Missouri · Evictions · Updated Oct 2026

Missouri eviction rules for tenants

The notices a landlord in Missouri must give, how long you have to respond in court, why a lockout is illegal and where to get free legal help fast.

Short answer

No written notice period is required.

Notice for unpaid rent
No notice required
Time to respond in court
The summons sets a court date no more than 21 business days after it is issued, and must be served at least 4 days before.
Lockouts
Banned

If you get an eviction notice

  1. Read it closely: the kind of notice, the amount, the dates and how it was delivered. Use the timeline below.
  2. Don't move out or stop paying because of a notice alone. Only a court can order an eviction; the notice is the first step.
  3. Get free legal help now. Legal aid and the court's self-help center can check whether the notice is valid.
  4. If you are served with court papers, respond by the deadline and go to every hearing. Missing one can mean losing by default.
  5. Keep copies of the notice, your lease, rent receipts, texts and photos.

Eviction in Missouri

Notice for unpaid rent
No written notice period is required. The landlord must have demanded the rent, and can then file a 'rent and possession' case right away (RSMo 535.020). You can stop the case by paying all rent owed and court costs on the judgment date; if you pay the money judgment and costs before the judgment becomes final, the eviction is stayed (RSMo 535.160).
Notice for a lease violation
No general statutory notice or right to cure; lease terms apply. For illegal gambling, prostitution or drug activity on the premises, the landlord must give a 10-day notice to vacate before taking possession through the legal process (RSMo 441.020, 441.040).
Ending a month-to-month tenancy
Written notice ending on a rent due date at least one month after it is received, from either side (RSMo 441.060).
Time to respond to an eviction lawsuit
The summons sets a court date no more than 21 business days after it is issued, and must be served at least 4 days before. Go to court on that date. After a judgment you have 10 days to ask to set it aside or ask for a new trial (trial de novo) (RSMo 535.030).
Lockouts and utility shutoffs
Yes. A landlord who removes you or your belongings, removes doors or locks, or willfully cuts electric, gas, water or sewer service without a court order (except for health or safety reasons) is guilty of forcible entry and detainer (RSMo 441.233). You can sue under chapter 534; if you win, the court orders you put back in and awards double your damages (RSMo 534.330). Exception: property left after the lawful abandonment process (RSMo 441.065).
Law
RSMo 441.060, 441.233, 534.330, 535.020, 535.030, 535.160

Eviction notice timeline for Missouri

Got a notice from your landlord? Enter the kind of notice and the day you got it to see the dates that follow from your state's rule, what your landlord may not do, and where to get free help fast.

This is not legal advice. Eviction deadlines are short and missing one can cost you your home. Read your notice carefully and contact legal aid or your court's self-help center right away.

Enter the date you got the noticeThe timeline appears when you pick a date.

Dates are estimates from the rule in our data. We skip weekends only where the rule counts business or court days, and we don't skip holidays.

Where to get free help in Missouri

Retaliation in Missouri

No statewide statute protecting tenants from retaliation.

Rent increases and rent control in Missouri

Notice of a rent increase
no statute; for month-to-month, the landlord can change terms by ending the tenancy with one month's written notice.
Rent control
No. Cities and counties may not regulate rent amounts, ban source-of-income discrimination, limit security deposits, restrict tenant screening, or require a tenant right of first refusal (RSMo 441.043, expanded August 28, 2025).

Questions about eviction in Missouri

How much notice does a landlord have to give for unpaid rent in Missouri?

No written notice period is required. The landlord must have demanded the rent, and can then file a 'rent and possession' case right away (RSMo 535.020). You can stop the case by paying all rent owed and court costs on the judgment date; if you pay the money judgment and costs before the judgment becomes final, the eviction is stayed (RSMo 535.160).

How much notice for a lease violation in Missouri?

No general statutory notice or right to cure; lease terms apply. For illegal gambling, prostitution or drug activity on the premises, the landlord must give a 10-day notice to vacate before taking possession through the legal process (RSMo 441.020, 441.040).

How much notice is needed to end a month-to-month lease in Missouri?

Written notice ending on a rent due date at least one month after it is received, from either side (RSMo 441.060).

How long do I have to respond to an eviction lawsuit in Missouri?

The summons sets a court date no more than 21 business days after it is issued, and must be served at least 4 days before. Go to court on that date. After a judgment you have 10 days to ask to set it aside or ask for a new trial (trial de novo) (RSMo 535.030).

Can my landlord lock me out or shut off utilities in Missouri?

Yes. A landlord who removes you or your belongings, removes doors or locks, or willfully cuts electric, gas, water or sewer service without a court order (except for health or safety reasons) is guilty of forcible entry and detainer (RSMo 441.233). You can sue under chapter 534; if you win, the court orders you put back in and awards double your damages (RSMo 534.330). Exception: property left after the lawful abandonment process (RSMo 441.065).

More for Missouri renters

Eviction in nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 2026.