Renting a home or apartment in Missouri comes with a variety of legal protections for tenants, including rules about how and when a landlord can increase rent. Understanding the state’s rent increase laws is crucial for tenants to ensure they are being treated fairly and are aware of their rights. With new updates coming in 2025, it’s important to stay informed about what’s changing and how it affects you as a renter.
In Missouri, there is no statewide rent control, meaning that landlords are generally allowed to increase rent at any time. However, there are specific rules and guidelines that must be followed to ensure that rent increases are fair and legal. One of the main requirements is that landlords must provide proper notice before increasing rent. The minimum notice period depends on the type of rental agreement you have. If you have a month-to-month lease, your landlord must provide at least 30 days’ notice before increasing the rent. If you have a fixed-term lease, such as a one-year lease, the rent cannot be increased during the lease term unless there is a clause in the lease agreement that allows for rent increases. If the lease is up for renewal, the landlord may propose a rent increase, but the tenant is free to negotiate or choose not to renew.
The law also stipulates that rent increases can typically only occur at the end of a lease term or with proper notice in month-to-month leases. As of 2025, landlords cannot increase rent more than once every 12 months in a month-to-month rental agreement. This means that even if a landlord wishes to raise rent, they can only do so once per year.
If you’re under a fixed-term lease, your rent cannot be raised until the lease ends unless specified in the lease agreement itself. If you do not agree to the increase, you have the option to move out or negotiate with the landlord.
In Missouri, landlords are allowed to increase rent, but they cannot do so for discriminatory reasons or in retaliation for tenants exercising their rights, such as complaining about habitability issues or joining a tenants’ union. Rent increases also cannot be imposed in violation of fair housing laws. For example, landlords cannot increase rent based on a tenant’s race, gender, religion, or family status.
A security deposit cannot be increased at the same time as a rent increase, unless it’s explicitly stated in the lease. If a landlord raises the rent, they may require a larger security deposit only upon lease renewal, but the increase in the deposit must be justifiable.
While Missouri does not impose statewide rent control laws, local ordinances in certain cities or counties might offer additional protections. Cities like St. Louis or Kansas City may begin implementing more rules to ensure that tenants are not subjected to extreme rent hikes, especially in areas with limited affordable housing.
In areas experiencing high demand for housing, local governments may create ordinances requiring landlords to justify large rent increases or provide additional notice. Some areas may even introduce policies that ensure rent increases are fair and prevent excessive hikes in rent that could price out long-term residents.
If tenants believe a rent increase is unfair or illegal, there are several steps they can take. The first step is to check the lease agreement to see if it includes provisions regarding rent increases and renewal. If the lease prohibits a rent increase or specifies the timing and amount, the landlord must follow these terms. If tenants feel that the rent increase violates their rights, they can seek legal advice, check with local government offices, or consult tenant advocacy groups for guidance.
Missouri’s rent increase laws for 2025 maintain a system where landlords have the right to raise rent but are required to follow certain procedures for notification and fairness. While there are no statewide rent control laws, the state has clear guidelines to protect tenants from sudden, unfair increases. Tenants should stay informed about any local regulations that may impact their rights regarding rent increases and always review lease agreements before agreeing to terms.
Sources
[1] https://www.hemlane.com/resources/missouri-rent-control-laws/
[2] https://www.steadily.com/blog/rent-increase-laws-regulations-missouri
[3] https://www.doorloop.com/blog/how-much-can-a-landlord-raise-rent
[4] https://innago.com/missouri-landlord-tenant-laws/
[5] https://ago.mo.gov/get-help/programs-services-from-a-z/landlord-tenant-law/
