Cal. Civ. Code § 534.010
What entries deemed lawful
Operative Text
No person shall enter upon or into any lands, tenements or other possessions, and detain and hold the same, but when entry is given by law, and then only in a peaceable manner.
Missouri Revised Statutes § 534.010 establishes that entering and taking possession of real property—whether land, buildings, or other holdings—is only lawful when the law specifically authorizes such entry. Even when entry is legally permitted, it must be carried out peacefully. The provision effectively prohibits forcible or unlawful self-help seizure of property by anyone, including landlords.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 534.010, property owners and managers are generally expected to rely on court-authorized legal processes, such as formal eviction proceedings, rather than physically entering and retaking a rental unit on their own initiative. Compliant operators do not change locks, remove belongings, or otherwise take possession of a unit outside of lawful process, even if they believe a tenant has forfeited their right to remain. Maintaining records of all legal steps taken to recover possession can help demonstrate adherence to the peaceable-entry standard this provision requires.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 534.010 reflects a longstanding Missouri rule that a landlord's entry and retaking of a rental property must be both legally authorized and carried out peacefully. If a tenant believes a landlord has forcibly or unlawfully entered and seized a rental unit without going through proper legal channels, that conduct may constitute a violation of this provision. Tenants in that situation may have grounds to raise the unlawful entry as a defense in court proceedings or to seek guidance from a local tenant-rights organization about available remedies.
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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