Missouri Revised Statutes section 535.300 controls the statewide deposit rule
Section 535.300 sets Missouri's two-month cap, 30-day return or itemization rule, deduction categories, inspection notice, and wrongful-withholding remedy.
What the statute does in plain English
- Caps most residential security deposits at two months' rent.
- Requires return or a written itemized damages list with any balance within 30 days after tenancy termination.
- Allows mailing to the tenant's last known address to comply with the return or statement rule.
- Limits deductions to listed categories, with ordinary wear and tear excluded.
- Requires reasonable inspection notice and gives the tenant the right to be present.
- Allows twice the amount wrongfully withheld when wrongful withholding is proven.
Why the remedy matters
If the landlord wrongfully withholds your Missouri deposit, you could win double damages in court. That is leverage. The practical record should show the 30-day deadline, itemized-list problem, inspection record, deduction issue, and amount owed.
Address and inspection details renters should not miss
The statute says the landlord complies with the return or statement rule by mailing to the tenant's last known address. That makes written address proof practical because it reduces fights over where the landlord was supposed to send the deposit response.
The inspection rule also matters. The landlord must give reasonable notice of the date and time, and the tenant may be present. Save the notice and any record showing whether you attended or tried to attend.
Official sources
Source reviewed: April 2026.
Related Missouri guides
Important: This is general information and not legal advice.