Being Sued by Your Landlord

Are you a Missouri renter and your landlord has filed a lawsuit against you? Were you recently served eviction papers, or did you come home to find a lawsuit posted on your door? If your landlord is suing you, the following information may help.

This information is specific to Missouri. Tenant laws vary by state.

My landlord filed a suit against me

• Service. Your landlord must “serve” you with the lawsuit — by handing it to you or someone in your home over age 15, or by posting it in a visible place on your home. Eviction cases move fast, so if you want to defend the suit, call an attorney right away.
• No judgment for past-due rent if the lawsuit is posted. If the landlord posted the suit outside your home, they cannot get a judgment for past-due rent if you don't appear in court (but they can still get a judgment to evict you).
• Failure to appear. If you or your attorney do not appear in court, the landlord automatically wins — a “default judgment.” A judgment against you becomes part of the public record and can make it harder to rent in the future.
• Read the lawsuit. It tells you what you're accused of, the type of suit, and how much the landlord is demanding. This matters most if the landlord seeks an “expedited eviction” alleging drug activity, serious property damage, or a threat to others.
• Rent and possession. The most common suit lets a landlord seek a judgment evicting you and requiring past-due rent and late fees (but not property damages). If you pay all rent due on or before your court date, the case is usually dismissed.

Get help

Low-wage workers can call our office for a free, confidential consultation.