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.
Last reviewed
The short version
- No county or city may enact or enforce an ordinance that regulates the amount of rent charged for private residential or commercial rental property.
Missouri bars cities and counties from regulating rent amounts on private property. A 2025 law widened that preemption to cover local rules on screening, source of income, deposits and rights of first refusal.
Missouri rent control at a glance
| Rule | Missouri | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Rent control status | No county or city may enact or enforce an ordinance that regulates the amount of rent charged for private residential or commercial rental property. | RSMo 441.043 |
Does Missouri have rent control?
Rent control status. No county or city may enact or enforce an ordinance that regulates the amount of rent charged for private residential or commercial rental property. (RSMo 441.043)
Limits on increases
We could not confirm a statewide rule here. Check your county court or a local attorney.
City and county rules
Local ordinances. Local governments also may not require landlords to accept housing assistance as income, restrict a landlord's screening criteria, limit security deposits or require tenant rights of first refusal. (RSMo 441.043)
Notice before an increase
We could not confirm a statewide rule here. Check your county court or a local attorney.
Mistakes to avoid
- Assuming a unit is exempt without checking the exemption rules and any notice the exemption requires.
- Following state rules and missing a stricter city ordinance.
- Raising rent in the middle of a fixed term when the lease does not allow it.
- Giving less notice than the increase requires.
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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
- RSMo 441.043
Official sources
Missouri forms for this topic
Letters and checklists for this topic
Asked by landlords in this state.
Does Missouri have rent control?
No county or city may enact or enforce an ordinance that regulates the amount of rent charged for private residential or commercial rental property. Source: RSMo 441.043.
Do cities in Missouri have their own rent rules?
Local governments also may not require landlords to accept housing assistance as income, restrict a landlord's screening criteria, limit security deposits or require tenant rights of first refusal. Source: RSMo 441.043.