Security Deposit Interest in Missouri: No State Requirement (2026)
Missouri does not require interest on security deposits - the statute expressly states that any interest earned on a security deposit is the prop… Calculator, statute citation, Last Verified date o
Quick answer
No — Missouri law does not require landlords to pay interest on security deposits. Missouri does not require interest on security deposits - the statute expressly states that any interest earned on a security deposit is the property of the landlord; deposits are capped at 2 months' rent with a 30-day return. The rule comes from Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300. State statute (official text) · 2026-10-28
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What Missouri law does — and does not — require
Missouri has no statewide statute requiring interest on security deposits. Missouri does not require interest on security deposits - the statute expressly states that any interest earned on a security deposit is the property of the landlord; deposits are capped at 2 months' rent with a 30-day return.
The statute that governs deposits in Missouri, Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300, covers how and when the deposit itself must be returned — it simply does not mandate interest on top.
How interest must be paid
Interest accrues as N/a - no tenant interest right exists. N/a - no interest payment obligation at any point.
Who the law applies to
All residential tenancies statewide; deposit capped at 2 months' rent; refund or itemized damages list due within 30 days after lease termination; wrongful withholding penalty = twice the amount withheld.
Cities in Missouri that require interest
No deposit-interest requirement found in Kansas City, MO (Ch. 50, Sec. 50-211 covers security deposits; no interest provision surfaced) or St. Louis (city ordinances mirror the state 2-month cap; no interest requirement surfaced).
States that do require deposit interest
Missouri has no statewide requirement. If you are moving or own rentals across state lines, these states do — each rate is the statutory value verified on the state page:
| State | Statutory rate |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 5% per annum, or the lesser amount of interest actually received from |
| Ohio | 5% per annum |
| Maryland | greater of 1.5%/year or U.S. Treasury 1-year yield curve rate (leases |
| Minnesota | 1% per annum |
| New York | Interest actually accrued/paid on the deposit in the interest-bearing |
The statute behind it
| Field | Value | | --- | --- | --- | | Citation | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300 | | Official text | revisor.mo.gov | | Last verified | 2026-10-28 |
Cross-checked against: Missouri Legal Services - Security Deposits (nonprofit legal services), Missouri Attorney General - Landlord-Tenant Law guide (official AG publication).
Statutes get amended. If you are relying on this page — for a move-out, a dispute, or a lease draft — click through to the official text and confirm the current wording.
FAQ
Does Missouri require landlords to pay interest on security deposits?
No. Missouri law does not mandate interest; whatever the lease says governs. No deposit-interest requirement found in Kansas City, MO (Ch. 50, Sec. 50-211 covers security deposits; no interest provision surfaced) or St. Louis (city ordinances mirror the state 2-month cap; no interest requirement surfaced).
How is deposit interest calculated in Missouri?
RSMo 535.300: 'Any interest earned on a security deposit shall be the property of the landlord.' (An old 1981-era interest-bearing provision was repealed; current law assigns any earned interest to the landlord.) The calculator at the top of this page reflects Missouri's rules where a numeric value exists.
When do I get the interest?
N/a - no interest payment obligation at any point.
Can my lease require the landlord to pay interest anyway?
Yes — a lease can always give you more than state law requires, never less. If your Missouri lease promises interest, that promise is enforceable as a contract even though no statute mandates it.
Independent second source · 2026-10-28Related guides
- All states: security deposit interest by state · rent increase rules by state
- Tools: deposit interest calculator · rent increase calculator
- Neighboring states: Illinois · Indiana
This page is information, not legal advice — see the full disclaimer.