Cal. Civ. Code § 534.270
If lessor dies, remedy survives to heirs
Operative Text
If any lessor of any lands, tenements or other real possessions shall die or shall grant or assign such lands or tenement or other real possessions, before the expiration of the term for which they were demised or let, his heirs, devisees, grantees, assigns and executors or administrators in charge of the lands of such lessor shall have the same remedies against anyone guilty of an unlawful detainer, by holding over such lands, tenements or other real possessions after the term for which they were demised or let, as such lessor would have if he had not died, or had not granted or assigned such lands, tenements or other real possessions.
Missouri Revised Statutes § 534.270 addresses what happens to a landlord's legal remedies when ownership of a rental property changes hands—whether through death, gift, or sale—before a lease term ends. Under this provision, the original landlord's heirs, devisees, grantees, assigns, and estate representatives inherit the same legal tools to address unlawful detainer (a tenant holding over after the lease expires) that the original landlord would have had. In other words, a change in ownership does not extinguish the right to pursue a holdover tenant; those rights transfer automatically to whoever steps into the landlord's shoes.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers should be aware that under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 534.270, the right to pursue unlawful detainer actions against holdover tenants is not lost when a property is sold, gifted, or transferred through an estate. Heirs, estate administrators, and new owners who acquire a property mid-lease generally step into the prior landlord's legal position with respect to enforcement rights. Operators who acquire property through inheritance or purchase should document the transfer clearly, as establishing the chain of ownership is typically relevant when pursuing any holdover remedy under this statute.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 534.270 means that a tenant who remains in a rental property after the lease term ends may face an unlawful detainer action brought not only by the original landlord, but also by that landlord's heirs, estate representatives, or new owners if the property changed hands. Tenants in this situation have the same rights and defenses in any such proceeding as they would have had against the original landlord—the transfer of ownership does not strip away tenant protections. Those who receive a notice or face a holdover claim under this provision may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service to understand available defenses.
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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