Most residential landlords require tenants to pay a security deposit to cover any repairs needed when the tenant moves out, or to cover the tenant’s failure to pay the last month's rent.

Laws vary from state to state, but many states have statutes that provide the maximum amount of security deposit a landlord may require for a residential lease and the costs for which the landlord may use the security deposit (cleaning, repairs, unpaid rent) following termination of the lease.

These laws also provide a specific deadline (often 30-60 days) for the landlord to return the tenant’s security deposit following termination of the lease—after deducting any amount properly withheld, as allowed by law.

In Missouri, landlords can require tenants to pay a security deposit, which is typically used to cover any necessary repairs after the tenant moves out or to compensate for unpaid rent. Missouri law does not specify a maximum limit for security deposits for residential leases, which means landlords can set the amount at their discretion. However, landlords are required to return the security deposit within 30 days after the tenant has vacated the premises. The landlord must provide the tenant with an itemized list of damages for which any portion of the deposit is kept. If the landlord fails to comply with this requirement, the tenant may be entitled to recover twice the amount wrongfully withheld. It's important for both landlords and tenants to document the condition of the rental unit at move-in and move-out to support any deductions from the security deposit for cleaning, repairs, or unpaid rent.