Self-help evictions are illegal in Missouri. Changing locks, shutting off utilities, removing doors, or physically removing a Tenant without a court order are all illegal — regardless of what the Tenant has done. You must use the court process.

A self-help eviction is any landlord action designed to remove or force out a Tenant without going through the legal eviction process. Examples include:

Under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.233, a Landlord who commits a self-help eviction is liable to the Tenant for actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney's fees. Courts take this seriously.

If a Tenant refuses to leave, your only legal option is to file an Unlawful Detainer action in the Associate Circuit Court for the county where the property is located. Serve the proper notice, wait for the deadline, then file if the Tenant hasn't vacated.

See our guides on Evict a Tenant For Not Paying Rent, Evict a Tenant For Breaking Lease, and Evict a Month-to-Month Tenant for step-by-step instructions.

Even after obtaining a court judgment for possession, you must wait for the sheriff to perform the physical removal of the Tenant and their belongings. Attempting to do it yourself — even with a valid court order in hand — may still expose you to liability.

🚩 Only the sheriff can enforce a court-ordered eviction in Missouri. Do not attempt to remove the Tenant or their property yourself.

Self-Help Eviction Prohibition — Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.233

Unlawful Detainer — Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.010 et seq.

⚖️ Disclaimer — This article is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice or a legal opinion on any specific case or situation. It does not create an attorney-client relationship. We make no guarantees as to accuracy, completeness, or changes in the law.