The maximum duration for a standard residential lease agreement in Missouri is one (1) year. Oral leases are valid for shorter lease terms, but leases of one year or more must be written.
It is recommended that all leases be in writing, regardless of duration. Oral leases are more difficult to prove and enforce. Additionally, an oral lease lasting more than one year may not be valid or may be considered a ‘lease-at-will’ (MO Rev Stat § 432.050 (2019), which may mean it is easier for the landlord to remove a tenant.
If there is no duration mentioned in the lease, the tenancy is considered month-to-month. Additionally, oral leases can only have a month-to-month duration (MO Rev Stat § 441.060 (2019)).
The information for this answer was found on our Missouri Residential Lease Agreement answers.