Eviction leads in St. Louis, Missouri: where tired landlords meet a renter-majority city
The City of St. Louis is an independent city, separate from St. Louis County, with about 289,000 residents and a median home value near $198,000 in recent Census estimates. Only about 45% of homes are owner-occupied and about 47% are single-unit buildings, because brick two-family flats and small apartment buildings make up much of the housing stock. Citywide vacancy is near 17%.
With so many rentals, eviction filings are a steady source of leads, and many come from small landlords who own one to five properties. For some of them, a costly eviction and the repairs that follow are the moment they decide to sell. This guide explains how St. Louis differs from the suburbs, how Missouri evictions work in general terms and how to run the numbers fairly.
What St. Louis renters, owners and investors search for
Houses for rent in St. Louis draw about 2,400 searches a month, as many as St. Louis city property search. Homes for sale in St. Louis draw about 1,300.
Rental demand is strong
Section 8 St. Louis draws about 320 searches a month, a sign of steady voucher-based demand.
Owners check records
The St. Louis City assessor draws about 1,000 searches a month.
Vacant city lots draw interest
St. Louis LRA properties draw about 20 searches a month, reflecting the city’s land bank inventory.
- 1Houses for rent St. LouisAbout 2,400
- 2St. Louis city property searchAbout 2,400
- 3Homes for sale St. Louis MOAbout 1,300
- 4St. Louis city assessorAbout 1,000
- 5Section 8 St. LouisAbout 320
- 6St. Louis LRA propertiesAbout 20
- 7Homes for sale south city St. LouisAbout 20
- 8Eviction notice MissouriAbout 390
How investors can use this data
Turn filings into fair offers:
Search volumes are approximate. Figures are recent monthly estimates and change over time. Use them to understand interest, not as exact counts.
ForeclosuresDaily.com hosts monthly webinars with investors such as Carolynn Castillo, who share how they find and evaluate deals.
Running the numbers on a St. Louis rental after an eviction
Run the numbers before you make an offer. Brick homes are durable, but roofs, tuckpointing, plumbing and electrical updates add up. Start with the after-repair value, then subtract the purchase price, repairs and holding and selling costs.
Profit = After-repair value − Purchase + repairs + holding and selling costs
All figures are illustrative. Local costs vary widely.
North city math is different. Where medians sit near $54,000 to $82,000, resale margins are thin and many investors buy for rental cash flow instead, with careful attention to repair costs and vacancy.
Brick needs specialists
Tuckpointing and roofs are common costs.
Leases transfer with the sale
Review every lease before closing.
Vacancy varies by ZIP
From about 7% to over 30%.
Track your results
Measure cost per deal by ZIP.
How to work St. Louis eviction leads
- 1
Pull new filings regularly
Missouri court records, including landlord-tenant cases, are searchable through the state’s Case.net system. Look for landlords with repeat filings or several properties.
- 2
Research before you reach out
Confirm ownership, liens, property condition, vacancy and any open city violations or permits.
- 3
Follow up with care
Use mail and compliant calls and texts. Scrub numbers against do-not-call lists, get consent where required and never interfere with a pending case or contact tenants about it.
Checklist
- Verify ownership
- Check case status
- Review leases
- Check city violations
- Inspect the property
- Get legal advice
See also eviction leads in St. Charles County and wholesaling real estate in St. Louis County.
St. Louis city ZIP codes for eviction leads
Recent Census estimates show St. Louis city medians from about $54,000 to about $372,000, with vacancy from about 7% to 37%.
Central West End and Forest Park Southeast 63108 and 63110
Medians near $340,000 to $372,000, with condos, historic homes and strong rental demand.
Soulard, Lafayette Square and Benton Park 63104 and 63118
Medians near $221,000 to $269,000, with historic brick homes and many small landlords.
St. Louis Hills and Southampton 63109, Lindenwood Park 63139
Medians near $210,000 to $265,000 and owner-occupancy near 61% to 63%, with mostly single-family brick homes.
South city 63116 and 63111
Medians near $128,000 to $174,000, with two-family flats and many rentals.
West End 63112
A median near $213,000 and vacancy near 21%, with a mix of grand homes and rentals.
North city 63107, 63113, 63115, 63120 and 63147
Medians near $54,000 to $82,000 and vacancy near 19% to 37%, where repairs and cash flow drive every deal.
ZIP medians are recent Census estimates. Use recent sales to set every offer.
How a Missouri eviction typically works in St. Louis
This is a general overview, not legal advice. Missouri procedures and city rules can change. Landlords should consult a Missouri attorney before filing.
Rent and possession or unlawful detainer
Missouri landlords typically file a rent and possession case for unpaid rent, or an unlawful detainer case for other situations. Notice requirements depend on the case type and lease.
- Rent and possession
- Unlawful detainer
Choose the right case type with an attorney.
Hearing in the city’s circuit court
St. Louis city cases are heard in the associate circuit division of the city’s own circuit court. The tenant is served, may appear and raise defenses, and the judge decides.
- Hearing
- Judgment
Self-help lockouts are not allowed.
Execution by the sheriff
After judgment and any waiting or appeal period, the landlord can request an order the sheriff carries out.
- Writ
- Sheriff
Only officers carry out removal.
Fair dealing with landlords and tenants
Investors who contact landlords should be honest, avoid pressure and respect tenants’ rights. Missouri mortgage foreclosures are usually non-judicial trustee sales, which can move quickly. Follow federal and Missouri rules for calls and texts.
Fair dealing protects everyone and your reputation.
Questions to ask a St. Louis landlord
- 1How many rentals do you own?
- 2Is the eviction finished or pending?
- 3Are there open city violations?
- 4What repairs does the building need?
- 5Would you sell with a tenant in place?
- 6What do you need to walk away with?
St. Louis city in numbers
St. Louis city has about 289,000 residents, a median home value near $198,000 and a median household income around $56,000 in recent Census estimates, with about 45% of homes owner-occupied, about 47% single-unit homes and vacancy near 17%.
Healthcare, universities, finance and downtown employers support demand.
Durable brick construction defines most neighborhoods, though many homes need system updates.
A city land bank holds many vacant lots and buildings, especially in north city.
St. Louis is an independent city, so its records and courts are separate from St. Louis County.
- Ignore open violations
- Skip lease review
- Cold-call without scrubbing
- Check city records
- Read every lease
- Follow call and text rules
Related resources
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Eviction leads in St. Louis, Missouri: FAQ
Short general answers. This is not legal advice. Tap a question to open it.
QIs St. Louis city part of St. Louis County?Yes
No. It is an independent city with its own courts and records.
QWhere are Missouri eviction records?
In court records searchable through Missouri Case.net.
QWhy are there so many rentals?
Only about 45% of city homes are owner-occupied.
QCan I call and text landlords?Yes
Only within federal and Missouri rules. Scrub lists and get consent where required.
QWhich ZIP has the highest median?
The Central West End, 63108, at about $372,000.
QDo leases end when a property sells?
Generally no. Buyers usually take the property subject to existing leases.
Want St. Louis eviction leads? Tell us your target ZIP codes and strategy and we will help you choose landlord leads.
Reach tired St. Louis landlords first
In a renter-majority city, eviction filings are one of the clearest signals that a small landlord may be ready to sell. Investors who reach them early, with fair offers and respect for tenants, find deals others miss.
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