What can I do if my landlord won't fix uninhabitable conditions in Missouri?

1. Implied Warranty of Habitability — Recognized in King v. Moorehead, 495 S.W.2d 65 (Mo. App. 1973), and codified in part by Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 441.500-.640 (rent escrow for code violations).

2. What Counts as Uninhabitable — Substantial code violations affecting health/safety: lack of heat, hot water, plumbing, electrical defects, pest infestation, structural problems, sewage. Local property maintenance codes (St. Louis, Kansas City) supply specifics.

3. Tenant Notice to Landlord — Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.234 requires 14 days' written notice; municipal code inspections may also trigger landlord duty.

4. Repair-and-Deduct — § 441.234 allows tenant to repair-and-deduct after 14-day notice if landlord fails to act, capped at $300 or one-half month's rent (whichever is greater), and limited to once in any 12-month period.

5. Rent Withholding / Escrow — §§ 441.500-.640 establish a court-supervised rent escrow program: after city issues code violation notice and landlord fails to repair, tenant may petition court to deposit rent into escrow until repairs made.

6. Constructive Eviction — Recognized at common law; tenant may abandon where conditions substantially interfere with use.

7. Affirmative Defense to Eviction — Habitability breach is a defense and counterclaim in nonpayment cases (Detling v. Edelbrock, 671 S.W.2d 265 (Mo. banc 1984)).

8. Damages & Penalties — Rent abatement based on diminished value, actual damages, repair-and-deduct credits, and escrow release. Attorney fees only if statute or lease provides.

9. Retaliation Protection — § 441.920 prohibits retaliation (rent increase, service reduction, eviction) for complaints to government or assertion of rights; remedy includes actual damages, injunctive relief, and termination of retaliatory acts.

This is legal information, not legal advice.