July 23, 2025
Missouri landlords are breathing a sigh of relief following the recent enactment of House Bill 595 (HB 595), a state law that overrides several local ordinances, most notably a Kansas City law that sharply restricted how landlords screen tenants and effectively forced participation in federal housing assistance programs like Section 8.
At Anderson & Associates, we support this legislative shift as a reaffirmation of private property rights and a necessary recalibration of the landlord-tenant relationship in Missouri.
What Did the Kansas City Ordinance Require?
Prior to HB 595, Kansas City’s local ordinance prohibited landlords from:
- Denying applicants based on credit history or low credit scores.
- Denying applicants with criminal arrest records.
- Denying applicants with evictions older than one year.
- Refusing to accept Section 8 or other housing voucher applicants.
- Asking certain screening questions landlords typically rely on to mitigate risk.
Landlords who violated these restrictions faced steep penalties: up to $1,000 in fines, mandatory training, and even jail time for repeat violations.
This environment led many small landlords to leave the Kansas City rental market altogether, creating long-term consequences for housing availability and affordability.
HB 595: A Statewide Reset
Signed into law by Governor Mike Kehoe, HB 595 ensures that cities and counties in Missouri cannot enact ordinances that:
- Mandate participation in federal housing voucher programs.
- Restrict the screening tools landlords use to evaluate tenants (e.g., credit scores, eviction history, criminal background).
- Cap security deposits.
- Impose “right of first refusal” requirements on lease renewals or sales.
This law doesn’t target renters – it targets overregulation, restoring landlords’ ability to make sound business decisions without fear of legal jeopardy for routine screening practices.
The Consequences of Overregulation
As housing provider Stacey Johnson-Cosby of the KC Regional Housing Alliance put it: “The very things that we would normally screen and say no for, this ordinance said I cannot say no to them.”
That kind of forced leniency created unsustainable conditions. Even landlords who once had a mission to house veterans or underserved populations began exiting the market. When local landlords sell, often to national or out-of-state investors, tenants tend to experience higher rents and less responsive management.
Rather than protecting renters, the ordinance pushed affordable and compassionate housing options out of reach for many.
A Business Decision, Not Discrimination
Some critics frame HB 595 as permitting “discrimination” against housing voucher holders. In reality, landlords were being compelled to enter contracts with the federal government under federally dictated terms, including mandatory inspections and multi-month delays. Participation in such programs is—rightly—a business decision, not a civil rights issue.
As Johnson-Cosby aptly put it: “This is America, and private contracts shouldn’t be government mandates.”
Final Thoughts for Landlords and Tenants
HB 595 doesn’t ban voucher programs. It simply says participation can’t be forced. Landlords may still choose to accept Section 8 tenants, and many do. But now, that choice remains voluntary, as it should be.
At Anderson & Associates, we represent landlords and housing providers across Missouri and Kansas. We’re here to help you:
- Navigate the impact of HB 595 on your existing lease structures.
- Update tenant screening policies to comply with state law.
- Ensure your business practices are both lawful and sustainable.
If you’re unsure how HB 595 affects your rental properties, or if you’ve been impacted by prior local housing regulations, contact us today at 816-931-2207 or julie@mokslaw.com.