Cal. Civ. Code § 41.944
Certain military service, termination of lease — requirements
Operative Text
1. Any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who is on active duty, and any member of the Missouri Army or Air National Guard serving on full-time duty or as a civil service technician with a Missouri Army or Air National Guard unit who is a tenant under a lease of a residential dwelling may, pursuant to subsection 2 of this section, terminate such lease with the member's lessor if the member: (1) Receives permanent change of station orders transferring the member to another duty station; (2) Receives temporary duty orders in excess of ninety days duration assigning the member to another location which is at least twenty-five miles from the site of the leased residential premises; (3) Is discharged or released from active duty with the Armed Forces of the United States or from the member's full-time duty or technician status with the Missouri Army or Air National Guard; or (4) Is ordered to reside in government supplied quarters. 2. Lessees who qualify to terminate a residential lease agreement pursuant to subsection 1 of this section shall do so by serving the lessor written notice of termination to be effective on a date stated thereon, which shall not be less than fifteen days after the date of such service. Prior to the termination date, the lessee shall furnish the lessor with a copy of the official orders or a signed letter confirming the orders from the lessee's commanding officer. 3. The final lease payment due under the terminated lease shall be provided by the effective date of termination and shall be payable at such time as would have otherwise been required by the terms of the lease. The lessee shall be entitled to the full return of any security deposit and pet deposit, if any, if such member has otherwise complied with the requirements of the lease and of section 535.300.
Under Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 41.944, 64.207, 209.190, 442.055, 448.4-112, and 571.510, qualifying members of the U.S. Armed Forces or the Missouri Army or Air National Guard who are tenants in a residential lease may end that lease early under specific military-related circumstances — such as receiving permanent change-of-station orders, extended temporary duty orders, discharge from active duty, or orders to live in government quarters. To exercise this right, the service member must give the landlord written notice at least fifteen days before the intended termination date and provide a copy of the official orders or a commanding officer's confirmation letter. If the member has otherwise met the lease's obligations and the requirements of section 535.300, they are entitled to a full refund of any security deposit and pet deposit.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 41.944, 64.207, 209.190, 442.055, 448.4-112, and 571.510, compliant residential property operators recognize and honor early lease terminations from qualifying military tenants who provide proper written notice and supporting documentation. Operators generally process the termination effective on the date stated in the notice — provided it is at least fifteen days after service of that notice — and collect only the final prorated rent due by that effective date. When a qualifying service member has otherwise satisfied lease obligations and section 535.300 requirements, operators return the full security deposit and any pet deposit in accordance with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 41.944, 64.207, 209.190, 442.055, 448.4-112, and 571.510 establish a right for eligible active-duty service members and qualifying Missouri National Guard members to terminate a residential lease early when certain military circumstances arise, such as a permanent change of station or orders to move into government quarters. To exercise this right, a tenant generally delivers written notice to the landlord specifying a termination date at least fifteen days out, along with official orders or a commanding officer's confirmation letter, and pays any final rent due by the termination date. Tenants who believe a landlord has improperly withheld a security or pet deposit after a qualifying termination may consider consulting a tenant-rights organization, a military legal assistance office, or reviewing available complaint processes for guidance on their options.
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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