Defendant may recover compensation for improvements, when.

524.160. If a judgment or decree of dispossession shall begiven in an action for the recovery of possession of premises, orin any real action in favor of a person having a better titlethereto, against a person in the possession, held by himself orby his tenant, of any lands, tenements or hereditaments, suchperson may recover, in a court of competent jurisdiction,compensation for all improvements made by him in good faith onsuch lands, tenements or hereditaments, prior to his having hadnotice of such adverse title.

(RSMo 1939 § 1548)

Prior revisions: 1929 § 1384; 1919 § 1834; 1909 § 2401

(1979) A claim under this section must fail if it can be shown the improvements were made with notice to an adverse title. Morris v. Ulbright (A.), 591 S.W.2d 245.