Eviction Process in Missouri: A 2026 Landlord's Guide
No notice required for nonpayment — can file immediately. 10-day for violations. Court process 1-3 months. No grace period required. Filing fee ~$36. Immediate eviction for illegal activities.
Required notice types in Missouri
| Type | Notice Period | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Nonpayment | None required | Tenant failed to pay rent. Tenant may cure by paying the full amount owed before the deadline in most states. |
| Lease violation (curable) | 10 days | Tenant is violating lease terms (unauthorized pets, unauthorized occupants, noise, etc.) and has the option to correct the violation. |
The eviction process, step by step
Step 1 — File immediately. Missouri does not require a pre-filing notice for nonpayment of rent. Once rent is late, you may file directly with the court.
Step 2 — File a Rent & Possession complaint. If the tenant doesn't pay or move out by the deadline, file in the appropriate court (typically justice, district, or small claims depending on county).
Step 3 — Court hearing. The court sets a hearing, typically within 2-7 weeks. Bring the lease, payment ledger, copy of the notice, and proof of service.
Step 4 — Judgment and writ of possession. If you win, the court issues a judgment. After the tenant's appeal window closes, the sheriff or constable executes the writ and restores possession.
How long does an eviction take in Missouri?
Uncontested cases in Missouri typically move through the courts in about 45 days from notice to sheriff's lockout. Contested cases, tenant bankruptcy filings, and local court backlogs can extend this significantly. The minimum realistic timeline (everything uncontested, no appeals) is roughly 14 days.
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LandlordPro drafts a Missouri notice in about 2 minutes using the notice period and service language on file for Missouri, with a digital audit trail. Check the current statute or a local attorney before you serve it.
Start free — no credit cardKey statute for Missouri
Notice for unpaid rent
Authority: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.020
Whenever any rent has become due and payable, and payment has been demanded by the landlord or the landlord's agent ... Giving the notice provided in section 441.060 is not required prior to filing a statement
What this means: Missouri law sets no minimum notice period before you can file for eviction over unpaid rent.
Read from the statute text (verified 2026-09-22)
Notice for other lease violations
Authority: Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 441.030, 441.040
If any tenant violates the provisions of section 441.020 or 441.030, the landlord, or person holding under the landlord, after giving ten days' notice to vacate the premises, shall have a right to reenter the premises
What this means: Missouri law sets no fixed notice period before filing for a lease violation other than unpaid rent. Watch for this: Missouri gives a 10-day notice to vacate for a lease violation with no right to cure (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.030).
Read from the statute text (verified 2026-09-22)
Ending a month-to-month tenancy
Authority: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.060(4)(1)
the landlord or the tenant may terminate a month-to-month tenancy by a written notice given to the other party stating that the tenancy shall terminate upon a periodic rent-paying date not less than one month after the receipt of the notice.
What this means: Missouri requires 30 days' notice to end a month-to-month tenancy.
Read from the statute text (verified 2026-09-22)
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to give notice before filing an eviction for nonpayment in Missouri?
Missouri does not require a pre-filing notice for nonpayment of rent. Once rent is late, you may file directly. Lease-required notice periods may still apply — check your lease before skipping a notice step.
How long does an eviction take in Missouri?
An uncontested eviction in Missouri typically takes about 45 days from notice to sheriff's lockout. Contested cases, tenant bankruptcy, or court backlogs can add weeks or months.
Can I evict a tenant at the end of their lease in Missouri without cause?
Missouri generally allows landlords to end a tenancy at the close of a fixed-term lease or with proper notice to a month-to-month tenant, without needing to show fault. Local ordinances may add requirements — confirm with an attorney if you're in a large city.
Can I change the locks or shut off utilities to force a Missouri tenant out?
No. Self-help evictions — changing locks, removing belongings, shutting off utilities — are illegal in Missouri and every other US state. Only a court order and a sheriff or constable can legally remove a tenant. Self-help exposes you to damages and statutory penalties.
What happens if my Missouri tenant files for bankruptcy during eviction?
A bankruptcy filing triggers an automatic stay that halts the eviction, even if you have a judgment. You'll generally need to file a motion for relief from the automatic stay in bankruptcy court before resuming. Bankruptcies add weeks or months — factor this into your risk assessment.
Handling evictions in Missouri with LandlordPro
LandlordPro is built to keep you on the right side of Missouri's procedural rules. The notice wizard asks a few questions, drafts a notice using the number of days and language on file for this state; verify it against the current statute before serving, and logs proof of service. If the case proceeds to court, LandlordPro's eviction timeline tracks every deadline and its tenant records bundle feature assembles an attorney-review-ready PDF with a plain-English AI records summary of the case — a tool no other landlord software offers.
Create your first Missouri notice →
Raising the rent: Missouri requires 30 days' notice before a rent increase (via the month-to-month notice rule). Missouri rent increase laws →
Late rent: Missouri caps late fees at the greater of $20 or 20%. Missouri late fee laws →
Related: Missouri security deposit law — limits & return deadlines · What an eviction costs in every state
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Choosing landlord software
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