Do this today
- Keep the paper. Photograph every page.
- Write the date, time, and how it arrived.
- Look for 22nd Circuit — City of St. Louis, a case number, or an appearance date.
- If a court is named, call legal aid the same day. Do not guess the deadline.
What were you handed?
| The paper | What it usually is | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| Landlord notice | A step before a court case. Not a judgment, and not a lockout. | Date it. Keep the original. Write down how it arrived. Check whether it offers a chance to fix the problem. |
| Court papers | A case has been filed. A court name, case number, or appearance date is running. | Call legal aid the same day. Do not ignore it. Bring the papers and a timeline of how you received them. |
| Lockout or shutoff | Locks changed, belongings moved, or utilities cut on an occupied unit. | Call 211 and legal aid today. In most states a landlord may not do this personally. Police non-emergency can document it. |
Is a notice in St. Louis the same as being evicted?
No. A written landlord notice is a step. 22nd Circuit — City of St. Louis is where a possession case is heard. Papers that name a court, a case number, or an appearance date mean a case has been filed — that is same-day legal-aid work. City of St. Louis and St. Louis County are separate. Use the City stack only if the unit is in the City.
What should I be careful not to do?
Do not ignore court papers. Do not assume a lockout is lawful because a notice looks official. Do not sign a move-out or cash-for-keys paper you have not read with an advocate. St. Louis Building Division is not a substitute for legal aid once a case is filed.
City of St. Louis or St. Louis County?
They are separate governments. A County ordinance or court is the wrong stack for a City address. Missouri statutes are the floor. The City Building Division inspects many conditions inside the City.
The St. Louis layer
City of St. Louis and St. Louis County are separate. Use the City stack only if the unit is in the City.
Missouri landlord and tenant statutes (Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 441.005 to 441.920) is the Missouri floor. We name it. We do not paraphrase a day-count or a dollar cap out of it.
St. Louis questions
Can my landlord in St. Louis evict me without going to court?
No. Changing locks or shutting off utilities is not how possession is completed. 22nd Circuit — City of St. Louis is the court. If the paper names it, call legal aid the same day.
How long does an eviction notice last in St. Louis?
That number is in Missouri landlord and tenant statutes, and it can depend on the reason, the housing type, and any local ordinance. This site does not reprint it. Open the chapter or call legal aid with the paper in your hand.
City of St. Louis or St. Louis County?
They are separate governments. A County ordinance or court is the wrong stack for a City address. Missouri statutes are the floor. The City Building Division inspects many conditions inside the City.
What number should I call in St. Louis?
Danger: 911. Mental-health crisis: 988. City services: 311. Court papers: LawHelp.org the same day. St. Louis Building Division does not replace legal aid when a case is filed.
National answers on this desk
Last reviewed 8 September 2026. Legal information, not legal advice. Not a law firm. hello@renterprotection.org