When a renter in Missouri can’t obtain necessary repairs, before beginning a court case it’s usually possible to file a report with the proper government departments about the unsafe conditions on the premises. Code inspectors have the power to order repairs or fine noncompliant landlords.
What Are Considered Unsafe Living Conditions in Missouri?
In Missouri, unsafe living conditions exist when a rental property doesn’t have safe and working:
- Provided electric, gas, water, and sewer service.
- All features required by local code.
- Common areas.
- Anything impacting health, safety, or habitability.
A landlord’s direct or indirect interruption of utility services may qualify as an unsafe condition, along with any other issue that substantially impacts health and safety on a property.
What Should Tenants Do Before Reporting a Violation in Missouri?
In most cases, before reporting a violation, a tenant in Missouri must notify the landlord in writing about the issue and ask him to fix it within a “reasonable” time, which is usually within 14 days.
How Can Tenants Report a Violation in Missouri?
Tenants in Missouri should report violations to the local office or officers responsible for housing code enforcement. The exact process depends on municipality.
| Location | Organization | Contact |
| Kansas City | myKCMO | Online Form |
| St. Louis | Citizens’ Service Bureau | Online Form |
| Springfield | Citizen Resource Center | Online Form |
After receiving a complaint, an inspecting officer might contact the tenant for more information. Then the officer will usually inspect the property and cite the landlord for any code violations.
How Can a Tenant Report a Health or Safety Violation in Kansas City?
A tenant in Kansas City can report a health or safety violation by calling the myKCMO service at (816) 513-1313 or using the provided online form. Most issues will fall under “Property Maintenance.” Answer the form questions, describe the issue, provide location and contact information, and submit.
How Can a Tenant Report a Health or Safety Violation in St. Louis?
A tenant in St. Louis can report a health or safety violation by calling the Citizens’ Service Bureau at (314) 622-4800 or using the provided online form. Most issues will fall under “Residential Property Inspections.” Enter location, answer the questions to detail the issue, provide contact information, and submit.
How Can a Tenant Report a Health or Safety Violation in Springfield?
A tenant in Springfield can report a health or safety violation by calling the Citizen Resource Center at (417) 864-1010 or using the provided online form. Select an issue, enter the location, provide description and photo if possible, provide contact information, and submit.
What Could Happen to a Landlord After a Complaint Is Made in Missouri?
After a tenant files a complaint about unsafe living conditions in Missouri, an officer may inspect the property. The landlord must fix noted code violations. Otherwise, the landlord could be fined and the local government might file to condemn the property.
Sources
- 1 Detling v. Edelbrock, 671 S.W.2d 265, 270 (Mo. 1984)
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“[A] tenant seeking to state a cause of action for breach of the warranty of habitability must allege facts satisfying the following elements: (1) entry into a lease for residential property; (2) the subsequent development of dangerous or unsanitary conditions on the premises materially affecting the life, health and safety of the tenant; (3) reasonable notice of the defects to the landlord; and (4) subsequent failure to restore the premises to habitability.
Source Link - 2 Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.233(2) (2022)
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“Any landlord or its agent who willfully diminishes services to a tenant by interrupting or causing the interruption of essential services, including but not limited to electric, gas, water, or sewer service, to the tenant or to the premises shall be deemed guilty of forcible entry and detainer as described in chapter 534; provided however, this section shall not be applicable if a landlord or its agent takes such action for health or safety reasons.”
Source Link - 3 Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.234(2) (2022)
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“If there exists a condition on residential premises which detrimentally affects the habitability, sanitation or security of the premises, and the condition constitutes a violation of a local municipal housing or building code, and the reasonable cost to correct the condition is less than three hundred dollars, or one-half of the periodic rent, whichever is greater, provided that the cost may not exceed one month’s rent, the tenant may notify the landlord of the tenant’s intention to correct the condition at the landlord’s expense. If the landlord fails to correct the condition within fourteen days after being notified by the tenant in writing or as promptly as required in case of an emergency, the tenant may cause the work to be done in a workmanlike manner and, after submitting to the landlord an itemized statement, including receipts, deduct from the rent the actual and reasonable cost of the work, as documented by the receipts, not exceeding the amount specified in this subsection.”
Source Link
