At a Glance
| Question | Answer | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Security deposit limit? | No statutory limit | Landlords may charge any amount |
| Rent control? | No | No statewide or local rent control |
| Required notice to raise rent? | 30 days | For month-to-month tenancies |
| Lease required in writing? | Yes, for leases > 12 months | Month-to-month can be oral |
| Landlord entry notice? | 2 days | Landlord must provide at least 2 days' notice before entry |
Security Deposits
Kentucky does not impose a statutory limit on the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit. However, the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA), which Kentucky has adopted, provides rules governing how deposits must be handled.
Landlords must return the security deposit within 30 days of the tenant vacating the unit. If there is damage to the property, the landlord has 60 days to return the deposit but must provide an itemized list of damages within 30 days.
The deposit must be held in a separate account and the landlord must disclose the location of the account to the tenant.
cite: Ky. Rev. Stat. § 383.580
Eviction Procedures
Kentucky requires landlords to follow specific legal procedures to evict a tenant. Self-help evictions (changing locks, shutting off utilities, removing belongings) are illegal.
Notice Requirements
- 7-Day Notice: For nonpayment of rent; tenant must pay within 7 days or vacate
- 15-Day Notice: For lease violations; tenant has a cure period to remedy the violation before eviction proceedings can begin
- 30-Day Notice: For terminating month-to-month tenancies without cause
Kentucky law provides tenants with the opportunity to cure lease violations before the landlord can proceed with eviction, promoting resolution without court involvement when possible.
cite: Ky. Rev. Stat. § 383.660–383.695
Rent Control
Kentucky does not have any statewide rent control laws. There are no local jurisdictions in Kentucky that have enacted rent control or rent stabilization ordinances. Landlords are free to set and raise rent at their discretion, subject to the terms of any existing lease agreement.
For month-to-month tenancies, landlords must provide at least 30 days' notice before implementing a rent increase.
cite: Ky. Rev. Stat. § 383.695
Lease Agreements
Kentucky does not require a written lease for tenancies of 12 months or less. However, any lease for longer than 12 months must be in writing to be enforceable under the Statute of Frauds.
Required Disclosures
Kentucky landlords must provide the following disclosures:
- Lead-based paint (pre-1978 properties)
- Move-in condition report: Landlords should document the condition of the unit at move-in
- Security deposit account: The name and address of the financial institution where the deposit is held
- Owner/agent identity: The name and address of the property owner or authorized agent
cite: Ky. Rev. Stat. § 383.580–383.585
Tenant Rights
Kentucky provides the following protections for tenants:
- Habitability: Landlords must maintain rental units in habitable condition, including working plumbing, heating, electricity, and structural integrity
- Retaliation protection: Landlords cannot retaliate against tenants who exercise their legal rights, such as reporting code violations or joining tenant organizations
- Discrimination protection: Fair housing laws prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, and disability
- Right to privacy: Landlords must provide at least 2 days' notice before entering a tenant's unit, except in emergencies
- Repair and deduct: Tenants may arrange for essential repairs and deduct the cost from rent if the landlord fails to address habitability issues after reasonable notice