# Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.020: 441.020 Illegal use of premises renders lease void

> Missouri · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C441_S441.020

## Section

- **Citation:** Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.020
- **Heading:** 441.020 Illegal use of premises renders lease void
- **Jurisdiction:** Missouri
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** MO Code / Chapter 441 / Section 441.020

## Text

441.020. Illegal use of premises renders lease void. — Whenever any lessee of any house, apartment or building permits any prohibited gaming table, bank or device to be set up or be kept or used upon the premises, for the purpose of gaming, or keeping in the same a bawdyhouse, brothel or common gaming house, or allowing the illegal possession, sale or distribution of controlled substances upon the premises, the lease or agreement for letting such house or building shall become void, and the lessor may enter on the premises so let, and shall have the same remedies for the recovery of the premises as in the case of a tenant holding over the tenant's term.

(RSMo 1939 § 4689, A.L. 1997 H.B. 361) Prior revisions: 1929 § 4299; 1919 § 3549; 1909 § 4762 (1956) Evidence held insufficient to support verdict for forfeiture of lease because of gambling on premises. Blair v. Hamilton (A.), 297 S.W.2d 14.

## Nearby sections

- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.005 441.005 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C441_S441.005.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.010 441.010 Covenant or contract of tenant to repair — effect of.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C441_S441.010.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.020 441.020 Illegal use of premises renders lease void.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C441_S441.020.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.030 441.030 Tenant not to assign without consent — nor violate conditions — nor commit ...](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C441_S441.030.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.040 441.040 Landlord may take possession, when — landlord liable, when, burden of proof.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C441_S441.040.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.043 441.043 Prohibited ordinances and resolutions, exceptions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C441_S441.043.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.050 441.050 Tenancy from year to year, how terminated.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C441_S441.050.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.060 441.060 Tenancy at will, sufferance, month to month, how terminated — judgment of ...](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C441_S441.060.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.065 441.065 Abandonment of rental premises, when, procedure.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C441_S441.065.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.070 441.070 No notice necessary, when.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C441_S441.070.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.080 441.080 Liability of tenants after termination of term.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C441_S441.080.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.090 441.090 Recovery action — tenant served with summons — notice — penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C441_S441.090.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.100 441.100 Tenant giving notice to quit, and failing to do so, liable.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C441_S441.100.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.110 441.110 Such rent, how recovered.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C441_S441.110.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C441_S441.020. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.