Missouri Security Deposit Law: Deadlines & Penalties

Missouri landlords must return a security deposit within 30 days after the tenancy ends. Before returning it, the landlord may deduct unpaid rent, the cost of restoring the unit to its move-in condition apart from ordinary wear and tear, and actual losses caused when a tenant fails to give proper notice of moving out. A landlord can't collect a deposit of more than two months' rent.

If the landlord keeps any part of the deposit, they must give the tenant a written, itemized list of the damages along with the balance. Mailing these to the tenant's last known address is enough, so give your landlord a forwarding address in writing. Landlords must also give reasonable notice of the move-out inspection, and tenants have the right to be there.

A tenant who shows that the landlord wrongfully kept any part of the deposit can recover twice the amount wrongfully withheld. Because the right to attend the inspection is written into the statute, it is worth asking for the date and time in writing and bringing your own photos and notes to compare against the landlord's list.