General Obligations of Landlords and Tenants

Missouri Attorney Generasl's Office, Jul 16, 2007

Landlord-tenant disputes are a common occurrence in the renting process, and many could be avoided if both parties were aware of their rights and responsibilities.
General obligations of tenants

Tenants should: 

•  Pay rent on time.
•  Use reasonable care and not damage property.
•  Properly dispose of garbage.
•  Refrain from taking on additional occupants or subleasing without the landlord's written permission.

General obligations of landlords

Landlords should: 

•  Make property habitable before tenants move in.
•  Make and pay for repairs due to ordinary wear and tear.
•  Refrain from turning off a tenant's water, electricity or gas.
•  Provide written notice to tenants when ownership of the property is transferred to a new landlord.
•  Not unlawfully discriminate.
• Put it in writing
  

The best way to avoid later problems is to address issues in a lease. Put it in writing who has to mow the lawn, fix a clogged sink or pay the utility bills.
 
1997 Landlord-Tenant law provisions

Laws approved in 1997 offer greater protection for tenants renting from unresponsive landlords as well as more options for landlords to get rid of drug dealers and destructive tenants. Among the provisions:  

•  Authorizes county courts to order quick removal of tenants involved in drug-related criminal activity or violence, even when there is no arrest. Prior written notice is not required to remove a tenant.
•  Allows landlords to remove abandoned personal items once they have complied with notice requirements.
•  Makes a landlord guilty of forcible entry for willfully interrupting utility service, unless it is done for health and safety reasons.
•  Allows a landlord to double the rent when a tenant lets another person take over the premises without the landlord's permission.
•  Limits occupancy to two persons per bedroom except for children born during the lease period.
•  Allows a tenant, under certain circumstances and after giving a landlord 14 days' notice, to deduct one-half month's rent or up to $300 (whichever is greater) for repair of code violations when a landlord neglects property. This can be done once a year.
•  Requires a landlord to give 60 days' notice before terminating leases for mobile home lots when the lease is for less than one year.