Free Missouri Residential Lease Agreement

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Table of Contents:

What is a Missouri Standard Lease Agreement
Types of Missouri Lease Agreements
Disclosures for Missouri Lease Agreements
Missouri Lease Agreement Laws
Missouri Residential Lease Agreement Sample
Related Documents
FAQs About Missouri Lease Agreement

What is a Missouri Standard Lease Agreement

A standard lease agreement is a legally binding contract between a landlord and a tenant. This is written to conform to state laws where the property is located. In Missouri these allow both parties to comply with a series of set terms for a specified number of months or years.

Rental contracts and lease agreements have a lot of similarities as they both set out payment plans and the terms of use for a house or apartment. However, the big difference is the duration that they cover. Rental agreements usually only cover short-term tenancies of a few months at a time or month-to-month contracts.

A lease agreement should contain the following details:

How long the tenant may legally reside in the property
How much rent should be paid
Information about the security deposits necessary
When rental installments are due
Any additional costs that must be serviced by the tenant
The rules regarding the proper use of the property
Situations that constitute lease violation eviction procedures

Types of Missouri Lease Agreements

There are many types of Missouri lease agreement forms that can be used to manage and legally bind many different types of rental situations. They allow landlords to rent out various types of property they might have and for tenants to find the best kind of tenancy for their needs.

The most common types of lease agreements in Missouri include:

Standard residential lease agreements: Under a standard lease agreement both the landlord and tenant commit to a fixed set of terms that last for a series of months or years.
Lease-to-own agreements: Lease agreements with lease-to-own options are designed for tenants that wish to buy the property they are renting. This requires them to pay a sum of money each month, in addition to rent, to cover the costs of the principal.
Month-to-month rental agreements: Month-to-month lease agreements will often have similar basic terms to standard residential lease contracts. However, they differ as they can be renewed or ended on a month-by-month basis. Their terms may also be flexibly altered each month.
Commercial lease agreements: Commercial leases are provided by landlords of retail property to tenants that intend to use the real estate to run a business.
Room rental agreements: In rental properties with shared living areas a room rental agreement can be used to rent a singular bedroom.
Sublease Agreement: A/an Missouri sublease agreement allows tenants to reassign or ‘sublease’ the property to another individual. This requires the property landlord’s permission and must be specifically allowed in the original lease.

Disclosures for Missouri Lease Agreements

Missouri lease agreements must contain a few disclosures and addendums when they are completed and signed. This is to properly inform the tenant of any health risks or potential issues with the property or details about how the property is managed that they must be aware of.

These essential addendums include the following:

Agent/owner identification: The lease agreement must include a section or an addendum that discloses the contact information of the landlord or a chosen agent who will act on their behalf.
Methamphetamine contamination disclosure: Necessary for properties where the landlord knows or suspects the use, storage, or production of methamphetamine has taken place.
Lead paint disclosure: If the rental unit is in a building constructed before 1978, the landlord or their agent must disclose whether lead paint can be found on the property and must provide safety information for any located on the premises.

Missouri Lease Agreement Laws

A Missouri lease agreement must be written and signed within the laws of Missouri state, otherwise, it will be legally contestable and can be declared invalid and block either party from recourse if a violation is committed. These will police how you start and end the contract and control what procedures you can reasonably ask a tenant to follow.

The most important laws to consider when you are renting a property in Missouri include:

Security deposits: Missouri landlords may charge no more than two months’ rent if the property is a non-rent control unit. This must be returned to the tenant within 30 days of vacating the property and returning the keys. Landlords must also give advance notice of any deductions.
Landlord’s right to enter: Landlords can enter the rental property without having to give any prior notice. However, common courtesy is for landlords to give a 24 hours notice prior to entering the unit.
Further contact details: If the property is managed by anyone other than the landlord, tenants must be provided with their contact details so communications to the landlord can be properly handled.

Check the Missouri landlord-tenant handbook to learn more about the rights and responsibilities of both parties during a lease agreement.

Missouri Residential Lease Agreement Sample

Before beginning the process of creating a residential lease agreement in Missouri it is sensible to review an example document first. Use our MO lease agreement sample below to find out more about the structure and contents of a fully-fledged rental contract.

Residential Lease Agreement Missouri Sample

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FAQs About Missouri Lease Agreement

It is important to carefully prepare a Missouri lease agreement to suit the needs of the landlord and tenant exactly. To help demystify the process a little simply review our FAQs below to learn more about the specificities of rental contracts in Missouri. For more detailed information on landlord and tenant laws within MO, you can check the official statutes of Missouri.

How to Get a Lease Agreement in Missouri?

It is possible to create a Missouri lease agreement completely online. Using our residential lease agreement maker you can tailor your document for your specific needs and take advantage of professional templates and expert tips.

How to Write an MO Lease Termination Letter?

If either the landlord or tenant for any reason needs to terminate an MO lease agreement early, they must provide the correct amount of notice in a written Missouri lease termination letter.

This letter needs to contain the following information:

The name of the landlord and the tenant
The date the letter has been written and signed
The name and address of the property in question
Information explaining why the tenancy needs to be terminated early
The reason the lease is being broken
The date that the resident will vacate the property
Acknowledgment of any penalties that will be incurred
Signature of the signing party

Can a Lease Be Negotiated in Missouri?

Yes, a Missouri residential lease agreement can be negotiated before it is signed. The landlord and tenant will usually discuss the terms before the agreement is put into action. However, once a lease agreement is signed it cannot be altered until it comes to its natural end or is canceled.

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Preview of your Missouri Residential Lease Agreement

MISSOURI
RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT

This Lease Agreement (hereinafter, the "Lease Agreement") is dated as of _________ (hereinafter, the "Effective Date") and is entered into by and between _________ (hereinafter, the "Landlord") and the following residents:
_________
(hereinafter, the "Tenant(s)").

The Landlord and the Tenant(s) agree as follows:

1. PROPERTY

The Landlord rents to the Tenant(s) and the Tenant(s) rents from the Landlord a certain real property and improvements described below, according to the terms and conditions described in this Lease Agreement.

A house located at _________, _________, Missouri, _________ (hereinafter, the "Property").

Unless otherwise indicated in the Lease Agreement, no other portion of the Building (hereinafter, the "Building") wherein the Property is located is included in the Lease Agreement.

2. TERM

The term of this Lease Agreement begins on _________ (hereinafter, the "Commencement Date") and shall terminate on _________ (hereinafter, the "Termination Date").

The Tenant(s) shall vacate the Property upon termination of the Lease Agreement, unless:

(i) The Landlord and the Tenant(s) have, in writing, extended this agreement or signed a new agreement.

(ii) The Landlord accepts Rent from the Tenant(s) (other than past due Rent), in which case a month-to-month tenancy shall be created which either party may terminate.

In this case, either party may terminate the tenancy by giving written notice at least sixty 60 days prior to the intended Termination Date. Such notices may be given on any date. Rent shall be at a rate agreed to by the Landlord and the Tenant(s), or as allowed by law. All other terms and conditions of this Lease Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

3. MANAGEMENT

The Tenant(s) is hereby notified that the Owner or Landlord _________ is the Property Manager in charge of repairs or maintenance of the Property.

If the Tenant(s) has any complaint regarding any issue about the Property, _________ shall be contacted by one of the following methods:

Address: _________
Telephone: _________
Email: _________

4. RENT

The Tenant(s) shall pay the Landlord monthly Rent in the amount of $_________ (hereinafter, the "Rent") for each full month during this lease.

The full month's Rent is due and payable not later than the _________ day of each month lease period.

The Landlord shall not increase the Rent during the term of a lease. However, the Landlord may increase the Rent by giving at least a 30 days written notice to the Tenant(s). The Rent increase shall not be effective until 30 days from the next date Rent is due.

Please Take Notice that mail delays will not excuse the Tenant(s)'s obligation to pay the Rent in a timely manner.

Place of Payment:

The Tenant(s) shall remit all Rent payment amounts owed to the Landlord under this Lease Agreement to the following address:

_________

The Landlord may change the person and place to which the Tenant(s) must remit the rental amounts due under this Lease Agreement.

Please Take Notice that you must place the Property address and the Tenant(s)'s name on all payments.

Method of Payment:

The Tenant(s) shall pay all Rent by selecting any of the following forms of payment (select one or more):

If the Landlord agrees that the Tenant(s) shall have the right to sublet the Property or any part thereof, or if the Property is leased under any form of multiple or joint tenancies, the Tenant(s) shall be responsible for collecting the lease payment from the sublessee(s) or joint lessee and submitting it to the Landlord in a single and complete payment.

Moreover, the Tenant(s) shall be responsible for any lease payment not received by the Landlord by the due date stated in the present Lease Agreement. All partial payments made for an incomplete monthly period shall be prorated at the rate of 1/30th of the monthly lease payment per day.

Lastly, the Landlord shall have the option to accept or reject payments made by third parties, but such acceptance or rejection of payment shall not imply a future obligation to accept or reject payments submitted by third parties.

5. OCCUPANTS

During the term of this Lease Agreement, the only individuals the Tenant(s) may permit residing on the Property are the following:

_________

6. MAINTENANCE

The Landlord shall maintain the Property at all times and perform all repairs reasonably necessary. The primary duty of the Landlord shall be to meet the implied warranty of habitability of the Property, that is, that the Property is in a fit, livable condition.

Additionally, during the term of this Lease Agreement and any renewal thereof, the Tenant(s) shall:

(1) Keep the Property clean and safe, use all electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning facilities and appliances in a reasonable manner.

(2) Repair any damage arising from the act or negligence of Tenant, Occupant, or guests, agents, visitors, and invitees, at tenant's expense.

(3) Surrender the Property in as good order and condition as when received, reasonable wear and tear excepted, upon the termination of this Lease Agreement.

(4) Immediately notify the Landlord, in writing, of any problem, malfunction or damage; otherwise, the Tenant(s) will be liable for the costs of any such damage, which might have been avoided had the Tenant promptly notified the Landlord of the defect.

7. REPAIRS

All requests for repairs must be in writing and delivered to the Landlord.

The Tenant(s) may notify the Landlord of the Tenant(s)'s intention to repair a condition on the residential premises if such condition detrimentally affects the habitability, sanitation, or security of the premises, and the condition constitutes a violation of a local municipal housing or building code, and the reasonable cost to correct the condition does not exceed one month's rent.

Under Missouri Revised Statutes § 441.234(2), the Landlord must correct the condition within (14) days after being notified by the Tenant(s) in writing or as promptly as required in case of an emergency. If the Landlord does not comply, the Tenant(s) may cause the work to be done after submitting to the Landlord an itemized statement, including receipts, detailing the costs of the repair and the deduction from the rent for the actual cost of the work. However, the costs should never exceed the amount specified in the preceding paragraph.

The Landlord does not have a duty to repair or remedy a condition if:

(1) The Tenant(s) is delinquent in Rent at the time a repair notice is given to the Landlord.

(2) The condition was caused by the Tenant(s), a member of the Tenant(s)'s family, or a guest of the Tenant(s) unless the condition was caused by normal wear and tear.

8. UTILITIES AND SERVICES

The Tenant(s) shall be solely responsible for and shall pay expenses for all utilities and services used or consumed at the Property.

9. ALTERATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS

The Tenant(s) shall not make any alterations, additions, redecorations, or any sort of improvements on the leased Property without the Landlord's prior written consent. All additions, alterations, fixtures, or improvements made by the Tenant(s), except movable household furniture, shall become the Landlord's property and remain on the Property and shall be surrendered with the leased premises at the termination of this Lease Agreement.

10. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

The Tenant(s) shall not keep or have on the Property any article or item of a dangerous, flammable, or explosive material on the Property that might unreasonably increase the danger of fire or explosion on the Property or that might be considered hazardous or extra hazardous by any responsible insurance company.

11. LANDLORD ACCESS TO PROPERTY

The Landlord and the Landlord's agents shall have the right at all reasonable times, and by all reasonable means during the term of this Lease Agreement and any renewal thereof, to enter the Property for the following purposes:

(i) Survey the Property's condition and take photographs to document the condition.

(ii) Make repairs or improvements to the Property.

(iii) Supply agreed services.

(iv) Show the Property to prospective buyers or tenants.

(v) Exercise a contractual or statutory lien.

(vi) Leave a written notice.

(vii) Seize nonexempt property if the Tenant(s) is in default.

Except in case of emergency, the Landlord will give the Tenant(s) reasonable notice of intent to enter. For these purposes, twenty-four (24) hour written notice will be deemed reasonable.

12. ASSIGNMENT/SUBLETTING

The Tenant(s) shall not voluntarily or involuntarily assign, mortgage, encumber or hypothecate this Lease or any interest herein or sublet the Property or any part thereof.

The Tenant(s) is specifically prohibited from offering all or part of the Property for short-term rentals such as through Airbnb, VRBO, or other such sites or programs. Any advertising or online postings, as well as actual rentals of the Property to vacation or short-term guests, shall constitute a material breach of this Lease Agreement.

Any person who is not a Tenant who occupies any portion of the Property, for any period of time whatsoever, for any compensation or consideration whatsoever (including, without limitation, the payment of money and/or trade and/or barter of other goods, services, or property occupancy rights) is NOT a guest, and such occupancy constitutes unauthorized subletting or assignment which is a substantial and material breach of this Lease Agreement.

13. NOTICES

Notice required by statute will be given in accordance with the applicable statute. All other notices shall be deemed sufficient if made as follows:

- All notices to the Landlord shall be directed by personal delivery or first-class mail to the Landlord at the appropriate address set forth below, until the Tenant(s) is notified, in writing, to the contrary.

- All notices to the Tenant(s) shall be directed by personal delivery or first-class mail to Tenant at the Leased Property or any forwarding address provided in writing by the Tenant(s) to the Landlord.

- The addresses set forth below may be changed by the Parties by giving notice as set forth herein.

Landlord:

_________
_________

Tenant:

_________
_________, _________, Missouri _________

Such addresses may be changed from time to time by any party by providing notice as set forth above.

14. GOVERNING LAW

This Lease Agreement shall be governed, construed, and interpreted by the Laws of the State of Missouri.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Landlord and Tenant(s) have executed this Lease Agreement in the manner prescribed by law as of the Effective Date.

Landlord:

By: ___________________________________ Date: __________________
_________
_________

Tenant:

By: ___________________________________ Date: __________________
_________

Missouri Lease Agreement
Inspection Checklist

Address: _________, _________, Missouri _________

The Tenant(s) has inspected the Property and states that the Property is in satisfactory condition, free of defects, except as noted below:

	SATISFACTORY	COMMENTS
Bathrooms	_________	_________________________
Carpeting	_________	_________________________
Ceilings	_________	_________________________
Closets	_________	_________________________
Countertops	_________	_________________________
Dishwasher	_________	_________________________
Disposal	_________	_________________________
Doors	_________	_________________________
Fireplace	_________	_________________________
Lights	_________	_________________________
Locks	_________	_________________________
Refrigerator	_________	_________________________
Screens	_________	_________________________
Stove	_________	_________________________
Walls	_________	_________________________
Windows	_________	_________________________
Window coverings	_________	_________________________
_________	_________	_________________________
_________	_________	_________________________

_____________________

Date