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Missouri Security Deposits and Last Month’s
Rent:
MAXIMUM SECURITY DEPOSIT
Under Missouri law, a landlord can only require a maximum two
months' rent as a security deposit.
RETURN OF DEPOSIT
At the end of the lease, the landlord has 30 days to return
the security deposit with an itemized list of damages for which
any portion of the deposit is kept.
During that 30-day period, the landlord must notify the
tenant of the time and date when the landlord plans to inspect
the dwelling.
The tenant has the right to be present during the move-out
inspection, which must be conducted at a reasonable time.
To avoid last-minute problems, tenants should ask the
landlord in what condition he expects the unit to be left. Then
allow plenty of time for cleaning. Actually, you are expected to
return the unit "broom clean". Even if you rented it
filthy, return it as clean as possible, less any normal
wear and tear.
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The landlord may keep all or part of a deposit to pay for actual
damages (not for normal wear and tear), unpaid rent, or lost
rent due to the tenant moving out without adequate notice.
The tenant may not use the security deposit
to pay the last month's rent.
Remember to give the landlord your forwarding address in
writing. Otherwise, he may not be able to send your deposit.
If the landlord has wrongfully withheld all or part of a
deposit, the tenant may sue to recover up to twice the amount
wrongfully withheld.
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Expiration
of lease
Leases specify a date on which the
tenant must move. Neither the landlord nor the tenant is
required to give notice.
Some leases contain an automatic renewal
clause. These are automatically renewed unless the
tenant notifies the landlord that he will move when the
lease ends.
Any agreement between a tenant and
landlord allowing the tenant to stay after the lease
ends should be in writing. Otherwise if there is a
disagreement, the tenant may be charged double rent.
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