A household goods mover that operates for hire in or between Missouri municipalities, or in commercial zones, must obtain operating authority from the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) Motor Carrier Services before it hauls your belongings inside the state. Checking that authority is the first consumer step MoDOT recommends.

Interstate moves follow federal rules instead of, or in addition to, this Missouri authority.

How do you verify a Missouri mover?

MoDOT's Household Goods Transport page states that Missouri regulations protect consumers on intrastate moves and define the rights and responsibilities of consumers and carriers. Household goods carriers must obtain operating authority from Motor Carrier Services before operating in or between Missouri municipalities and/or in commercial zones.

MoDOT publishes a "List of Authorized Transporters of Household Goods" as a downloadable file. Use the current list on the official page rather than an old copy or a company's own claim. The list MoDOT posted in early 2026 shows each carrier's name, doing-business-as name, USDOT number, addresses, and whether the status is active or suspended. A suspended carrier is not a safe choice even if the truck looks professional.

You can also ask the company for its USDOT number and Missouri authority and then confirm both with Motor Carrier Services. MoDOT Motor Carrier Services is at 830 MoDOT Drive, P.O. Box 270, Jefferson City, MO 65102. The toll-free number is 1-866-831-6277. The local number is 573-751-7100. The email address is contactmcs@modot.mo.gov. The broader MoDOT line is 1-888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636).

MoDOT also publishes a Moving in Missouri guidebook and consumer sheets on choosing a reputable mover, do's and don'ts, determining the cost, inventory, and a blank-document warning. Those materials tell you not to use an unlicensed mover and not to treat a phone or written estimate as the actual price unless you have a binding estimate.

When you compare companies, ask:

• Whether the carrier has current MoDOT household goods authority for an in-state move
• Whether the quote is binding or non-binding, and for how long it holds
• What the tariff rates include, and which accessorial charges (stairs, long carries, packing) could be added
• What valuation or liability options apply if something is lost or damaged
• Whether a bill of lading will be issued and signed before the truck is loaded

Do not sign a blank document. If the move later crosses a state line, federal Household Goods rules and ProtectYourMove.gov apply, and the price can change. A carrier that is legal for a local Missouri move may still need interstate authority for a move to another state.

What does authority mean for insurance and fitness?

To obtain intrastate authority, MoDOT describes a process that includes proof of insurance, a fee of $10 per vehicle in the application materials, satisfactory safety fitness, a vehicle list, and proof of financial fitness. Household goods carriers must prepare a tariff before starting operations, post it, and charge only the rates in the tariff in effect at the time of the move. Consumers do not have to master the tariff, but you can ask to see the rates that will apply to your shipment.

Authority is not a guarantee of a perfect move. It is the state's threshold for operating legally. Combine the official list with references, a written estimate, and a walk-through of the origin and destination.

If you cannot confirm authority, or the company will not discuss its tariff or bill of lading, pause and call Motor Carrier Services before you pay a deposit.

Compare at least two authorized carriers. A price that is far below the others can be a non-binding estimate, an incomplete inventory, or a company that is not actually authorized. Ask each mover for a written inventory or a cube or weight survey, the valuation options, and whether packing materials and stair or long-carry charges are in the rate or extra. If a deposit is required, get the amount, the refund rules, and the company's legal name in the estimate.

On moving day, protect jewelry, documents, and small high-value items yourself when you can, and walk the origin and destination with the crew. If the truck that arrives does not match the company you booked, stop and call Motor Carrier Services before the load leaves. A name on a website is not the same as the carrier on MoDOT's list.

FAQ

Who licenses household goods movers for moves inside Missouri?

MoDOT Motor Carrier Services issues the operating authority household goods carriers must have before operating in or between Missouri municipalities and in commercial zones.

Where can I see if a mover is authorized?

MoDOT publishes a downloadable list of authorized transporters of household goods on its Household Goods Transport page, and Motor Carrier Services can be reached at 1-866-831-6277 or 573-751-7100.

Does MoDOT authority cover a move out of state?

A move that crosses state lines is also subject to federal household goods rules. Confirm interstate authority and use ProtectYourMove.gov, in addition to any Missouri authority.

Should I hire a mover that is listed as suspended?

No. Use only a carrier shown as authorized on the current official list, and confirm the status if you have any doubt.

If you are planning an in-state move, check the official list, get a written estimate, and talk with a licensed local agent if the move is part of a home purchase or sale with tight possession dates.

Sources: Missouri Department of Transportation, Household Goods Transport; Missouri Department of Transportation, Missouri Operating Authority; ProtectYourMove.gov.

A household goods shipment that starts in Missouri and ends in another state, or the reverse, is an interstate move. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates that industry, and the official consumer site is ProtectYourMove.gov. Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) authority is the rule set for moves that stay inside Missouri.

Do not assume an in-state binding-estimate practice will control a multi-state contract.

How do you check an interstate mover?

Start with the company's USDOT number and the tools on ProtectYourMove.gov and FMCSA's site. Confirm that the carrier has active interstate authority to haul household goods, review complaint history, and read the federal "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" booklet the carrier should provide. A moving broker is not always the carrier that will send the truck. Ask for the name and USDOT number of the motor carrier that will operate the shipment, and check that company as well.

Get a written estimate after a physical survey of the goods whenever the federal rules call for one. Federal estimates come in binding and non-binding forms, with delivery and payment rules that differ from MoDOT's in-state consumer sheets. Read whether the price can change, when the mover may demand payment, and what happens if the shipment is delayed. Do not sign a blank estimate or a blank bill of lading.

Interstate carriers must issue a bill of lading. Sign it only after you understand the services, the dates, the valuation, and the charges. Valuation is often a major decision. A low released-value rate can pay only a small amount per pound if a piece is lost or destroyed. Higher declared-value options cost more and can come closer to replacement cost. Ask for the options in writing before loading day.

Photograph your goods, keep an inventory, and pack or supervise packing of high-value items. If the crew asks you to sign that everything was received in good condition before you have inspected the delivery, add exceptions for damage or shortage first.

How do Missouri and federal rules fit together?

If you hire a mover for a local Missouri job, MoDOT Motor Carrier Services operating authority and the carrier's Missouri tariff apply. If the same company later takes a load across a state line, federal household goods rules apply to that interstate shipment. A carrier may need both kinds of authority. Checking only a Missouri authorized-transporter list is not enough for a move to Illinois, Kansas, Arkansas, or any other state.

MoDOT remains a useful contact if part of the work was an in-state shipment or if you want to know whether a company also holds Missouri authority. For the interstate contract, file claims and complaints through the process in the federal bill of lading and through FMCSA and ProtectYourMove.gov.

New-resident duties are separate from the moving contract. After you arrive, Missouri generally gives you 30 days to title a vehicle you already own, and you must apply for a Missouri driver license as soon as you establish residency. A CDL must be transferred within 30 days. Put Missouri auto insurance in force when you become a resident.

If goods are damaged, a homeowners or renters policy sometimes offers limited off-premises coverage, subject to deductibles and exclusions. A licensed local agent can read that policy while you also file a timely claim with the mover. One path does not replace the other.

Ask whether you are hiring a carrier or a broker. A broker arranges the move but may not operate the truck. The federal consumer site is the place to check both names. Get a copy of "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move," which interstate household goods carriers are supposed to provide, and read the sections on estimates, deposits, and claims before you pay.

If the delivery window is wide, ask how the company will give notice before delivery and what it charges for storage if the truck arrives before you have keys. Those storage charges can add up after a delayed closing. Put the delivery address, any extra flights of stairs, and a reach number on the bill of lading so the crew is not guessing at the door.

FAQ

Who regulates a move from Missouri to another state?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates interstate household goods movers. ProtectYourMove.gov is the official consumer site.

Does MoDOT authority cover that interstate shipment?

MoDOT operating authority is required for household goods carriers that operate in or between Missouri municipalities and in commercial zones. A shipment that crosses a state line is also a federal move and should be checked through FMCSA tools.

What should I get before I book?

A written estimate, the carrier's USDOT number, the federal rights booklet, and a clear statement of valuation and payment terms. Do not sign blank documents.

What if something is damaged?

Note it on the delivery documents, photograph the damage, and file a written claim as the bill of lading requires. You may also use FMCSA complaint tools and, if applicable, your insurance policy.

If an interstate move is part of a job transfer or a home closing, talk with a licensed local agent about timing insurance, the lease or sale, and the moving contract so those dates do not collide.

Sources: ProtectYourMove.gov; Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; Missouri Department of Transportation, Household Goods Transport; Missouri Department of Revenue, Title and Registration Requirements for a New Missouri Resident.

For a household goods move inside Missouri, the price you pay should come from the carrier's tariff and from the type of estimate you accept. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) tells consumers there are two kinds of estimates, binding and non-binding, and that movers must issue a bill of lading.

A mover is not required to give a binding estimate, but MoDOT recommends one.

What is the difference between binding and non-binding?

MoDOT's official consumer sheet on determining the cost of a move states that a binding estimate is a contract that is good for 30 days. The mover must charge the actual cost of the move or the binding estimate, whichever is less. If you have unforeseen costs not covered in the binding estimate, such as extra stair-carrying charges, the mover may add those to the estimated costs.

A non-binding estimate, the same sheet says, is not a contract or a bid. It is a written statement of the estimated cost. It does not guarantee the cost of the move, and the actual cost could be much higher. MoDOT's tips on choosing a mover repeat that point: do not believe that any phone or written estimate will be the actual cost unless you have a binding estimate.

Neither type of estimate remains valid if you change the date, the location, or the amount of goods. It is your responsibility, MoDOT says, to notify the mover so a new estimate can be written. If the move later crosses a state line, the cost can increase significantly, and federal rules apply.

If the move is based on the weight of your goods, you have the right to view the weighing at no cost. Coordinate that with the mover before moving day. MoDOT states that if you ask for a reweigh, it may cost up to $20.

Get written estimates from more than one authorized carrier after a visual survey of the goods when you can. Ask each company to state whether the estimate is binding, what is included, which accessorial charges could be added, and how long the figure holds. Compare those terms, not only the bottom line.

Why does the bill of lading matter?

MoDOT describes the bill of lading as part of your contract with the mover. Movers must issue one. Do not hire a mover without asking to see a sample and reading the terms. You should sign the bill of lading before the mover picks up your goods. It may not show the final cost if the shipment has not yet been weighed or the hours are not yet known, but it should list the mover's responsibilities, services, liability, and when and how the company charges. Those terms are often on the back of the form. Read them.

Do not sign a blank bill of lading or a blank estimate. MoDOT publishes a blank-document warning for that reason. If a charge appears that was not in a binding estimate and is not a disclosed unforeseen accessorial, ask the carrier to show the tariff item that supports it before you pay more than you expected.

Household goods carriers in Missouri must prepare a tariff, post it, and charge the rates in effect at the time of the move. You can ask to see the pages that apply to your shipment, including valuation options that set how much the mover is liable for if items are lost or damaged. Low declared value can leave you short after a serious loss. Ask about the higher-value options and any extra cost before loading day.

Keep an inventory. Photograph high-value items. If something is missing or damaged, note it on the delivery documents before the crew leaves, and follow up in writing.

If you add rooms, a piano, or a storage-unit stop after the estimate is signed, get a revised writing before the truck arrives. MoDOT is clear that changes in date, location, or amount of goods can void the original estimate. A verbal "we can throw that in" is difficult to enforce later.

Packing is often a separate charge from transportation. Ask whether you or the mover will pack, what the carton rates are, and who is responsible if an owner-packed box is crushed. Keep a copy of the signed binding estimate with the bill of lading so you can compare the final invoice to both documents. If a line item is new, ask which tariff item supports it before you pay.

FAQ

Are Missouri movers required to give a binding estimate?

No. MoDOT's consumer materials say movers are not required to give a binding estimate, but a binding estimate is recommended because it is a contract.

How long does a binding estimate last?

MoDOT's determining-the-cost guide states that a binding estimate is a contract that is good for 30 days.

Can the mover charge more than a binding estimate?

The mover must charge the actual cost or the binding estimate, whichever is less, but MoDOT notes that unforeseen costs not covered in the estimate, such as extra stair-carrying charges, may be added.

Do I have to sign a bill of lading?

Movers must issue a bill of lading. MoDOT says you should sign it before pickup and that you should not hire a mover without reading a sample.

If you are comparing written estimates for an in-state move, confirm MoDOT authority first, then talk with a licensed local agent if the move date has to match a house closing.

Sources: Missouri Department of Transportation, Household Goods Transport; MoDOT, Determining the Cost of Moving; MoDOT, Choosing a Reputable Mover.

If a household goods move inside Missouri goes wrong, start with the paperwork you signed and with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) Motor Carrier Services, which grants the operating authority those carriers must have. For a move that crossed a state line, add the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and ProtectYourMove.gov.

Do not wait until a claim deadline in the bill of lading has passed.

What should you do on delivery day?

Walk through the goods with the crew before they leave. Note missing or damaged items on the delivery receipt or inventory, in specific language, even if the mover asks you to sign first and file later. Photograph damaged pieces and the truck, and keep the bill of lading, the estimate, the inventory, and every receipt.

MoDOT tells consumers to read the bill of lading before loading, because that document lists liability and the carrier's duties. Valuation you chose at pickup often controls how much the mover must pay if an item is lost or broken. A low released value can result in a small per-pound payment. If you paid for a higher declared value, keep proof of that choice with the claim.

Send a written claim to the mover as the bill of lading and tariff require, by a method that gives you a delivery record. Include dates, the authority or USDOT number, a room-by-room list, and copies of estimates for repair or replacement. Keep the originals.

If the carrier never had Missouri authority, will not produce a tariff or bill of lading, asked you to sign a blank form, or is holding your goods over a price dispute, contact Motor Carrier Services promptly. MoDOT's consumer materials warn against unlicensed movers and blank documents, and they remind you that a non-binding estimate is not a guaranteed price. A binding estimate, when you have one, is a contract with the limits described in MoDOT's cost guide.

Motor Carrier Services is at 830 MoDOT Drive, P.O. Box 270, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Call 1-866-831-6277 or 573-751-7100, or email contactmcs@modot.mo.gov. Ask whether the carrier is on the current authorized-transporter list and how to file a regulatory complaint. MoDOT's main line is 1-888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636).

If the conduct looks like fraud, a bait-and-switch, or a refusal to deliver household goods until you pay an amount you never agreed to, you can also file a consumer complaint with the Missouri Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section, which enforces the Merchandising Practices Act. Keep MoDOT in the loop, because authority and tariff issues belong there.

What if the move was interstate?

A shipment that starts in one state and ends in another is a federal household goods move. FMCSA, not only MoDOT, regulates that industry. Use the tools at ProtectYourMove.gov to look up the company, read your federal rights, and learn how to file a complaint. Federal rules on estimates, collect-on-delivery, and claims can differ from Missouri's intrastate tariff system. Do not assume a MoDOT binding-estimate rule will control a multi-state shipment.

If both an in-state segment and a later interstate shipment are involved, say so clearly in every complaint so each agency can see its piece of the work.

Lost or damaged goods may also be covered in part by a moving insurance add-on or by a homeowners or renters policy, depending on the form. Those policies have their own notice duties. A licensed local agent can help you read that coverage without delaying the claim on the mover.

Calendar the claim deadline the same day you take delivery. Bills of lading often give a limited time to file, and a late claim can be denied even when the damage is obvious. If the mover acknowledges the claim, keep every follow-up in writing. If the company stops responding, the MoDOT complaint and, when the facts support it, an Attorney General complaint can run in parallel with the contractual claim.

Do not rely only on a social media post or a review site. Those may help other consumers, but they do not start a regulatory file or satisfy a bill-of-lading deadline. Send the same facts, with your phone number and the shipment dates, to the carrier and to Motor Carrier Services. Ask the carrier for a written acknowledgment of the claim and a claim number.

FAQ

Who regulates household goods movers for moves inside Missouri?

MoDOT Motor Carrier Services issues operating authority and is the state contact for questions about authorized carriers, tariffs, and in-state moves.

What number should I call?

Motor Carrier Services lists 1-866-831-6277 and 573-751-7100, and the email contactmcs@modot.mo.gov. MoDOT's general line is 1-888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636).

What if my goods are being held until I pay more than the estimate?

Contact Motor Carrier Services immediately, keep a written record, and consider an Attorney General consumer complaint if the conduct appears deceptive. For an interstate move, also use ProtectYourMove.gov and FMCSA.

Do I still need to file a claim with the mover?

Yes. Regulatory complaints do not replace the claim process in the bill of lading. Note damage at delivery and follow the written claim instructions on time.

If a moving claim is open and you are also changing insurance or a lease, talk with a licensed local agent so those policies and the mover's liability are not left uncoordinated.

Sources: Missouri Department of Transportation, Household Goods Transport; MoDOT Motor Carrier Services contacts on the Household Goods page; ProtectYourMove.gov; Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; Missouri Attorney General, Consumer Protection.

If you move to Missouri with a vehicle you already own, the Department of Revenue gives you 30 days from the date you become a Missouri resident to title that vehicle. A Missouri driver license is required as soon as you establish residency. Those two clocks are not the same.

Commercial driver license (CDL) holders must transfer the CDL within 30 days of the transfer of residency.

What is required to title and register?

The Department of Revenue's official "Title and Registration Requirements for a New Missouri Resident" document states, in a highlighted note, that you have 30 days from the date of becoming a Missouri resident to title your vehicle. A Missouri registration cannot be renewed until a Missouri title has been issued in your name.

Required items on that document include:

• A completed Application for Missouri Title and License (Form 108), signed by the owner, if you apply by mail
• The current ownership document, usually the original out-of-state title, or, if a lienholder will not release it, the completed Owner Out-of-State Title Request (Form 5834) plus one of the listed substitutes
• A Vehicle Identification Number and odometer inspection completed by an authorized Missouri inspection station (a copy is not acceptable). A Missouri safety inspection will satisfy this requirement
• Proof of personal property tax compliance: a paid personal property tax receipt for the previous year from your county of residence (or the City of St. Louis), or a statement of non-assessment
• A current insurance identification card or other proof of financial responsibility
• A Missouri safety inspection, not more than 60 days old, if applicable
• A Missouri emissions inspection, not more than 60 days old, if you reside in St. Louis City or in Jefferson, St. Charles, or St. Louis County, if applicable

Safety-inspection exemptions on the same document include any motor vehicle within the first ten years following the model year of manufacture that has less than 150,000 miles, and a one-year registration when an even-model-year vehicle is registered in an odd calendar year, or an odd-model-year vehicle in an even calendar year, with a safety inspection due at the next renewal if the vehicle is not otherwise exempt.

You will pay a $17.50 title and processing fee, plus the appropriate registration and processing fees. Apply in person at a Missouri license office or by mail to Motor Vehicle Bureau, P.O. Box 100, Jefferson City, MO 65105-0100. Plates may be renewed up to six months before expiration and must be renewed by the last day of the expiration month.

Missouri-approved liability insurance must already meet the state's 25/50/25 minimums and the required uninsured motorist limits when you register. Keep proof in the vehicle.

When must you get a Missouri driver license?

The Department of Revenue's driver license FAQ states that as soon as you establish residency in Missouri, you must apply and pay for a Missouri driver license at a license office. If you surrender a valid current license, or one expired 184 days or less, from another U.S. state, Missouri may waive the skills and written tests. All applicants must pass the Missouri road-sign recognition and vision tests.

The FAQ does not give a 30- or 60-day grace period for a regular license the way it does for titling a vehicle or transferring a CDL. CDL holders must transfer within 30 days of the transfer of residency. Do not wait on a regular license once you live here.

Gather identity, Social Security, and residency documents from the Department's official list before you visit a license office. You may hold only one valid credential.

Once you are a resident, a lapse in auto insurance can lead to Department of Revenue penalties, including points, suspension, and reinstatement fees. Put Missouri coverage in force when you establish residency, not only on the day you visit the license office.

If a lienholder holds the out-of-state title, the official new-resident document walks through Form 5834 and the substitutes the lienholder can provide. Start that request early, because a delayed title can affect your ability to register or later renew plates. If you and the vehicle are out of state at titling, the document allows a notarized General Affidavit (Form 768) plus an inspection in the state where the vehicle is located, with a special verification option for military members.

Active-duty military members who do not claim Missouri as their state of residence submit a recent Leave and Earnings Statement showing their state of residence instead of a Missouri non-assessment statement, according to the same document.

FAQ

How long do I have to title a vehicle after I move to Missouri?

The Department of Revenue's new-resident title document says you have 30 days from the date of becoming a Missouri resident to title your vehicle.

When do I need a Missouri driver license?

The Department's driver license FAQ says you must apply and pay for a Missouri driver license as soon as you establish residency. CDL holders must transfer a commercial license within 30 days.

Do I need a safety inspection?

A VIN and odometer inspection is required, and a Missouri safety inspection satisfies that requirement. A separate safety inspection, not more than 60 days old, is required unless an exemption on the official new-resident document applies.

Who needs an emissions inspection?

The new-resident document requires a Missouri emissions inspection, not more than 60 days old, if you reside in St. Louis City or in Jefferson, St. Charles, or St. Louis County, if applicable.

If you are timing a move, a closing, and a license-office visit, talk with a licensed local agent about Missouri auto insurance so coverage is in force when you title the vehicle.

Sources: Missouri Department of Revenue, Title and Registration Requirements for a New Missouri Resident; Missouri Department of Revenue, Driver License FAQs; Missouri Department of Revenue, Insurance Information.

Missouri law caps a residential security deposit at two months' rent. After the tenancy ends, the landlord has 30 days to return the full deposit or to send a written itemized list of damages and any remaining balance. Those rules are in section 535.300, RSMo, which is effective as amended August 28, 2018.

A pet deposit is defined separately and is not included in the term "security deposit" in that section.

What are the cap, the bank account, and the 30-day deadline?

Section 535.300.1 says a landlord may not demand or receive a security deposit in excess of two months' rent. All security deposits must be held for the tenant in a bank, credit union, or depository institution insured by a federal agency. Interest earned on the deposit belongs to the landlord. A housing authority created under section 99.040, or any other government entity acting as a landlord, is not subject to that deposit-account subsection.

Within 30 days after the date the tenancy terminates, the landlord must either return the full amount of the security deposit or furnish a written itemized list of the damages for which all or part of the deposit is withheld, along with the balance. Mailing that statement and any payment to the tenant's last known address is enough to comply with the deadline, the statute says.

The landlord may withhold only amounts reasonably necessary:

• To remedy a default in rent due under the rental agreement
• To restore the dwelling to its condition at the start of the tenancy, ordinary wear and tear excepted. The parties may agree in the rental agreement on carpet-cleaning amounts or fees, and amounts actually spent on carpet cleaning may be withheld if the agreement also notifies the tenant that the tenant may be liable for actual carpet-cleaning costs that exceed ordinary wear and tear, which may also be withheld. Within 30 days of the end of the tenancy, the landlord must give the tenant a receipt for the actual carpet-cleaning costs
• To compensate the landlord for actual damages from the tenant's failure to give adequate notice to end the tenancy, if the landlord makes reasonable efforts to mitigate those damages

The landlord must give the tenant or a representative reasonable written notice, at the last known address or in person, of the date and time of the post-tenancy inspection, and the inspection must be held at a reasonable time. The tenant has the right to be present at that inspection.

If the landlord wrongfully withholds all or any portion of the deposit in violation of the section, the tenant shall recover as damages twice the amount wrongfully withheld. The statute does not limit the landlord's right to recover actual damages above the deposit, and a tenant may not treat the deposit as rent. A Missouri appellate note in the official statute annotations says the double-recovery provision does not apply to tenants of commercial property.

"Security deposit" means any deposit of money or property, however named, that a tenant furnishes to secure performance of the rental agreement, including damages to the unit. It does not include money or property denominated as a deposit for a pet.

What should you do when you move in or out?

Photograph the unit at move-in and move-out, keep the lease, and give a forwarding address in writing so the 30-day mailing rule works in your favor. Attend the inspection if you can. If an itemized list arrives, compare it with your photos and the wear-and-tear rule, including any carpet-cleaning clause you signed.

If the deposit does not arrive within 30 days and you receive no itemized statement, or the withholdings look unfounded, write the landlord and, if needed, consider small-claims court or legal aid. The Missouri Attorney General's consumer pages discuss landlord-tenant issues and take Merchandising Practices complaints, but a deposit lawsuit is often a private claim under section 535.300.

Local ordinances can add tenant protections. Check the city or county as well as the state statute.

Give the landlord a written forwarding address before you leave, and keep a copy. Because the statute lets the landlord comply by mailing the statement and any check to the last known address, a missing forwarding address can delay a refund you are owed. Ordinary wear and tear, such as small nail holes or worn carpet from normal use, is not the same as damage you caused. If a carpet-cleaning clause is in the lease, read it before you hire a cleaner, and keep the receipt, because the landlord must provide a receipt for actual carpet-cleaning costs within 30 days.

Interest on the deposit, if any is earned, belongs to the landlord under the statute. Do not expect an interest check unless a local ordinance or the lease says otherwise.

FAQ

How large can a Missouri security deposit be?

Section 535.300 says a landlord may not demand or receive a security deposit in excess of two months' rent. A pet deposit is defined separately.

When must the deposit be returned?

Within 30 days after the tenancy ends, the landlord must return the full deposit or send a written itemized list of damages and any remaining balance, mailed to the tenant's last known address.

Can I attend the move-out inspection?

Yes. The landlord must give reasonable notice of the inspection time, and the tenant has the right to be present.

What if the landlord wrongfully keeps the deposit?

The tenant may recover twice the amount wrongfully withheld, as the statute provides.

If you are moving into or out of a Missouri rental, talk with a licensed local agent about timing the move, and keep the deposit rules in section 535.300 in your file with the lease and photos.

Sources: Revised Statutes of Missouri, section 535.300; Missouri Attorney General, Consumer Protection.