Cal. Civ. Code § 534.540
Proceedings on default of defendant
Operative Text
In case of a judgment by default, a jury, or the court if no jury be required, shall assess the monthly value of the premises, and the damages and judgment shall be rendered on the verdict accordingly.
Missouri Revised Statutes § 534.540 governs what happens when a defendant in an eviction or unlawful detainer proceeding fails to appear or respond. Under this provision, a jury—or the court itself when no jury is required—steps in to assess the fair monthly rental value of the property and any damages owed. The resulting judgment is then entered based on that assessment, even without the defendant's participation.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 534.540, when a tenant defaults by failing to appear in a possession proceeding, the court or jury will independently determine the monthly value of the premises and calculate damages accordingly. Operators who pursue a default judgment should be prepared to present evidence of the property's fair monthly rental value, since that figure directly shapes the damages awarded. Maintaining clear rental records and documentation of the tenancy helps support an accurate assessment during these proceedings.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 534.540 means that if a tenant does not appear in a possession case, a court or jury will assess the monthly value of the premises and enter a damages judgment without the tenant's input. Tenants who become aware of a pending proceeding against them generally have options such as responding to the action, appearing at any scheduled hearing, or consulting a tenant-rights organization to understand available defenses. Missing a court date in these cases can result in a judgment being entered based solely on the court's or jury's own assessment of the property's value.
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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