement. The one-month termination notice of 441.060 is not required before filing. RSMo 535.020
The rules in Missouri
| Notice for unpaid rent | No fixed pay-or-quit notice period. Landlord must demand the rent; if it is unpaid, landlord may file a rent-and-possession statement. The one-month termination notice of 441.060 is not required before filing. Tenant can stop the case by tendering all overdue rent plus costs on the judgment date (RSMo 535.160). Source: RSMo 535.020 |
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| Notice for lease violations | 10 days' notice to vacate for breach of a written lease condition, unauthorized assignment/sublet, or waste (violations of 441.030), and for illegal use under 441.020 (gambling, bawdyhouse, controlled substances). The statute provides no right to cure. Expedited eviction for drug-related criminal activity or violence is available under RSMo 441.710-441.880; 441.780 dispenses with notice in certain of those actions. Source: RSMo 441.030, 441.040, 441.020 |
| Lockouts & utility shutoffs | Prohibited. A landlord who removes or excludes a tenant or the tenant's property without judicial process and court order, or removes doors or locks, is guilty of forcible entry and detainer. The same applies to willfully interrupting essential services (electric, gas, water, sewer) unless done for health or safety reasons. Tenant can sue under Ch. 534, which awards double damages and double monthly rents/profits until restitution. Exception: abandonment procedure under RSMo 441.065. Damages: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=534.330 Source: RSMo 441.233; 534.330 |
How an eviction case works in Missouri
Eviction cases are heard in: Circuit Court, Associate Circuit Division, in the county where the property is located.
- Nonpayment: landlord demands rent (no fixed notice period). Lease breach, waste, or unauthorized sublet: 10-day notice to vacate (441.040). Holdover/month-to-month: one-month written termination notice (441.060).
- Landlord files a rent-and-possession statement (Ch. 535) or an unlawful detainer complaint (Ch. 534) with an associate circuit judge in the county
- Summons served at least 4 days before the court date, or by posting plus mailing at least 10 days before it. The court date is within 21 business days of issuance.
- Hearing. In a rent case, the tenant may stop it by tendering all overdue rent and costs (535.160).
- Judgment for possession, rent, and costs. Tenant has 10 days to move to set aside or apply for a trial de novo before the judgment becomes final.
- Execution issues. The officer (sheriff) delivers possession to the landlord within 5 days of receiving the execution (535.040).
Landlords: how to evict a tenant in Missouri — steps, costs, timeline and forms.
Eviction court and fees by county
- St. Louis County
- Jackson County (Kansas City)
- St. Louis City
- Greene County (Springfield)
- Boone County (Columbia)
- St. Charles County (St. Charles, O'Fallon, St. Peters)
- Clay County (Liberty, North Kansas City, part of Kansas City)
- Jasper County
- Jefferson County
Free calculators
- Notice Deadline Calculator — Enter the date a notice was delivered and see the date it runs out under your state's law.
Templates
Related questions
- Can a landlord evict you without going to court, change the locks or shut off utilities?
- How long does an eviction take?
- How much notice does a landlord have to give before an eviction?
Missouri vs. neighboring states
| State | Notice for unpaid rent | Notice for lease violations | Lockouts & utility shutoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | No fixed pay-or-quit notice period. Landlord must demand the rent; if it is unpaid, landlord may file a rent-and-possession statement. The one-month termination notice of 441.060 is not required before filing. RSMo 535.020 | 10 days' notice to vacate for breach of a written lease condition, unauthorized assignment/sublet, or waste (violations of 441.030), and for illegal use under 441.020 (gambling, bawdyhouse, controlled substances). The statute provides no right to cure. RSMo 441.030, 441.040, 441.020 | Prohibited. A landlord who removes or excludes a tenant or the tenant's property without judicial process and court order, or removes doors or locks, is guilty of forcible entry and detainer. The same applies to willfully interrupting essential services (electric, gas, water, sewer) unless done for health or safety reasons. Tenant can sue under Ch. 534, which awards double damages and double monthly rents/profits until restitution. RSMo 441.233; 534.330 |
| Arkansas | For a civil unlawful detainer, the landlord must give three days' written notice to vacate before filing. Ark. Code Ann. § 18-60-304 | Three days' written notice to vacate before filing an unlawful detainer, the same as for nonpayment. Ark. Code Ann. § 18-60-304 | Lockouts and other self-help evictions are not allowed. The Arkansas Supreme Court held in Gorman v. Ratliff (1986) that under the forcible entry and detainer law a landlord may not re-enter a rental or carry away a tenant's belongings without first going to court, and that lease clauses allowing self-help are invalid. A tenant who wins can recover costs and damages. No statute specifically addresses utility shutoffs by a landlord. The legal routes to regain possession are unlawful detainer (§§ 18-60-301 et seq., 3 days' written notice) and eviction in district court (§§ 18-17-901 et seq.), with the sheriff executing the writ. Gorman v. Ratliff, 289 Ark. 332, 712 S.W.2d 888 (1986); Ark. Code Ann. §§ 18-60-301 et seq., 18-17-901 |
| Illinois | Written demand giving not less than 5 days after service to pay; if unpaid, landlord may end the lease and file for eviction. To keep partial payments from invalidating the notice, it must state that only FULL PAYMENT waives the right to terminate. 735 ILCS 5/9-209 | 10 days' written notice to quit after default in any lease term (other than rent). 735 ILCS 5/9-210 | Self-help eviction not allowed: a landlord must go to court and may not evict by turning off utilities, locking the tenant out, changing locks, or removing belongings; only a sheriff may physically evict. Illinois AG fact sheet 'The Eviction Process' |
| Iowa | 3 days' written notice of nonpayment and of the landlord's intent to terminate if rent is not paid within that period. After that notice, no separate 3-day notice to quit is required before filing. Iowa Code § 562A.27(2); § 648.3(1) | 7 days' written notice specifying the breach; the lease terminates if the breach is not remedied within 7 days. A repeat of substantially the same breach within 6 months allows termination on 7 days' notice without a right to cure. For a clear and present danger to others, a single 3-day notice of termination and notice to quit. Iowa Code § 562A.27(1); § 562A.27A | If the landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant or willfully interrupts electric, gas, water or other essential services, the tenant may recover possession (or terminate the lease) and recover actual damages, punitive damages up to twice the monthly rent, and reasonable attorney fees. Iowa Code § 562A.26 |
| Kansas | 3 days' written notice to pay or the lease terminates (three consecutive 24-hour periods from delivery or posting; add 2 days if mailed). Before filing, a 3-day notice to leave the premises is also required; it may be combined with the RLTA notice. K.S.A. 58-2564(b); K.S.A. 61-3803 | Written notice that the lease will terminate on a date at least 30 days after receipt unless the breach is remedied within 14 days. If the same or a similar breach recurs after the 14-day period, the landlord may give a 30-day termination notice with no opportunity to cure. K.S.A. 58-2564(a) | If the landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant or willfully interrupts electric, gas, water or other essential services, the tenant may recover possession or terminate the lease and recover the greater of 1.5 months' rent or actual damages. K.S.A. 58-2563 |
| Kentucky | URLTA areas: 7 days' written notice to pay or the lease terminates. Non-URLTA areas: no statutory pre-filing notice period for nonpayment was found; terms are governed by the lease. KRS 383.660(2) | URLTA areas: written notice specifying the breach; lease terminates on a date at least 14 days after receipt if not remedied (statute says 'remedied in fifteen (15) days'). A repeat within 6 months allows termination on 14 days' notice without cure. Non-URLTA areas: no statute. KRS 383.660(1) | URLTA areas: if the landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant or willfully interrupts heat, water, hot water, electric, gas or other essential service, the tenant may recover possession or terminate and recover up to 3 months' rent plus reasonable attorney fees. Statewide: a landlord's entry on the possession of a tenant at will or by sufferance is a forcible entry, remediable through a forcible entry and detainer action in District Court. KRS 383.655; KRS 383.200(2)(b), 383.210 |
| Nebraska | 7 calendar days' written notice of nonpayment and intent to terminate; landlord may terminate if rent is not paid within that time. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1431(2) | Written notice of a material breach or breach affecting health and safety: tenant has 14 days to remedy, and the agreement terminates on a date at least 30 days after receipt of notice if not remedied. Repeat of substantially the same breach within 6 months: termination on at least 14 days' written notice (no cure). Violent criminal activity, illegal drug sales, or other activity threatening health/safety: 5 days' written notice, no right to cure. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1431(1), (4) | Prohibited. If a landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant, or willfully interrupts electric, gas, water, or other essential service, the tenant may recover possession or terminate, and recover an amount equal to three months' periodic rent as liquidated damages plus a reasonable attorney's fee. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1430 |
| Oklahoma | 5 days' written notice demanding payment. If rent is not paid within 5 days after the notice, the landlord may terminate the rental agreement. The demand counts as a demand for possession; no further notice to quit is required. 41 O.S. § 131 | Material noncompliance: written notice stating a termination date at least 15 days after receipt; tenant has 10 days to remedy, otherwise the lease ends on the stated date. A repeat breach allows immediate termination on written notice. Imminent, irremediable harm or criminal / drug-related activity allows immediate termination by filing forcible entry and detainer. 41 O.S. § 132(B)-(D) | Self-help eviction prohibited in effect: if a landlord wrongfully removes or excludes the tenant, the tenant may recover possession or terminate, and recover the greater of twice the average monthly rent or twice actual damages. If the landlord willfully or negligently cuts essential services, tenant may terminate, buy substitute services and deduct, recover diminished rental value damages, or obtain substitute housing excused from rent. 41 O.S. § 123; 41 O.S. § 121(C) |
| Tennessee | 14 days. URLTA counties: written notice that the lease will end unless the rent is paid within 14 days after the tenant receives the notice. The tenant can cure by paying. Notice may be waived only by a waiver in 12-point or larger bold type in the lease, and the 5-day late-fee grace period still applies. Non-URLTA counties: 14 days' notice for rent that is due and in arrears, upon demand. The lease does not end if the tenant pays before the date in the notice. T.C.A. 66-28-505(a)(2), (b); 66-28-201(c); 66-7-109(a) | URLTA counties: (1) a breach that can be fixed by paying money or repairs: 14 days to cure, or the lease ends; (2) any other material breach: termination no less than 14 days after the tenant receives notice; (3) the same breach again within 6 months: 7 days' written notice; (4) violent acts, real and present danger, hazardous or unsanitary conditions, or an unauthorized occupant who refuses to leave: termination 3 days after the tenant receives written notice. Non-URLTA counties: 14 days for damage beyond normal wear and tear (curable) or for violent or dangerous behavior; 30 days for all other lease defaults; 3 days for violent acts, drug-related criminal activity, or dangerous behavior (except tenants who are mentally or physically disabled). T.C.A. 66-28-505(a); 66-28-517(a); 66-7-109(a), (b), (d) | URLTA counties: if a landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant, or willfully cuts essential services required by the lease, the tenant may recover possession or end the lease. In either case the tenant may recover actual damages, punitive damages when appropriate, and reasonable attorney's fees. If the lease ends, the landlord must return all prepaid rent and deposits. All counties: a person may enter and take possession of property only where the law gives a right of entry, and then only peaceably. Entering a home occupied by another and holding it by force, threats or intimidation, removing the occupant's belongings, or entering peaceably and then keeping the occupant out by force or terror is a forcible entry and detainer. Outside URLTA counties, no statute sets a specific damages remedy for a lockout or utility shutoff. T.C.A. 66-28-504; 66-28-517(d); 29-18-101 to 29-18-103 |
City rules that may add to state law
More Missouri rental law
- Missouri Security Deposit Law
- Missouri Notice to Vacate Rules
- Landlord Entry Rules in Missouri
- Missouri Repairs & Tenant Remedies
- Missouri Rent Increase & Late Fee Laws
- Breaking a Lease in Missouri
- Squatters' Rights in Missouri
- Missouri Rental Fee Rules
- Missouri Section 8, Records & Right to Counsel
- Missouri Mold, Pests, Heat & AC Rules
- Missouri Privacy, Guests & Animal Rules
- Missouri Landlord Selling the House
- Missouri Lockouts, Utility Shutoffs & Retaliation
- Missouri Subletting, Lease Endings & Tenant Death
- All Missouri landlord-tenant rules
- Free legal help in Missouri
Compare eviction in all 50 states and DC →
Missouri Eviction Laws FAQ
How much notice does a landlord have to give before evicting for unpaid rent in Missouri?
No fixed pay-or-quit notice period. Landlord must demand the rent; if it is unpaid, landlord may file a rent-and-possession statement. The one-month termination notice of 441.060 is not required before filing. (RSMo 535.020)
How much notice is required to evict for a lease violation in Missouri?
10 days' notice to vacate for breach of a written lease condition, unauthorized assignment/sublet, or waste (violations of 441.030), and for illegal use under 441.020 (gambling, bawdyhouse, controlled substances). The statute provides no right to cure. (RSMo 441.030, 441.040, 441.020)
Can a landlord change the locks or shut off utilities in Missouri?
Prohibited. A landlord who removes or excludes a tenant or the tenant's property without judicial process and court order, or removes doors or locks, is guilty of forcible entry and detainer. The same applies to willfully interrupting essential services (electric, gas, water, sewer) unless done for health or safety reasons. Tenant can sue under Ch. 534, which awards double damages and double monthly rents/profits until restitution. (RSMo 441.233; 534.330)
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.