Missouri Residential Lease Agreement
A free Missouri lease template, plus what Missouri law requires a lease to include, attach or leave out — each with the statute. Use it as a starting point; landlords with unusual situations should have a lawyer review the final lease.
Disclosures Missouri requires
| Owner and manager name and address | At or before the start of the tenancy, the landlord (or anyone authorized to sign the rental agreement for the landlord) must disclose in writing the name and address of the person authorized to manage the premises and of an owner or the owner's agent for service of process and for receiving notices and demands. The information must be kept current, and the duty binds successor landlords, owners and managers. A person who fails to comply becomes the landlord's agent for service, notices, landlord duties and rent collection. Applies to: All residential rental agreements Source: RSMo 535.185 |
|---|---|
| Prior methamphetamine production | A landlord who knows that the property was used as a methamphetamine production site must disclose that fact in writing to the prospective tenant, even if no one was convicted. Applies to: Rentals where the landlord knows of prior methamphetamine production Source: RSMo 441.236 |
Terms Missouri law requires or controls
| Carpet cleaning charges | A landlord may deduct carpet cleaning costs from the security deposit only if the rental agreement contains a provision telling the tenant they may be liable for the actual cost of carpet cleaning beyond ordinary wear and tear. The landlord must give a receipt for the actual cleaning cost within 30 days after the tenancy ends. Applies to: Leases where the landlord wants to deduct carpet cleaning from the deposit Source: RSMo 535.300 |
|---|---|
| Security deposit handling | The deposit must be held in a federally insured bank, credit union or other depository institution; interest earned belongs to the landlord. Within 30 days after the tenancy ends the landlord must return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions with any balance, and must give reasonable written notice of the move-out inspection, which the tenant may attend. Pet deposits are not security deposits under this section. Applies to: All residential leases with a security deposit (government landlords exempt from the depository rule) Source: RSMo 535.300 |
| Month-to-month termination notice | A month-to-month tenancy (including any unwritten residential lease in a city or town) ends only on written notice setting a termination date on a rent day at least one month after the notice is received. The same rule applies to landlord and tenant. Applies to: Month-to-month tenancies Source: RSMo 441.060 |
Clauses that are void in Missouri
| Deposit above two months' rent | A landlord may not demand or receive a security deposit greater than two months' rent. Applies to: All residential leases Source: RSMo 535.300 |
|---|---|
| Waiver of deficient-housing remedies | Any lease provision that waives or denies an occupant a protection of the inadequate and deficient housing (nuisance receivership) statutes, RSMo 441.500 to 441.643, is against public policy and void. Applies to: All dwelling-unit leases Source: RSMo 441.610 |
Fill in the lease
Nothing you type leaves your browser. Bracketed items are yours to complete; clauses marked as required by Missouri law must be written to meet the rule shown above.
1. Parties. This lease is between [landlord name] ("Landlord") and [tenant name(s)] ("Tenant"). Landlord's address for notices: [landlord notice address].
2. Property. Landlord rents to Tenant the home at [rental address], including [parking, storage, appliances included].
3. Term. The lease begins on [start date] and ends on [end date]. [If month-to-month instead: the tenancy continues month to month until either side gives the written notice Missouri law requires.]
4. Rent. Rent is $[monthly rent] per month, due on the [due day] day of each month, paid by [payment method] to [where to pay].
5. Late fee. If rent is not received by [late day], a late fee of $[late fee] is due. This fee must comply with Missouri law (RSMo Chs. 441, 534 and 535 (no section on late fees)).
6. Security deposit. Tenant pays a security deposit of $[deposit amount], within the Missouri limit (RSMo 535.300.1). Landlord will return it, minus lawful deductions with any required itemized list, within the time Missouri law sets (RSMo 535.300.3).
7. Utilities. Tenant pays: [utilities tenant pays]. Landlord pays: [utilities landlord pays].
8. Occupants and guests. Only these people may live in the home: [names of all occupants]. Guests may stay up to [guest limit] unless Landlord agrees in writing.
9. Pets. [No pets allowed / Pets allowed: describe, plus any pet deposit or fee]. Assistance animals for people with disabilities are not pets and are handled under fair housing law.
10. Repairs and maintenance. Landlord keeps the home safe and fit to live in and makes repairs required by law. Tenant keeps the home clean, reports problems promptly in writing, and pays for damage beyond normal wear and tear.
11. Landlord entry. Landlord may enter for repairs, inspections or showings after giving the notice Missouri law requires (RSMo Chs. 441, 534 and 535 (no section on landlord entry)), except in an emergency.
12. Subletting. Tenant may not sublet or assign this lease without Landlord's written consent, which [will / will not] be unreasonably withheld.
13. Ending the lease. At the end of the term, [the lease ends / the lease renews month to month] unless either side gives written notice at least [notice days] days before the end date, and never less than Missouri law requires.
14. Carpet cleaning charges. (Write this clause to meet Missouri law: see "Carpet cleaning charges" above (RSMo 535.300).)
15. Security deposit handling. (Write this clause to meet Missouri law: see "Security deposit handling" above (RSMo 535.300).)
16. Month-to-month termination notice. (Write this clause to meet Missouri law: see "Month-to-month termination notice" above (RSMo 441.060).)
17. Disclosures attached. Landlord has given Tenant these disclosures required by Missouri law: Owner and manager name and address; Prior methamphetamine production. [Attach each one.]
18. Lead paint (homes built before 1978). If the home was built before 1978, Landlord has given Tenant the federal lead-based paint disclosure and the EPA pamphlet "Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home."
19. Whole agreement. This lease and its attachments are the whole agreement. If any part is not allowed by law, the rest still applies. Changes must be in writing and signed by both sides.
Landlord: [landlord name] Signature: ____________ Date: [date signed]
Tenant: [tenant name(s)] Signature: ____________ Date: [date signed]
Lease agreement templates for other states · Missouri landlord-tenant law · More templates
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.