A Missouri 30 Day Notice to Vacate is a legal lease termination letter written to terminate a tenancy of less than one (1) year, including a periodic lease. The letter is delivered at least thirty (30) calendar days before the end of the following rental period or expiration of the lease.
When to Use a Missouri 30 Day Notice to Vacate
A landlord or a tenant may use a Missouri 30-Day Notice to Vacate to end a tenancy of less than one (1) year in accordance with state law, including a periodic lease (i.e. week-to-week or month-to-month). The letter may also be used for tenants that do not have a written lease or for tenants with an expired lease.
How to Write a Missouri 30 Day Notice to Vacate
For a lease termination notice to be legally compliant:
- State who the legal letter is addressed to (use full name of the receiving party).
- Include the termination date of the lease or tenancy.
- Fill in the full address of the rental premises.
- For tenants, provide your new address and an updated phone number.
- Sign the notice and print your name.
- For landlords, include contact information, such as address and phone number.
- Complete the certificate of service by indicating the date and method of notice delivery along with printed name and signature.
Without this information on the lease termination notice, a judge may not be able to proceed with legal action.
How to Serve a Missouri 30 Day Notice to Vacate
A landlord or tenant can deliver lease termination notices in Missouri using either of the below acceptable methods:
- Handing the notice to the other party in person;
- Handing the notice to a person who can accept the letter on the party’s behalf AND mailing the notice by certified mail with a return receipt requiring the receiving party’s signature.
When sending the notice by certified mail, add three (3) calendar days to the notice period to account for variability in post office delivery times.
Sources
- 1 MO Rev Stat § 441.060
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A tenancy at will or by sufferance, or for less than one year, may be terminated by the person entitled to the possession by giving one month’s notice, in writing, to the person in possession, requiring the person in possession to vacate the premises
Source Link - 2 Missouri Court Rules of Civil Procedure - Rule 54.13
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On Individual. Upon an individual, including an infant or incompetent person not having a legally appointed guardian, by delivering a copy of the summons and petition personally to the individual or by leaving a copy of the summons and petition at the individual’s dwelling house or usual place of abode with some person at least 18 years of age residing therein, or by delivering a copy of the summons and petition to an agent authorized by appointment or required by law to receive service of process.
The courts accept notices served by certified mail with a return receipt only if sending party can present a certified mail receipt signed by the receiving party.
Source Link - 3 Missouri Court Rules of Civil Procedure - Rule 44.01
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Additional Time After Service by Mail. Whenever a party has the right or is required to do some act or take some proceedings within a prescribed period after the service of a notice or other paper upon the party and the notice or paper is served by mail, three days shall be added to the prescribed period.
Source Link