Missouri security deposit law

Security Deposit Laws in Missouri: What Your Landlord Can and Cannot Keep

Your landlord has 30 days under Missouri law to return your security deposit, or you may be owed more than what they withheld. If they keep more than they're legally allowed, you can dispute it.

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Missouri security deposit return timeline

Deadline to return

30 days

Statute

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300.3 (deadline/itemization); § 535.300.6 (penalty)

Within thirty days after the date of termination of the tenancy the landlord must either return the full deposit or furnish a written itemized list of damages withheld for, ALONG WITH the balance (§ 535.300.3). No tenant demand is required; the landlord complies by mailing the statement and payment to the tenant's LAST KNOWN ADDRESS — so a tenant who never updated their address can lawfully "miss" the mailing; give the landlord a current address in writing. The landlord must give notice of a move-out inspection date and time, and the tenant has the right to be present (§ 535.300.5). Deposit cap: two months' rent. Interest on the deposit belongs to the LANDLORD (§ 535.300.2) — do not claim interest.

What can a landlord legally deduct in Missouri?

Allowed

  • ✓Amounts reasonably necessary to remedy a default in the payment of rent
  • ✓Restoring the unit to its condition at commencement, ordinary wear and tear excepted (carpet cleaning only if the rental agreement provides for it, with receipts for actual cost)
  • ✓Actual damages from the tenant's failure to give adequate notice to terminate, provided the landlord makes reasonable efforts to mitigate

Not allowed

  • ✗Ordinary wear and tear
  • ✗Anything outside the three listed categories

What if your landlord keeps your deposit wrongfully in Missouri?

If the landlord wrongfully withholds all or any portion of the deposit, the tenant SHALL recover as damages TWICE the amount wrongfully withheld (§ 535.300.6). The multiplier attaches to the amount wrongfully withheld, not the whole deposit; no bad-faith element; no attorney-fee provision in the section.

How TenantNex helps

  1. 1. Tell us your move-out date, deposit amount, and landlord's address — two minutes.
  2. 2. We generate a demand letter citing Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300.3 (deadline/itemization); § 535.300.6 (penalty) and your exact deadline.
  3. 3. We mail it to your landlord via USPS Certified Mail with return receipt.
  4. 4. You track delivery on your case page, with day-7 and day-14 follow-up.

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Missouri tenant rights resources

Every fact on this page is verified against Missouri's official statutory text as of 2026-09-07. TenantNex prepares legal correspondence as a document preparation service, not as your attorney. For complex disputes, consult a licensed attorney in Missouri.

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What TenantNex is — and isn't

TenantNex is a document preparation and delivery service, not a law firm. We prepare and send correspondence using publicly available state statutes. We do not provide legal advice, legal representation, or guarantee any outcome. For complex legal matters, consult a licensed attorney in your state.