| Quick Facts | Answer |
| Maximum / Limit | 2 Months’ Rent |
| Receipt Requirement | None |
| Inventory Requirement | None |
| Interest Requirement | None |
To learn about laws on security deposit returns in Missouri, click here.
Some cities and counties may have regulations which are more restrictive than those presented here. Always check local laws.
Maximum Security Deposit Allowed in Missouri
Missouri law limits the maximum security deposit to two months’ rent.
Can Landlords Charge an Additional Pet Deposit in Missouri?
Yes, landlords can collect an additional pet deposit in Missouri, except for service dogs and emotional support animals. There is no limit on how much a landlord can collect for a pet deposit in Missouri.
How Much Rent Can a Landlord Collect Upfront in Missouri?
There is no limit on the amount of rent that can be collected upfront in Missouri. Many states have a limit on the amount of rent that can be collected at once, but Missouri does not.
Security Deposit Collections in Missouri
While other states have additional requirements for landlords that collect a security deposit, such as providing certain documentation of the condition of the unit at move-in, Missouri does not.
Do Landlords Have To Provide a Receipt for the Security Deposit in Missouri?
Although some states like Washington require a receipt, landlords are not required to provide a receipt for the security deposit in Missouri.
What Obligations Do Landlords Have To Establish the Condition at Move-in in Missouri?
Missouri law does not require landlords to document or establish the property’s condition at move-in. While many other states legally require a written inventory of damages to be completed when collecting a security deposit, Missouri does not.
Security Deposit Holdings in Missouri
Landlords in Missouri must hold security deposits in a federally-insured bank, credit union, or other financial institution. State law does not regulate the commingling of deposits, so landlords can hold security deposits along with their own funds.
Are Tenants Entitled to Interest on Their Security Deposit in Missouri?
Missouri law does not require landlords to provide interest on held security deposits. If a landlord chooses to hold a security deposit in an interest-bearing account, the interest belongs to them and not the tenant.
How Are Security Deposits Accounted for in Missouri?
Security deposits are not considered taxable income when they are collected.
What Happens to a Security Deposit When the Property is Sold in Missouri?
Missouri law does not regulate the handling of a security deposit when a property is sold. However, the landlord in possession of the security deposit must handle it according to the applicable rules.
Sources
- 1 Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300(1) & (2)
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1. A landlord may not demand or receive a security deposit in excess of two months’ rent.
2. All security deposits shall be held by the landlord for the tenant, who is a party to the rental agreement, in a bank, credit union, or depository institution which is insured by an agency of the federal government. Any interest earned on a security deposit shall be the property of the landlord. A housing authority created under section 99.040 or any other government entity acting as a landlord shall not be subject to this subsection.
Source Link - 2 Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300(8)
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As used in this section, the term “security deposit” means any deposit of money or property, however denominated, which is furnished by a tenant to a landlord to secure the performance of any part of the rental agreement, including damages to the dwelling unit. This term does not include any money or property denominated as a deposit for a pet on the premises.
Source Link
