Mo. Rev. Stat. § 427.200: Lease of personal property allowed — writing required.

Any person may hold personal property for lease, except as otherwise provided by law. A lease shall be in writing and may be either the functional equivalent of a loan or a true lease where the lessee pays compensation for the use of the leased property which is returned to the lessor at the end of the lease. A motor vehicle lease may include the outstanding balance of a prior loan or lease of a motor vehicle used as a trade-in, as well as other items that are capitalized or amortized during the lease term. Lease payments shall be considered in the nature of rent rather than interest, and the provisions of chapter 408 relating to interest, shall not apply.