Security Deposit Alternative in Missouri
Missouri caps a security deposit at two months' rent and gives you 30 days after the tenancy ends to return it in full or send an itemized list of damages with the balance. Before you deduct anything you have to give the resident written notice of when you will inspect the unit, and they have the right to be there. Withhold wrongly and the resident recovers twice the amount.
What Missouri law says about security deposits
- Can you require it?
- Review the security definition
- Security is defined by its function, however named. The deposit section does not approve a recurring fee alternative.
- Statutory cap
- Two months' rent
- Return deadline
- 30 days after the tenancy ends
- The law
- Missouri's security deposit law
- RSMo 535.300
Source baseline: . See the official Missouri source. Deposit rules change, and this is general information rather than legal advice. Confirm the current text with your own counsel before you change a lease.
Can you require it of every Missouri resident?
Missouri §535.300 defines security as money or property furnished to secure performance, however denominated, with a stated pet-deposit exclusion. Deposits normally go in a federally insured institution and interest belongs to the landlord; government landlords have a stated account exception. The section limits deductions, prescribes carpet-cleaning lease and receipt conditions, and requires reasonable written inspection notice with a right to attend. It does not establish permission for Beagle’s recurring waiver fee; review that instrument’s actual classification.
Rules differ by state and by city, and subsidized housing is its own question. This is general information for property managers, not legal advice. Get a written opinion before you make the fee a condition of tenancy anywhere.
How the program works in Missouri
Review Beagle's deposit alternative alongside the agreement for your property. Protection, resident responsibilities and claim handling depend on the program terms and applicable state and local requirements.
Explain the options at signing
A qualifying fee arrangement lets a resident pay a monthly charge instead of providing the full cash deposit. Explain the available deposit choice, refundability and continuing resident obligations at signing. The payment’s legal treatment depends on the arrangement and jurisdiction.
Match protection to the lease
Compare the selected program’s covered losses, limit, exclusions and claim requirements with the deposit your lease would require. Payment depends on an eligible claim and the program terms; a fee does not itself guarantee the same recovery as cash security.
Document move-out and give notice
A deposit alternative changes how an eligible claim is paid. Keep move-in and move-out evidence, provide the notices required for the property's jurisdiction, and follow the program's claim process. Claim review and resident disputes can still require your team's involvement.
Agree the program economics
Confirm the resident’s charge and any property administration payment in your quote and agreement. Include permitted fees in the disclosures required for the property; earnings depend on the agreed economics and applicable law.
Security deposit rules in other states
- AlabamaReview the payment’s security function
- AlaskaReview nonrefundability and notice rules
- ArizonaReview security and fee rules
- CaliforniaReview the broad security definition
- ColoradoReview security function and fee pricing
- ConnecticutCheck upfront fees and total-rent disclosure
- DelawareOptional surety has its own rules
- FloridaOptional only
- GeorgiaReview cap scope and return duties
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- HawaiiCheck the fee rules first
- IdahoReview security purpose and custody
- IllinoisReview return rules and fee disclosures
- IndianaReview returnable security and the address
- IowaReview deposit custody and instructions
- KansasReview deposit caps and refund triggers
- KentuckyConfirm local adoption and required records
- LouisianaReview security function and statement timing
- MaineOptional licensed surety has separate notice
- MarylandOptional only
- MassachusettsConfirm authorizing rules
- MichiganReview the deposit procedure
- MinnesotaReview fee classification and disclosure
- MississippiReview the payment’s security function
- MontanaCleaning and damage fees presumed security
- NebraskaReview function and housing-agency scope
- NevadaOptional only
- New HampshireCheck the fee rules first
- New JerseyReview trust, interest and special refunds
- New MexicoReview reasonable security and mailing
- New YorkReview fee restrictions
- North CarolinaReview the bond structure
- North DakotaReview security cap and 30-day accounting
- OhioReview the security definition
- OklahomaReview escrow and the demand trigger
- OregonCheck the fee rules first
- PennsylvaniaReview escrow and fee classification
- Rhode IslandReview security function and furniture limit
- South CarolinaReview deposit standards and agreement
- South DakotaReview security function and both notices
- TexasOptional only
- UtahReview nonrefundable designation and notice
- VermontReview refundable definition and local law
- VirginiaOptional only
- WashingtonOptional only
- West VirginiaReview refundable security and contractor notice
- WisconsinReview security and deduction rules
- WyomingReview disclosures and separate clocks
Missouri security deposit alternative FAQs
A two-month deposit remains subject to §535.300’s allowed deductions, inspection notice and 30-day accounting. An alternative’s upfront cost and recovery depend on its terms and legal classification; the statute does not guarantee equivalent recovery.
See it on your Missouri units
Run the selected program against your own unit count, or review its charges, onboarding and agreement terms with our team.