Kansas City, Missouri Security Deposit: Which Rule Applies and Your Next Step
The Kansas City ordinance text reviewed here does not change the return deadline: Missouri law gives 30 days (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300). The city adds a deposit cap (Kansas City Code § 34-848.1(b)). Check whether the ordinance covers your rental, then enter your dates and deposit below for a state law calculation and a letter.
State law vs Kansas City ordinance
| Rule | Missouri state law | Kansas City ordinance |
|---|---|---|
| Return deadline | 30 calendar days after the date of termination of the tenancy. 30 calendar days after the end of the tenancy. when carpet-cleaning costs are withheld under a lease clause allowing carpet cleaning charges; landlord must provide a receipt for actual carpet cleaning costs within 30 days of end of tenancy. | No separate return deadline in the ordinance text reviewed here |
| Deposit cap | Not more than two months' rent. Pet deposits denominated as pet deposits are excluded from the 'security deposit' definition. | No owner shall require a security deposit or any deposit of money or property, however denominated, furnished to secure performance of any part of the rental agreement, including damages to a unit, that exceeds two months' rent charged for that residential unit. Such payment shall only be charged once. Applies to residential leases and rental agreements first entered into after the effective date of the ordinance. (Kansas City Code § 34-848.1(b)) |
| Who it covers | See state statute and conditions above | Residential leases and rental agreements in Kansas City, Missouri, first entered after the effective date of Ord. 190935 / § 34-848.1. |
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300 · Kansas City Code Sec. 34-848.1 - security-deposit limit for residential leases
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Details of the return rules
| When it applies | Deadline | Starts from |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit return | 30 days | after the date of termination of the tenancy |
Missouri return rule: 30 calendar days. Check the dates you entered above.
What Kansas City adds to your claim
- deposit cap: No owner shall require a security deposit or any deposit of money or property, however denominated, furnished to secure performance of any part of the rental agreement, including damages to a unit, that exceeds two months' rent charged for that residential unit. Such payment shall only be charged once. Applies to residential leases and rental agreements first entered into after the effective date of the ordinance. (Kansas City Code § 34-848.1(b))
County small claims courts
| County | Court and city | Limit | Filing fee | E-filing | Court link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson County | 16th Judicial Circuit Court - Small Claims, Kansas City and Independence | $5,000 (statewide small claims only) | County filing fee: $27.50 filing fee; service is extra | No | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
See the Jackson County county filing page
Statute says
For all residential leases and rental agreements first entered into after the effective date of this ordinance, no owner shall require a security deposit or any deposit of money or property, however denominated, which is furnished by a tenant to a property owner to secure the performance of any part of the rental agreement, including damages to a unit, that exceeds the amount of two months' rent charged to the tenant for that residential unit.
What this means
For residential leases first entered after the ordinance's effective date, Kansas City bars a security deposit (however named) larger than two months' rent, charged only once. The city section does not add a local return clock, interest, or itemization duty.
Source accessed: .
FAQ
Does Kansas City set a separate deposit return deadline?
The ordinance text reviewed here sets no separate return deadline. See the Missouri deadline and its conditions above.
What else does the Kansas City ordinance require?
For residential leases first entered after the ordinance's effective date, Kansas City bars a security deposit (however named) larger than two months' rent, charged only once. The city section does not add a local return clock, interest, or itemization duty.
Does the ordinance cover my rental?
Residential leases and rental agreements in Kansas City, Missouri, first entered after the effective date of Ord. 190935 / § 34-848.1.
What's next?
Previous page summary
For residential leases first entered after the ordinance's effective date, Kansas City bars a security deposit (however named) larger than two months' rent, charged only once. The city section does not add a local return clock, interest, or itemization duty.