Cal. Civ. Code § 534.280
Effect of forfeiture of lease
Operative Text
The determination of any lease by forfeiture shall, within the purview of this chapter, have the same effect as if the term thereby created had expired.
Missouri Revised Statutes § 534.280 establishes that when a lease is terminated through forfeiture—meaning it is ended early due to a breach or violation of its terms—the legal consequences are treated the same as if the lease had simply run its full term and expired naturally. This equivalence means that the procedural rules governing what happens at the end of a tenancy apply equally whether the tenancy ended by forfeiture or by ordinary expiration. The provision ensures consistency in how courts and parties handle the aftermath of a lease's end, regardless of the reason it concluded.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 534.280, property owners and managers who pursue a forfeiture of a lease can proceed with the same post-tenancy steps they would take after a natural lease expiration, such as initiating unlawful detainer proceedings under Chapter 534 if the tenant remains on the property. Compliant operators typically document the basis for forfeiture carefully and follow the same statutory notice and filing requirements that apply at the end of any tenancy term. Treating a forfeiture as equivalent to an expiration means the same procedural framework governs the transition of possession.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 534.280 means that if a landlord declares a lease forfeited, tenants retain the same procedural protections they would have at the natural end of a lease term under Chapter 534. Tenants facing a forfeiture claim may have grounds to raise defenses in any eviction or unlawful detainer proceeding, just as they could contest a post-expiration removal. Consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Missouri landlord-tenant law can help tenants understand what rights and remedies may be available in their circumstances.
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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