Cal. Civ. Code § 441.090
Recovery action — tenant served with summons — notice — penalty
Operative Text
Every tenant on whom a summons in an action to recover the tenements held by him shall be served shall forthwith give notice thereof to the person, or the agent of the person, of whom such tenant holds, under the penalty of forfeiting to such person the value of three years' rent of the premises occupied by him.
Missouri Revised Statutes § 441.090 establishes that when a tenant receives a court summons in a legal action seeking to recover the property they occupy, the tenant is required to promptly notify their landlord or the landlord's agent of that summons. Failure to provide this notice carries a significant financial consequence: the tenant may forfeit an amount equal to three years' worth of rent for the occupied premises. The rule is designed to ensure landlords are kept informed of legal proceedings that directly affect their property interests.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.090, a compliant property owner or manager maintains clear, up-to-date contact information — or designates a known agent — so that tenants have a readily available point of contact for delivering legally required notices. Operators generally document any notices received from tenants regarding court summonses, as this provision creates a financial remedy in the landlord's favor when a tenant fails to provide timely notification. Keeping records of agent designations and communication channels helps ensure the notice requirement can be fulfilled and, if necessary, demonstrated in a legal proceeding.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.090 places an obligation on tenants to promptly notify their landlord or the landlord's agent whenever they are served with a summons in an action to recover the property they rent. Failing to provide this notice can expose a tenant to a penalty equal to three years' rent, making timely communication with the landlord an important step after receiving any such legal papers. Tenants who receive a summons may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service to understand how this provision interacts with their broader rights and obligations in the 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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