Cal. Civ. Code § 535.120
Action brought, when
Operative Text
Whenever one month's rent or more is in arrear from a tenant, the landlord, if he has a subsisting right by law to reenter for the nonpayment of such rent, may bring an action to recover the possession of the demised premises.
Missouri Revised Statutes § 535.120 establishes the threshold at which a landlord may initiate a legal action to reclaim a rental property due to unpaid rent. Specifically, when a tenant has fallen at least one full month behind on rent, and the landlord holds a legal right to reenter the property for nonpayment, the landlord is permitted to bring a court action to recover possession of the premises. This provision does not automatically remove a tenant but rather sets the conditions under which a formal legal process may begin.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.120, a landlord who has a legally recognized right to reenter the property for nonpayment of rent may file a possession action once a tenant is at least one full month in arrears. Compliant operators typically confirm that the lease or applicable law grants them a reentry right before initiating any court proceeding, and they ensure that the arrearage meets the statutory threshold. Maintaining clear rent-payment records and written lease terms that establish reentry rights are practices generally associated with being prepared to pursue this remedy.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.120 sets out the conditions under which a landlord may bring a court action for possession, meaning a tenant has the opportunity to respond within that legal process before any removal can occur. Tenants facing such an action may have grounds to contest whether the landlord actually holds the required legal right to reenter, or whether a full month's rent is genuinely in arrears. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help individuals understand available defenses and options, such as raising procedural or substantive challenges within the court proceeding.
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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