Missouri Senior Housing Rights: Legal Protections for Elderly Renters

Older adults in Missouri are protected by specific laws when renting in senior housing communities. Knowing your rights as a senior renter in Missouri can help you resolve disputes, avoid discrimination, and maintain safe, affordable housing. This guide explains special protections for seniors, important forms, and where to get help.

Senior Housing Protections in Missouri

Senior housing refers to rental housing specifically designed for people aged 55 or older, or 62 and older, such as senior apartments and federally subsidized housing. Seniors in Missouri benefit from both state and federal protections.

Key Legal Protections for Senior Renters

• Age Restrictions: Senior communities may lawfully restrict residency by age to comply with the Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA), but they cannot discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, or national origin.
• Anti-Discrimination: It is illegal for landlords to deny housing, increase rent, or impose different rules because of a renter’s age or disability under the federal Fair Housing Act and Missouri’s Human Rights Law.
• Eviction Protections: Senior renters have the same eviction protections as other tenants, including proper notice and due process as outlined in Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 441.
• Reasonable Accommodations: Landlords must allow reasonable changes or rule exceptions for seniors with disabilities (for example: installing grab bars or service animals), per state guidelines.

These protections ensure seniors can access and maintain housing free from unfair treatment.

Official Forms: What Seniors May Need

• Missouri Commission on Human Rights Housing Discrimination Complaint Form (MCHR-9):
  
  • Use: File this if you believe you’ve faced discrimination because of age, disability, or other protected status.
  • How: Complete the form and file with the Missouri Commission on Human Rights. For example, if a landlord refuses to install an accessible ramp in a senior housing building, you could fill out this form.
  • Download the MCHR-9 Complaint Form (PDF)
• Request for Reasonable Accommodation (No standard form):
  • Use: Write a letter or use your landlord’s form to request changes to policies or physical space for a disability.
  • How: Explain your need and suggest a solution (e.g., a reserved parking spot close to your unit).
  • See Missouri’s Reasonable Accommodation Guidelines for templates and advice.

Using the right form makes it easier to have your concern addressed quickly and officially.

What to Do If You Face Issues in Senior Housing

If you believe your rights have been violated in a senior housing unit, you have options for action:

• Document your experience and collect evidence (e.g., letters, photos, witness statements).
• Speak with your landlord or property manager to try to resolve the issue informally.
• Submit the appropriate form (like the MCHR-9) if informal resolution fails.
• Contact the Missouri Commission on Human Rights for guidance.

Who Handles Complaints and Disputes?

In Missouri, complaints about senior housing discrimination are handled by the Missouri Commission on Human Rights (MCHR). Landlord-tenant disputes—including evictions—are resolved through the local county Circuit Courts of Missouri. These are the official tribunals overseeing residential tenancy matters in the state.

Relevant Legislation

• Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 441 – Landlord and Tenant Law
• Missouri Human Rights Act, Chapter 213
• Federal Fair Housing Act

These laws provide the backbone for protecting seniors in Missouri rental housing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Missouri Senior Housing

1. Can senior housing communities legally limit residents by age?
   Yes, if they meet federal Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA) requirements, age restrictions are permitted in senior housing. They must still comply with anti-discrimination laws for other protected categories.
2. How can I request a reasonable accommodation in my senior apartment?
   Submit a written letter or form to your landlord explaining your disability-related need (such as a grab bar). Landlords must consider and cannot deny reasonable accommodations under most circumstances.
3. Can a landlord evict me just because I turned 65?
   No. Age alone is not legal grounds for eviction. Seniors are protected from discrimination under Missouri law and the federal Fair Housing Act.
4. Where can I file a housing discrimination complaint in Missouri?
   File with the Missouri Commission on Human Rights. Use the official MCHR-9 form to start your complaint.
5. What should I do if my landlord threatens eviction after I ask for an accommodation?
   Document the threat in writing and contact the Missouri Commission on Human Rights for immediate assistance.

Key Takeaways for Senior Renters

• Senior renters in Missouri have added protections against discrimination and unfair eviction.
• Request accommodations and report discrimination using official forms and agencies.
• State laws and tribunals provide strong support for resolving housing problems in senior communities.

Stay informed, keep records, and use Missouri’s official resources to protect your senior housing rights.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• Missouri Commission on Human Rights – File discrimination complaints, learn your rights, and find accommodation resources.
• Missouri Circuit Courts Finder – Locate your local court for landlord-tenant disputes and eviction cases.
• MCHR-9 Housing Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF)
• Reasonable Accommodation Request Guidelines
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Complaint Process

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1. Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 441 – Landlord and Tenant Law
2. Missouri Commission on Human Rights – Housing Discrimination Overview
3. Fair Housing Act Overview (U.S. Dept of Justice)
4. Missouri Housing Discrimination Complaint Form MCHR-9 (PDF)
5. Missouri Reasonable Accommodation Guidelines
6. Missouri Human Rights Act, Chapter 213

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