Every landlord has some baseline responsibilities when it comes to maintaining their rental property, first and foremost being that the unit is fit for human habitation. Likewise, the tenant has specific obligations and responsibilities, beginning with paying rent when due. These obligations are outlined in the Missouri landlord tenant statutes. The specific obligations of the landlord to maintain the unit include the following:

Landlord's obligations

  • Landlord warrants that the premises is fit for human habitation.
  • Landlord must comply with all applicable building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety, and shall make all repairs and do whatever is necessary to keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition.
  • A defective condition which is caused by the misconduct of the tenant, a member of tenant’s household, a guest or invitee of tenant, or a person under tenant's direction or control does not constitute a breach of the landlord’s obligations.

Tenant's obligations

The tenant also has a series of obligations stipulated by law. Per Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.630, the tenant is responsible to pay all rents due when such rents become due and to exercise reasonable care with the premises. Below are some additional responsibilities of the tenant:

  • dispose of all rubbish and garbage and other organic waste which might provide food for rodents, in a clean and sanitary manner;
  • refrain from unreasonable use of electrical, heating, and plumbing fixtures;
  • meet all obligations lawfully imposed upon the occupants of dwelling units by the code enforcement agency or the community;
  • refrain from willfully or wantonly destroying, defacing, damaging, impairing or removing any part of the structure or dwelling unit or the facilities, equipment, or appurtenances thereof, and prohibit any other person on the premises with tenant’s permission from doing likewise;
  • under no circumstances take in additional occupants, sublease, rent or turn over the premises to any persons without landlord’s knowledge and consent.