Eviction notice rules in Missouri
Nonpayment notice
No statutory cure period: the landlord must first demand the rent (RSMo § 535.010), then may file a rent-and-possession suit immediately — an immediate, unconditional quit notice is allowed. However, if the tenant tenders all rent due plus costs before the judge at the hearing, no judgment for possession may enter (§ 535.040).
Lease-violation notice
No statutory cure-period scheme; notice terms are governed by the lease, then a 1-month termination notice for periodic tenancies (§ 441.060). Expedited eviction may be ordered for drug-related activity or emergency threats to safety/property (§ 441.740).
Unconditional quit (no second chance)
Nonpayment can be pursued on an immediate, unconditional quit (535.010); drug-related criminal activity and emergency safety threats allow expedited court-ordered eviction (441.740).
No-cause / end-of-tenancy notice
Month-to-month: 1 month's written notice ending on a rent-paying date (§ 441.060). Year-to-year: 60 days before the end of the year (§ 441.050). Fixed-term leases end on their date with no notice (§ 441.070).
How the notice must be served
Unverified — needs attorney review (no service-rule statute confirmed in this research pass).
Your right to fix it (cure)
Late but powerful: tender of rent due plus costs at the hearing blocks the possession judgment (535.040). No statutory pre-suit cure period for other violations.
How days are counted
Unverified — needs attorney review.
After the notice expires
Landlord must file either a rent-and-possession action (§§ 535.010-535.040) or an unlawful-detainer action (§ 534.030); tenant need not leave until a court order. A lockout/utility shutoff without process is forcible entry and detainer (§ 441.233).
Court timeline
Summons must be served at least 4 days before the court date (535.030 / 534.090); cases typically resolve in weeks. Contested cases take longer.
Retaliation & defenses
No statewide anti-retaliation statute confirmed in this research pass — unverified, needs attorney review. Implied warranty of habitability (King v. Moorehead) is a defense/offset.
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