Laws by state / Kentucky

Kentucky landlord and tenant rules

The figures that decide most disputes between Kentucky landlords and tenants, each with a calculator and the statute behind it.

Verified against the statutes 2026-10-22By RentByState Research
RuleKentuckyStatuteTool
Maximum security depositNo statutory limitKRS 383.580Deposit rules
Deposit return deadlineNo fixed statutory return deadline. Landlord must inspect and give an itemized damage list at move-out; if a refund is due the landlord must notify the tenant at the last known address, and if the tenant does not respond within 60 days the landlord may keep the deposit. If the tenant leaves owing rent and makes no demand, the landlord may apply the deposit after 30 days.KRS 383.580Deposit rules
Interest on the depositNot requiredKRS 383.580
Maximum late feeNo statutory capKRS 383.565 (no late-fee provision); KRS Ch. 383 contains no capLate fee calculator
Landlord notice, month-to-month30 daysKRS 383.695; KRS 383.660(2); KRS 383.500Notice calculator
Tenant notice, month-to-month30 daysKRS 383.695; KRS 383.660(2); KRS 383.500Notice calculator
Rent increase noticeNo statuteKRS 383.695; KRS 383.660(2); KRS 383.500Notice calculator
Pay-or-quit notice7 daysKRS 383.695; KRS 383.660(2); KRS 383.500Notice calculator
Rent increase capNone statewide

Security deposits in Kentucky

Kentucky sets no statutory limit on the size of a security deposit. The deposit must be returned no fixed statutory return deadline. Landlord must inspect and give an itemized damage list at move-out; if a refund is due the landlord must notify the tenant at the last known address, and if the tenant does not respond within 60 days the landlord may keep the deposit. If the tenant leaves owing rent and makes no demand, the landlord may apply the deposit after 30 days.. No interest is owed on the deposit under state law. Applies only in localities that have adopted URLTA (KRS 383.500; e.g., Louisville/Jefferson, Lexington/Fayette, ~32 cities and 5 counties). Deposit must be held in a separate account at a regulated bank and tenant told the bank and account number; move-in and move-out itemized damage lists required. No interest requirement. Text read on FindLaw mirror (current as of 2025-01-01); official page is https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=35733 (could not be fetched). Statewide-URLTA bills (2024 HB 76, 2026 HB 202) were introduced; enactment status UNVERIFIED in this pass. Full deposit rules and move-out checklist.

Late fees in Kentucky

Kentucky sets no statutory cap on late fees. The amount is whatever the lease says, subject to the general rule that it must not be an unconscionable penalty. There is no statutory grace period, so the lease controls when the fee starts. Calculate the maximum fee.

Notice periods in Kentucky

A Kentucky landlord must give 30 days’ written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy, and the tenant must give the same. There is no separate statutory notice period for rent increases; the month-to-month termination notice is the practical minimum. For nonpayment, the landlord must serve a 7-day notice to pay or quit before filing for eviction. Calculate the effective date of a notice.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Kentucky?

There is no statutory cap in Kentucky; the market and the lease decide. Applies only in localities that have adopted URLTA (KRS 383.500; e.g., Louisville/Jefferson, Lexington/Fayette, ~32 cities and 5 counties). Deposit must be held in a separate account at a regulated bank and tenant told the bank and account number; move-in and move-out itemized damage lists required. No interest requirement. Text read on FindLaw mirror (current as of 2025-01-01); official page is https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=35733 (could not be fetched). Statewide-URLTA bills (2024 HB 76, 2026 HB 202) were introduced; enactment status UNVERIFIED in this pass.

What is the maximum late fee for rent in Kentucky?

There is no statutory maximum in Kentucky. No statutory cap or grace period. KRS 383.565 (terms of rental agreement) says nothing about late fees; some secondary sites claim a 10%/5-day rule under 383.565, which is not in the statute text. Fees are governed by the lease and general reasonableness. The most common lease figure nationally is 5% of monthly rent, and courts in no-cap states generally accept fees in that range while rejecting ones that look like penalties.

How much notice does a landlord have to give a tenant to move out in Kentucky?

30 days’ written notice for a month-to-month tenancy. 30 days' written notice before the periodic rental date for month-to-month; 7 days for week-to-week; 10 days for a tenancy that began after a written lease expired (KRS 383.695, URLTA localities). Outside URLTA localities KRS 383.195 (one month's notice for tenancy at will) governs - UNVERIFIED in this pass.

How long is a pay-or-quit notice in Kentucky?

7 days. The tenant can stop the eviction by paying the full amount within that time.

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