Most Commonly Used Missouri Lease Agreements
The most commonly used Missouri lease agreements include a standard residential lease agreement, a month-to-month lease agreement, a lease with an option to buy, a roommate agreement, a sublease agreement, and a commercial lease agreement.
The most commonly used Missouri lease agreements rely on the same basic provisions, but they also retain some different functionalities as well as some of their own specific wording. Here are a couple of examples.
- A roommate agreement is one type of a residential lease agreement. While it shares all of the same basic provisions, it also has additional information. It explains which areas are for the exclusive use of the tenant and which areas are considered communal and may be used by any of the occupants.
- A standard residential lease agreement is usually a fixed-term lease lasting for one year. When the term ends, it may automatically renew for another year or it may convert to a month-to-month lease. However, a standard residential lease with a one-year term may still have some similarities to a month-to-month lease. The most common similarity is that both may require a 30-day written notice to move out at the end of the agreement if the tenant or landlord does not plan to renew their agreement.
How to Write a Missouri Lease Agreement
A Missouri lease agreement must adhere to Missouri’s landlord-tenant laws otherwise they cannot be enforced. There are other laws that must also be considered. You’ll learn more about some of those laws under the sections related to disclosures and security deposits.
Because a lease agreement is a contract, it is important that you understand the terms before you sign it. You either need to read it carefully before you sign it or have it reviewed by an attorney.
A Missouri lease agreement should include the following information:
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Names of the Parties - This includes the landlord's full name or the property management company's legal business name and the legal name of the tenant(s).
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Property Address - This is the street address for the rental property. It includes the city, zip code, and, if there is one, the unit or lot number.
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Term Information - This is the type of lease agreement the parties agree to enter into. For example, a month-to-month lease or a fixed term. A fixed-term lease means that the parties agree that the tenant will hold possession of the space for a certain amount of time, usually one year. If it is a fixed lease, this section should include the date that the lease will end.
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Rental Amount - This includes the date that the lease will begin, the amount of the monthly rent, the day of the month that rent is due, and the address where the rent may be paid.
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Late Fee - This lists the amount of the fee that is due if the rent is not paid by a certain date.
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Security Deposit - This is the amount of money that must be paid in advance of the tenant taking control of the property. A security deposit is used to repair damages caused by the tenant.
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Initial Payment - This is the total amount of money that the tenant must pay to move into the unit. This includes the amount of the first month's rent, the security deposit, and the total of the two numbers added together.
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Occupants - This is the full name of each tenant even if they are a minor or are not signing the lease. This part of a Missouri residential lease agreement establishes who will reside in the residential unit. For commercial space leases, it designates those who have permission to use the space. If the presence of additional occupants changes the price of the rent, it should be included in this section.
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Utilities - This explains which utilities or services a tenant does not pay.
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Parking - This informs the tenant whether they will receive a parking space. If a parking space is reserved and if there is a designated spot, the spot should be listed in this section.
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Furnishings - This tells tenants what they are allowed to install (such as a washing machine or dishwasher) or what they may not install. If the tenant is not allowed to bring their own appliances, that should be designated in this section.
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Notices - This documents the names of both the landlord or property manager and tenant along with their mailing address. This contact information is used if the parties need to send out a notice to the other party.
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Eviction - This informs tenants how eviction would be carried out in the event of nonpayment or breach of other lease terms.
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Additional Terms - This section lists any other terms that the parties agreed to that haven't been included in any other section of the lease agreement.
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Signature and Date - The document should be signed and dated by all parties.
Which Disclosures Belong in a Missouri Lease Agreement?
The State of Missouri does not require disclosures for Missouri rental agreements except for the disclosure required by federal law for lead paint if the unit was built prior to 1978.
What You Need to Know About Missouri Lease Agreement Deposits
Under Missouri law, the maximum amount that can be charged for a security deposit is two month's rent. The security deposit must be returned within 30 days after the lease term ends.
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