What are the laws governing the return of a security deposit after a tenant moves out?

In Missouri, the laws surrounding the return of a security deposit after a tenant moves out are outlined in Chapter 535.300 of the Missouri Revised Statutes. According to the law, a landlord must return the security deposit within thirty days of the tenant’s move-out date. During this time, the landlord may deduct any damages that occurred to the residence due to the tenant’s negligence. If the landlord does not plan on making any deductions, they must return the full security deposit within the 30-day period. The landlord is also required to inform the tenant of the use of their security deposit. This means that the landlord must provide an itemized list of any deductions taken from the deposit. The list should include a breakdown of the cost of any damages, as well as the amount of the security deposit that was withheld. If the landlord fails to provide this information within the thirty days, they may be guilty of violating the statute and the tenant may be able to recover up to triple the amount of their security deposit. Furthermore, the tenant is also entitled to receive interest on the security deposit that was withheld. The interest rate for the security deposit will vary by year and will be based on the rate established by the Director of the Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions, and Professional Registration. As long as the landlord follows the law, the tenant will receive their security deposit, minus any damages, within the thirty-day period, as well as any interest accrued on the amount.

What are the laws governing the return of a security deposit after a tenant moves out?

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