In Missouri, landlords must obtain a court order to evict tenants, and “self-help” evictions are prohibited. If illegally locked out, tenants have the right to seek assistance, regain access through a locksmith, and pursue legal action for damages.

When a tenant abandons a rental property, the landlord must follow specific steps before taking action. They must post a notice stating the belief of abandonment. If the tenant doesn’t respond within the given time and is significantly behind on rent, the landlord can enter the unit and remove belongings. The tenant can prevent this by paying rent or responding within 10 days to confirm their occupancy.