[MO] Can my landlord evict me for patio plants, stored clothes, or a cat that is not mine?

MO Landlord-Tenant

Legal Eagle

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Thank you for chatting with me on this. The short answer is that you have some rights regarding eviction and the conditions of your tenancy. The situation may be complicated by the cat, the fire insurance request, and your health, but there are options you can explore to buy more time. That is the short answer.

Here is the long answer: eviction laws generally protect tenants from being evicted without proper notice or cause. The landlord must follow local laws and provide written notice before eviction proceedings begin. (MO Rev Stat § 441.060) Landlords must provide notice of termination and a valid reason for eviction, such as health or safety concerns, for example, fire hazards. As for the fire insurance issue, landlords can impose certain conditions on tenants, but they must be reasonable and legal. The request for fire insurance could be viewed as excessive, depending on local housing laws.

Here is what you can do legally, step by step:

Request a copy of your lease agreement and any eviction notices in writing. Review the terms to check if the landlord is complying with eviction laws.
If you need more time, consider asking for an extension due to your age and health conditions. In some cases, tenants are entitled to extra time. (42 U.S.C. § 3604)
Contact your local housing authority or legal aid services to file a complaint if you feel the eviction is unjust or if you are being asked to meet unreasonable demands.
If you are being forced to move before you are ready, you may want to file for a delay or emergency housing assistance, especially given the weather conditions and your physical limitations.

D0es that help clarify things? I want to make sure I did not leave anything out.

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I live in a 55 and older place. We each have a separate entry door and a back door. Some people have Section 8, some use walkers. I work part time. I planted two tomato plants in pots on my back patio. I have lots of clothes. The owner didn't like my tomato plants, but I was not informed until the end of September, so I was getting ready to get rid of them. I have a lot of clothes in my spare bedroom. She doesn't like that and says it's a fire hazard. I don't smoke, don't use the dryer when I'm not home, and don't have the oven on when I'm not here. I am being evicted.

Lexi, Chatbot

I'm sorry to hear about your situation; it must be very stressful to face eviction. Can you tell me if you have received any formal eviction notice from your landlord?

She came to my door, looked at the bedroom, said I had 30 days to clean that up. Came back two minutes later with a decent length letter, which I believe she already had typed, stating I needed to be out by January 1, 2026. I am 79, broke my hip last September, started working part time at Walmart in December 2024. I am exhausted. I have had my name on two other senior places for at least a year. I did contact them; they don't have openings.

I did get a letter, an actual letter, from an attorney that stated I need to be out by January 31st and I will be charged for all the damages. I don't plan on damaging anything. I really need to stay for at least four or five months, so the weather is better, and I can get help moving.

Lexi, Chatbot

Have you had any prior discussions with your landlord regarding the tomato plants or the clothes in your spare bedroom?

No, not until she came here the first of November.

Lexi, Chatbot

Is there anything else the Lawyer should know before I connect you? Rest assured they'll be able to help with your eviction notice.

I did fail to mention, there is a lovely cat that comes around here. She goes in several people's houses. She walks in my front door and out the back, or in the back door and out the front. She doesn't care for my dog and I don't think he cares for her. The owner said, “You didn't pay for a cat.” No, I didn't, it's not my cat. However, I didn't want to argue with her. She is not very nice.

Legal Eagle

Hello, I’m Legal Eagle. I’m an attorney who works in your area of law and I’ll help you sort this out today. I’ve read what you shared, so let’s go over what’s happening and what your best next steps look like. Have you had any previous issues or warnings related to the cat or any other pets in the building?

The only thing, and I believe this is correct, someone said something about my cat, and I said it's not my cat. However, I will take the cat and pay for the cat if that helps.

I did pay the deposit for my dog. I didn't think people paid for an emotional support animal, but I did. My doctor does believe it would help my blood pressure a little more if I had a cat.

Legal Eagle

It's great that you're willing to take responsibility for the cat if needed. Now, could you tell me which state or city you're located in? This helps me understand the local laws that might apply to your situation.

Peculiar, Missouri.

Legal Eagle

Understood! So you're just wondering what your rights are here, correct?

I just don't want to move in this freezing weather. I am not that strong, plus the people who were going to help me won't help in the freezing, snowy weather. I would like to stay here until I can find a place who will accept this old person.

Legal Eagle

Ok! Did you need to tell me anything else? If not, I can start with answering your question.

The only other thing, of course, I didn't get the letter, they want me to move. However, my neighbors received a letter stating they need to get $300,000 fire insurance and make the owner of the property the beneficiary. One neighbor said they are greedy, that's not happening.

Legal Eagle

Ok! I've been working on an answer while we've been chatting, so it'll just be a moment.

Please take your time.

Legal Eagle

Here is what you can do legally, step by step:

Request a copy of your lease agreement and any eviction notices in writing. Review the terms to check if the landlord is complying with eviction laws.
If you need more time, consider asking for an extension due to your age and health conditions. In some cases, tenants are entitled to extra time. (42 U.S.C. § 3604)
Contact your local housing authority or legal aid services to file a complaint if you feel the eviction is unjust or if you are being asked to meet unreasonable demands.
If you are being forced to move before you are ready, you may want to file for a delay or emergency housing assistance, especially given the weather conditions and your physical limitations.

D0es that help clarify things? I want to make sure I did not leave anything out.

So I would need to contact the Cass County Housing Authority. Does Cass County have Emergency Housing Assistance, so I can stay here for four or five more months? Am I correct in my statements? Thank you.

Legal Eagle

Sure thing! Yes, Cass County may have emergency housing assistance programs, and contacting the Housing Authority is a good step to confirm what support is available.

Do you agree that all my clothes in the spare bedroom would cause a fire? I just don't understand that. I've always had too many clothes.

Legal Eagle

I hear you! Having too many clothes can sometimes be seen as a fire hazard if they block exits or are near heat sources, but it’s not automatically a fire risk just because they’re stored in a room. It might help to discuss specific concerns with your landlord to see if there are ways to address the issue safely.

Just to be clear, they are not near a heat source, and they are not blocking entry into the room I never go in. I appreciate your help.

Legal Eagle

Sure thing! Since your clothes are not near heat sources or blocking exits, it seems the concern might be based on general safety guidelines. You could consider organizing the clothes in a way that shows they’re stored safely, or even offer to provide a fire extinguisher for added reassurance. Reaching out to the Housing Authority or a local tenant's rights group could help clarify whether the landlord's concerns are legally valid.

The Housing Authority doesn't help with staying in this place until I can move. I guess I'll be living on the street. Wish me luck!

Legal Eagle

I'm really sorry to hear that the Housing Authority couldn't help with your immediate needs. Please don't lose hope. There might be other local resources or charities that can offer temporary assistance or housing solutions. Consider reaching out to local community centers, churches, or nonprofits that might have programs for seniors in need. You deserve to have a safe place to stay, especially during this challenging time. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, please feel free to reach out. I'm here to help with any further questions you may have on this topic. Take care, and I truly wish you the best of luck in finding a solution.

Legal Eagle

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