Breaking a lease in Missouri

If you are the tenant

• Tenant or landlord: Either party may end a month-to-month tenancy by written notice stating that it ends on a periodic rent-paying date not less than one month after the notice is received (RSMo § 441.060.4(1)). The AG says the notice must cover a full rental period.

Written notice required: Yes. Notice must be in writing; oral notice is not valid (RSMo § 441.060; AG guide).

The Attorney General says a lease may be canceled early only if the landlord agrees; otherwise the tenant remains bound by the lease.

Landlord's duty to re-rent: No. Missouri appellate courts state the general rule that a landlord has no duty to re-rent after a tenant abandons; the landlord may leave the unit empty and collect rent, but if it retakes possession and tries to re-rent, its efforts must be reasonable (Brywood Ltd. Partners v. H.T.G., 866 S.W.2d 903 (Mo. App. 1993), a commercial lease).

Lease-break fees: No general statutory cap on lease-break fees; the lease controls. A tenant who ends a lease under the domestic-violence law can be charged a reasonable termination fee (RSMo § 441.920.6).

• Domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking (RSMo § 441.920)

  Missouri gives a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking an affirmative defense against rent claims for the period after the tenant vacates; the landlord may impose a reasonable termination fee.

  Proof:

  A statement to the landlord; if requested, a signed document from a victim-service provider or health/mental-health professional, or a police, court or agency record.

  What you still owe:

  Not liable for rent after moving out if the court finds the tenant was a victim (or in imminent danger) and gave notice and any requested documentation; the landlord may charge a reasonable termination fee.

• Military service (state law) (RSMo § 41.944)

  Active-duty armed forces members and Missouri National Guard members on full-time duty or technician status may end a residential lease for permanent change of station, temporary duty over 90 days at least 25 miles away, discharge/release, or orders to government quarters, with at least 15 days' written notice.

  Notice:

  15 days, in writing

  Proof:

  A copy of the official orders or a commanding officer's letter, before the termination date.

  What you still owe:

  Final rent is due through the termination date; full return of security and pet deposits if the lease was otherwise followed.

Military orders, every state: the federal SCRA lets servicemembers with orders (permanent change of station or deployment of 90+ days) end a lease with written notice and a copy of the orders. How the SCRA date is counted.

• A tenant who stays after the lease ends without a written agreement may be charged double rent (AG guide).
• Subleasing without the landlord's approval can let the landlord double the rent (AG guide).

• Write a Missouri notice to vacate
• Missouri security deposit law: getting your deposit back after you move

• RSMo § 441.060 Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• RSMo § 441.920 Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• RSMo § 41.944 Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• Missouri AG: Landlord-Tenant Law guide Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• Brywood Ltd. Partners v. H.T.G., Inc., 866 S.W.2d 903 (Mo. App. 1993) Retrieved October 13, 2026.

Laws change. This page was checked against the sources above on October 13, 2026. It is legal information, not legal advice; see our methodology.