General information, not legal advice. Landlord-tenant rules change, and cities and counties can add their own. Check the current statute and local ordinances, and talk to a licensed attorney before you act.
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The short version
- A service member who enters active duty or receives qualifying orders can end a residential lease early with written notice and a copy of the orders.
- Either the landlord or the tenant can end a month to month tenancy with written notice that ends the tenancy on a rent due date at least one month after it is received.
Missouri has few statewide early termination rights beyond federal protection for service members. A month to month tenancy can be ended by either side with one month's written notice that ends on a rent day.
Missouri breaking a lease at a glance
| Rule | Missouri | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Military service | A service member who enters active duty or receives qualifying orders can end a residential lease early with written notice and a copy of the orders. | Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 3955) |
| Month-to-month notice | Either the landlord or the tenant can end a month to month tenancy with written notice that ends the tenancy on a rent due date at least one month after it is received. | RSMo 441.060 |
Reasons that allow an early exit
A few situations let a tenant end a lease early with written notice and no penalty beyond what the law allows.
Military service. A service member who enters active duty or receives qualifying orders can end a residential lease early with written notice and a copy of the orders. (Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 3955))
Unlivable conditions
We could not confirm a statewide rule here. Check your county court or a local attorney.
What the tenant may still owe
Outside those situations, a tenant who leaves early is usually responsible for rent until the lease ends or the unit is re-rented, whichever comes first.
We could not confirm a statewide rule here. Check your county court or a local attorney.
Month-to-month tenancies
Month-to-month notice. Either the landlord or the tenant can end a month to month tenancy with written notice that ends the tenancy on a rent due date at least one month after it is received. (RSMo 441.060)
Mistakes to avoid
- Billing the tenant for every remaining month without trying to re-rent the unit.
- Ignoring a protected early termination notice because it is inconvenient.
- Agreeing to an early exit by phone without a written agreement.
- Keeping more of the deposit than the lawful deductions.
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General information, not legal advice.
Verify current law
We last checked these Missouri rules on . Laws change and cities can add their own, so confirm the current text before you rely on it, and talk to a Missouri attorney about your situation.
Laws named on this page
- Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 3955)
- RSMo 441.060
Official sources
Missouri forms for this topic
Letters and checklists for this topic
Before you act on it. Check the statute too; this is not legal advice.
Can a service member break a lease in Missouri?
A service member who enters active duty or receives qualifying orders can end a residential lease early with written notice and a copy of the orders. Source: Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 3955).
How much notice ends a month-to-month tenancy in Missouri?
Either the landlord or the tenant can end a month to month tenancy with written notice that ends the tenancy on a rent due date at least one month after it is received. Source: RSMo 441.060.