Tenant Rulebook
General information from state law and official guides, not legal advice. Cities and counties can add their own rules.

All states

Landlord and tenant rules in Kentucky

The statewide rules on deposits, notice, entry and rent in Kentucky, mainly from the Kentucky Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (KRS 383.500 to 383.715), KRS 383.195 and KRS 65.875. Checked 29 October 2026.

Security deposits and fees

Security deposit limit

No statewide cap1KRS 383.580

Kentucky law sets no maximum deposit. The only state deposit rules are in the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, which applies only where it has been adopted locally, and that section sets no cap.

Deposit return deadline

No fixed deadline (URLTA areas)1KRS 383.580(6), (7)

The law sets no general deadline to return a deposit. If a tenant who owes no rent is due a refund, the landlord must send notice of the amount to the tenant's last known address and may keep the deposit if there is no response within 60 days. If a tenant leaves owing last month's rent and does not ask for the deposit, the landlord may apply it to the debt after 30 days. Applies only where the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act has been adopted locally.

Interest on deposits

Not required1KRS 383.580(1)

Deposits must be held in a separate bank account used only for deposits, but the law does not require the landlord to pay interest. Applies only where the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act has been adopted locally.

Late fees

Not yet confirmed

We have not confirmed this from an official source, so we show no figure.

Notice, entry and rent

Tenant ending a month-to-month tenancy

30 days (URLTA areas)2,3KRS 383.695(2)

The landlord or the tenant may end a month-to-month tenancy by written notice given at least 30 days before the periodic rental date in the notice. Applies only where the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act has been adopted locally.

Landlord ending a month-to-month tenancy

30 days (URLTA areas)2,4,3KRS 383.695(2), 383.195

The landlord or the tenant may end a month-to-month tenancy by written notice given at least 30 days before the periodic rental date in the notice. Applies only where the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act has been adopted locally. Where the Act is not in effect, a landlord may end a tenancy at will or by sufferance with one month's written notice.

Notice of a rent increase

Not yet confirmed

We have not confirmed this from an official source, so we show no figure.

Statewide rent limits

None statewide, local governments barred by law5KRS 65.875

Only the General Assembly may pass laws controlling rents on private property. Cities and counties may still run housing authority programs and programs under federal grants.

Landlord entry

2 days (URLTA areas)6,3KRS 383.615(3)

Except in an emergency or where impracticable, the landlord must give at least two days' notice of intent to enter, and may enter only at reasonable times. Applies only where the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act has been adopted locally.

Notice for unpaid rent

7 days (URLTA areas)7,3KRS 383.660(2)

If rent is unpaid when due and the tenant does not pay within seven days after written notice of nonpayment and of the landlord's intent to terminate, the landlord may end the rental agreement. Applies only where the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act has been adopted locally.

Many cities and counties add their own rules, such as rent stabilization or longer notice periods, and a lease can give a tenant more protection than the law requires. Check your local housing office or a legal aid group before you act.

Sources

  1. KRS 383.580, Security deposits, Kentucky General Assembly, Legislative Research Commissionofficial
  2. KRS 383.695, Periodic tenancy and holdover remedies, Kentucky General Assembly, Legislative Research Commissionofficial
  3. KRS 383.500, Local adoption of the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, Kentucky General Assembly, Legislative Research Commissionofficial
  4. KRS 383.195, Termination of tenancy at will or by sufferance, Kentucky General Assembly, Legislative Research Commissionofficial
  5. KRS 65.875, Prohibition against local rent control on private property, Kentucky General Assembly, Legislative Research Commissionofficial
  6. KRS 383.615, Access, Kentucky General Assembly, Legislative Research Commissionofficial
  7. KRS 383.660, Tenant noncompliance and failure to pay rent, Kentucky General Assembly, Legislative Research Commissionofficial

"Secondary" sources reproduce the official text. We use them only where the official site could not be read.