Two months' rent. The return rule is 30 days. The controlling text is Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300.
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Missouri's deposit ceiling
Two months' rent.
Missouri's return deadline
30 days.
You have 30 days after the tenancy ends to return the deposit or deliver an itemized list of damages with any balance. The tenant has the right to be present at the move-out inspection if they request it.
The itemized statement rule
An itemized list of the reasons for any deduction is required within 30 days. Withholding for ordinary wear is not allowed.
Account and interest rules
Missouri sets no separate-account or interest requirement. A dedicated deposit account remains sound practice.
Exposure for wrongful withholding
Up to 2x wrongfully withheld.
A landlord who wrongfully withholds a deposit is liable for up to twice the amount wrongfully withheld. The itemized list inside 30 days is what keeps a deduction from becoming a doubled penalty.
Compare Missouri with neighboring states
- Iowa: two months' rent; return rule: 30 days.
- Illinois: no statutory limit; return rule: 30 or 45 days.
- Kentucky: no statutory limit; return rule: 30 to 60 days.
- Tennessee: no statutory limit; return rule: no fixed statutory deadline.
- Arkansas: two months' rent; return rule: 60 days.
- Oklahoma: no statutory limit; return rule: 30 days after demand.
- Kansas: one month's rent; return rule: 30 days.
- Nebraska: one month's rent; return rule: 14 days.
Verified against Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300 and official state sources in July 2026. Before withholding money, check the current statute text or ask a local landlord-tenant attorney. General information, not legal advice.