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
- An owner who has not possessed the land within ten years before suing generally cannot recover it from an adverse possessor.
- An owner can file a verified petition in the county where a residential property sits to have unlawful occupants removed, and the court can issue an ex parte order that the sheriff enforces.
Missouri's adverse possession period is ten years. Since 2024, owners can also petition the court for a fast order removing unlawful occupants from a residential property.
Missouri squatters rights at a glance
| Rule | Missouri | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Adverse possession period | An owner who has not possessed the land within ten years before suing generally cannot recover it from an adverse possessor. | RSMo 516.010 |
| How owners remove occupants | An owner can file a verified petition in the county where a residential property sits to have unlawful occupants removed, and the court can issue an ex parte order that the sheriff enforces. | RSMo 534.602 |
Adverse possession
An occupant can gain title only after a long period of open, continuous possession without the owner’s permission, and only by meeting every condition the law sets.
Adverse possession period. An owner who has not possessed the land within ten years before suing generally cannot recover it from an adverse possessor. (RSMo 516.010)
Removing an unauthorized occupant
How owners remove occupants. An owner can file a verified petition in the county where a residential property sits to have unlawful occupants removed, and the court can issue an ex parte order that the sheriff enforces. (RSMo 534.602)
Where the case is filed. Rent and possession cases are filed with an associate circuit judge in the county where the property is located. (RSMo 535.020)
Why force backfires
Removing an occupant by force can expose an owner to liability, especially if the occupant claims to be a tenant.
Self-help eviction. A landlord who removes a tenant or their belongings, changes or removes locks or doors, or willfully cuts essential services without a court order is treated as committing forcible entry and detainer. (RSMo 441.233)
Protecting a vacant property
Visit vacant properties on a schedule, keep them locked and lit, post no trespassing signs where allowed, and act quickly when someone moves in. Do not accept money from an occupant, because rent can look like a tenancy.
Mistakes to avoid
- Waiting months to act after someone moves in.
- Changing locks or removing belongings yourself.
- Accepting rent or utility payments from the occupant.
- Leaving a vacant property unchecked for long stretches.
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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 516.010
- RSMo 534.602
- RSMo 535.020
- RSMo 441.233
Official sources
Missouri forms for this topic
Letters and checklists for this topic
The parts people misread.
How long does adverse possession take in Missouri?
An owner who has not possessed the land within ten years before suing generally cannot recover it from an adverse possessor. Source: RSMo 516.010.
How does an owner remove a squatter in Missouri?
An owner can file a verified petition in the county where a residential property sits to have unlawful occupants removed, and the court can issue an ex parte order that the sheriff enforces. Source: RSMo 534.602.