The St. Louis security deposit demand letter that gets deposits back.
Your St. Louis landlord must act within 30 days after termination under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300. If they missed it, the statute is written on your side. We cite the statute, mail your demand USPS Certified, and track the response.
The law that protects your deposit
Deposits in St. Louis are governed by Missouri state law: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300. Wrongful withholding can make the landlord liable for up to twice the amount wrongfully withheld. Full Missouri deadline & penalty guide →
If the landlord ignores your letter
Deposit claims from St. Louis are typically filed in the small-claims court serving its independent city — designed for people without lawyers, with modest filing fees.
St. Louis at a glance
Population ~281,000 (U.S. Census 2024 estimate, rounded). Every deposit dispute here runs on the same clock: the 30-day statutory window — and a certified letter is the documented first step.
General legal information, not legal advice. City-specific ordinances change; verify current rules or consult a licensed Missouri attorney.