Newton County is located in the southwest corner of Missouri, directly adjacent to Jasper County and included in the Joplin Metropolitan Statistical Area. With approximately 61,000 residents, the county seat is Neosho — a growing small city of approximately 13,300 on the county’s eastern end — while a significant portion of the county’s northern population is functionally part of the Joplin metro, as Joplin extends across the Jasper-Newton county line. The 40th Judicial Circuit handles all Newton County evictions and serves both Newton and McDonald counties. Evictions file at the Newton County Courthouse, 101 South Wood Street, Neosho, MO 64850. County clerk phone: (417) 451-8223. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Newton County’s median household income is approximately $64,583. Neosho’s median gross rent is approximately $706 per month, reflecting its affordable small-city character. The county’s economy includes manufacturing, retail, construction, and a notable agriculture sector. All landlord-tenant matters are governed by Missouri state law (RSMo Chapters 441, 534, and 535).
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinances. Missouri state law governs all residential rental matters.
Category
Details
Local Ordinances
Newton County has no county-level landlord-tenant ordinances. The City of Neosho and other municipalities including Granby, Diamond, and Seneca maintain their own property maintenance codes. Landlords should confirm applicable requirements with the relevant city.
Rent Control
Prohibited statewide. No municipality in Newton County may impose rent caps or stabilization measures.
Security Deposit
Missouri does not cap security deposit amounts. Return within 30 days of move-out with itemized deduction list (RSMo §535.300). With Neosho’s median rent around $706 and a poverty rate of approximately 23.8% in the city, even modest deposits represent a financial burden for many tenants. Deposit return compliance is important — document move-in condition thoroughly.
40th Judicial Circuit
All Newton County evictions file with the 40th Judicial Circuit at the Newton County Courthouse, 101 South Wood Street, Neosho, MO 64850. County clerk phone: (417) 451-8223. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The 40th Circuit also serves McDonald County (separate courthouse in Pineville). Newton County cases file in Neosho. Wheelchair access is via the north ramp; an elevator serves all floors.
Joplin-Newton County Line
A portion of Joplin extends into Newton County. Properties with Joplin addresses that are located in Newton County file evictions in Neosho with the 40th Circuit, not in Joplin with the 29th Circuit (Jasper County). Always confirm which county your Joplin-area property is in before filing. The Newton County Assessor’s GIS tool can confirm jurisdiction.
Business Entity Requirement
LLCs, corporations, and partnerships must be represented by a licensed Missouri attorney in landlord-tenant proceedings. Individual owners may appear pro se.
Last verified: 2026-04-01
🏛️ Newton County Courthouse
40th Judicial Circuit — Neosho
🏛️ Courthouse Information and Locations for Missouri
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State statutes that apply throughout Newton County
⚡ Quick Overview
0 (can file immediately when rent is past due)
Days Notice (Nonpayment)
10
Days Notice (Violation)
21-60
Avg Total Days
$$25-75
Filing Fee (Approx)
💰 Nonpayment of Rent
Notice TypeRent and Possession Petition (no advance notice required for nonpayment)
Notice Period0 (can file immediately when rent is past due) days
Tenant Can Cure?Yes - tenant can pay and stay before judgment; also after judgment before writ execution date
Days to Hearing5-21 days
Days to Writ10 days after judgment (appeal period) days
Total Estimated Timeline21-60 days
Total Estimated Cost$100-400
⚠️ Watch Out
CRITICAL: Missouri does NOT require advance notice for nonpayment - landlord can file Rent and Possession immediately after rent is due. No demand required if tenant owes 1+ full month rent (lawsuit itself is deemed sufficient demand). Petition must include: exact street address; lease terms (quote entire lease or attach copy); amount of rent due at time of filing; allegation that rent was demanded and not paid. STRONG pay-and-stay right: before judgment tenant pays rent + costs to stay; after judgment tenant pays full judgment amount before writ execution date. Landlord CANNOT refuse payment. Two separate tracks: Rent-and-Possession (Ch. 535 for nonpayment only) vs. Unlawful Detainer (Ch. 534 for violations). Late charges may be challenged as illegal penalties unless defined as liquidated damages in lease. Entities (LLC/Corp) MUST have attorney.
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the Associate Circuit Court - Rent and Possession (Ch. 535). Pay the filing fee (~$$25-75).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Missouri eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified Missouri attorney or local legal aid organization.
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AI-generated, state-specific eviction notices, pay-or-quit letters, lease termination documents, and more — pre-filled with your tenant's information and built to Missouri requirements.
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⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
Underground Landlord
🏙️ Communities in Newton County
Cities and communities
Neosho Joplin (portion) Granby Diamond Seneca Webb City (portion)
Newton County
Screen Before You Sign
Neosho poverty rate ~24% — income verification is critical. Joplin-addressed properties may be in Newton County — verify before filing. File at 101 S. Wood St., Neosho. 40th Circuit also serves McDonald County but those file in Pineville.
A Landlord’s Guide to Renting in Newton County, Missouri
Newton County sits directly south and west of Jasper County in the southwest corner of Missouri, sharing the Joplin Metropolitan Statistical Area and the economic gravity that Joplin exerts over the entire region. The county seat is Neosho — a growing small city of approximately 13,300 that serves as Newton County’s commercial and civic center — while the county’s northern tier, including the portions of Joplin that extend across the county line, functions as an extension of the Joplin metro rather than an independent community. For landlords, Newton County is best understood as two distinct markets: Joplin-adjacent northern Newton County, where rental dynamics mirror those of Jasper County’s Joplin market, and the more rural and independent communities of Neosho and the county’s southern half.
Neosho’s Rental Market
Neosho is Newton County’s most independent rental market — a community with its own employment base in manufacturing, retail, government, and Crowder College, and a tenant pool that is primarily local rather than Joplin-dependent. Crowder College, a two-year community college, generates modest student rental demand near its campus. The city’s median gross rent of approximately $706 per month is among the more affordable of any Missouri city its size. The poverty rate in Neosho is notably high at approximately 23.8%, meaning a significant share of the tenant pool is financially vulnerable. This makes income verification particularly important in Neosho. A tenant earning $2,118 per month (three times the $706 median rent) is at the floor of qualifying income by the three-times-rent standard, and many Neosho applicants will not clear this bar without careful evaluation. Verify that applicants can sustain rent payment not just at hire but across the lease term, accounting for income volatility in lower-wage employment sectors.
The Hispanic population in Newton County is approximately 6.4% countywide — higher than the Missouri average — and concentrated in Neosho, which has a significant Spanish-speaking community. This demographic context is relevant for landlords because it affects both the applicant pool and the income documentation that may be presented. Agricultural and manufacturing workers of various immigration statuses present income through pay stubs, cash wages, or other non-standard documentation. Missouri law does not distinguish between tenant applicants based on immigration status — apply the same income verification standards consistently to all applicants while being aware of the range of documentation types that may be presented.
The Jasper-Newton County Line and Joplin
A portion of Joplin extends into Newton County. The implications for landlords are identical to those described in the Jasper County page: properties with Joplin addresses that sit in Newton County file evictions with the 40th Circuit in Neosho, not with the 29th Circuit in Joplin. If you own rental property with a Joplin mailing address, verify which county it is in before filing. The Newton County Assessor’s GIS tool makes this determination simple. Filing in the wrong circuit is a procedural error that wastes time and filing fees.
The 40th Judicial Circuit
All Newton County evictions file with the 40th Judicial Circuit at the Newton County Courthouse, 101 South Wood Street, Neosho, MO 64850. County clerk phone: (417) 451-8223. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The 40th Circuit also serves McDonald County, with a separate courthouse in Pineville for McDonald County matters. Newton County cases file exclusively in Neosho. The courthouse has wheelchair accessible entry via the north ramp and an elevator serving all floors. LLCs and business entities must retain a licensed Missouri attorney for all eviction proceedings.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about landlord-tenant law in Newton County, Missouri and is not legal advice. Always verify current requirements with the 40th Judicial Circuit Court or a licensed Missouri attorney before taking legal action. Last updated: April 2026.
