441.233. Landlord's unlawful removal or exclusion of tenant, liability--interruption of services, landlord's liability. - Missouri Statutes

Landlord's unlawful removal or exclusion of tenant,liability--interruption of services, landlord's liability.

441.233. 1. Except as provided in section 441.065, a landlordor its agent who removes or excludes a tenant or the tenant's personalproperty from the premises without judicial process and court order, orcauses such removal or exclusion, or causes the removal of the doors orlocks to such premises, shall be deemed guilty of forcible entry anddetainer as described in chapter 534, RSMo.

2. Any landlord or its agent who willfully diminishes services to atenant by interrupting or causing the interruption of essential services,including but not limited to electric, gas, water, or sewer service, to thetenant or to the premises shall be deemed guilty of forcible entry anddetainer as described in chapter 534, RSMo; provided however, this sectionshall not be applicable if a landlord or its agent takes such action forhealth or safety reasons.

(L. 1997 H.B. 361 § 441.223)