Cal. Civ. Code § 441.740
Immediate eviction ordered, when — immediate removal ordered, when
Operative Text
1. The court shall, subject to the provisions of sections 441.750 and 441.880, order the immediate eviction of a tenant as set forth in section 441.770, or issue an order pursuant to section 441.830, if it finds any of the following: (1) An emergency situation where dispossession of the tenant by other, less expeditious legal means would, because of the passage of time, imminently cause with a reasonable certainty either of the following: (a) Physical injury to other tenants or the lessor; or (b) Physical damage to lessor's property and the reasonable cost to repair such damage exceeds an amount equal to twelve months of rent; for the purposes of this paragraph, the term "rent" shall include the amount owed by the tenant along with any subsidy owed from any third party. No action shall be taken under this subdivision unless the lessor first makes a reasonable attempt to abate the emergency situation through public law enforcement authorities or local mental health services personnel authorized to take action pursuant to section 632.305 et seq., as appropriate; (2) Drug-related criminal activity has occurred on or within the property leased to the tenant; (3) The property leased to the tenant was used in any way to further, promote, aid or assist in drug-related criminal activity; (4) The tenant, a member of the tenant's household or a guest has engaged in drug-related criminal activity either within, on or in the immediate vicinity of the leased property; (5) The tenant has given permission to or invited a person to enter onto or remain on any portion of the leased property, and the tenant did so knowing that the person had been removed or barred from the leased property pursuant to the provisions of sections 441.710 to 441.880; or (6) The tenant has failed to promptly notify the plaintiff that a person whom the plaintiff previously had removed from the property leased by the tenant, with the knowledge of the tenant, has returned to, entered onto or remained on the property leased by the tenant. 2. The court shall, subject to the provisions of section 441.880, order the immediate removal of any person who engages in criminal activity described in this section on or in the immediate vicinity of the leased property. Persons removed from the leased premises pursuant to this section shall be immediately barred from entering onto or remaining on any portion of the leased property.
Missouri Revised Statutes § 441.740 establishes specific circumstances under which a court must order the immediate eviction of a tenant or the immediate removal of a person from rental property. These circumstances include emergency situations posing imminent physical danger or severe property damage, drug-related criminal activity on or near the leased premises, and situations where a previously barred individual is allowed or permitted to return. The provision also requires that before pursuing emergency eviction, a landlord must first make a reasonable attempt to address the crisis through law enforcement or authorized mental health services. Any person removed under this section is immediately barred from re-entering any portion of the leased property.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.740, compliant property operators document and report qualifying emergency situations, drug-related criminal activity, or unauthorized re-entry by barred individuals before seeking court-ordered immediate eviction. Before filing for emergency eviction on the basis of an imminent physical or property threat, operators generally demonstrate that they first contacted law enforcement or appropriate mental health authorities as required by the statute. Operators also maintain records of any prior removal or bar orders so they can establish tenant knowledge if a previously removed person returns to the property.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.740 sets out the limited and specific grounds on which a court may order an immediate eviction or removal, meaning a landlord cannot use this expedited process for ordinary lease disputes or non-qualifying situations. Tenants facing an immediate eviction action under this provision have the right to appear before the court and contest whether the statutory grounds — such as drug-related activity or an emergency situation — have actually been met. Tenants who believe this provision is being applied improperly may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service to understand the procedural protections available under sections 441.750 and 441.880.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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