Missouri Security Deposit Limits

Your Missouri landlord has 30 days after your move-out date to return your security deposit along with an itemized statement of any deductions. This deadline is set by Mo. Rev. Stat. §535.300.

If your landlord misses the 30-day deadline, you may be entitled to up to 3× the amount wrongfully withheld under Mo. Rev. Stat. §535.300(6). The penalty applies when your landlord acted in bad faith.

No. Missouri law under Mo. Rev. Stat. §535.300 explicitly prohibits landlords from deducting for normal wear and tear. This includes faded paint, minor scuffs, small nail holes, and carpet thinning from regular use. Deductions must be for actual damage beyond what normal living causes.

Missouri law under Mo. Rev. Stat. §535.300 governs how much a landlord can charge for a security deposit. Most states cap deposits at one to two months' rent. If your landlord charged more than the legal maximum, you may be entitled to recover the excess amount independent of any deposit return dispute.

If your landlord collected a deposit in excess of the legal limit in Missouri, you can send a demand letter requesting the excess back. You can also include this claim in a small claims case (up to $5,000). This violation is separate from any issue with returning the deposit at move-out.