Kentucky Eviction Notice Law
In cities and counties that adopted the URLTA, serve a written 7-day notice of nonpayment stating the landlord will end the rental agreement if rent is not paid; elsewhere in Kentucky no statute sets a pre-filing notice period, so follow the lease (KRS 383.660(2), 383.500). In URLTA cities and counties, serve a written notice describing the breach that ends the agreement no sooner than 14 days after receipt and let the tenant cure within 15 days; a repeat within six months allows a 14-day notice with no cure (KRS 383.660(1), 383.500).
Last verified: · Researched and cited by MakeLease · not yet attorney-reviewed
Not legal advice. A defective notice can restart an eviction case; ask a Kentucky attorney or court self-help center before serving one. See our disclaimer.
Kentucky eviction notice rules at a glance
| Notice for unpaid rent | Set by local law onlyKRS 383.660(2), KRS 383.500 |
|---|---|
| Notice for a lease violation | No state ruleKRS 383.660(1), KRS 383.500 |
| Ending a month-to-month tenancy (no-fault) | 30 days (either side)KRS 383.695, KRS 383.195, KRS 383.500 |
What Kentucky law says
What notice must a Kentucky landlord give before filing an eviction for unpaid rent?
In cities and counties that adopted the URLTA, serve a written 7-day notice of nonpayment stating the landlord will end the rental agreement if rent is not paid; elsewhere in Kentucky no statute sets a pre-filing notice period, so follow the lease (KRS 383.660(2), 383.500).
How much notice is required for a lease violation in Kentucky?
In URLTA cities and counties, serve a written notice describing the breach that ends the agreement no sooner than 14 days after receipt and let the tenant cure within 15 days; a repeat within six months allows a 14-day notice with no cure (KRS 383.660(1), 383.500).
How much notice ends a month-to-month tenancy in Kentucky?
In URLTA areas either party ends a month-to-month tenancy with written notice at least 30 days before a rental due date, and elsewhere a landlord must give one month's written notice to end a tenancy at will (KRS 383.695(2), 383.195).
Local rules in Kentucky
Kentucky's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (KRS 383.505–383.705), including the security-deposit rules in KRS 383.580, applies only in cities and counties that have adopted it (KRS 383.500). Per kyjustice.org (list as of 1/2025): Barbourville, Bellevue, Bromley, Covington, Dayton, Elsmere, Florence, Lexington-Fayette County, Georgetown, Louisville-Jefferson County, Ludlow, Melbourne, Morgantown, Newport, Oldham County, Pulaski County, Shelbyville, Silver Grove, Southgate, Taylor Mill and Woodlawn. Elsewhere, deposits are governed by the lease and general contract law.
Other Kentucky rules
| Security deposit limit | No state capKRS 383.580 (no amount limit) |
|---|---|
| Deposit return deadline | No fixed deadlineKRS 383.580(6), (7), KRS 383.500 |
| Late-fee cap | No state capKRS Chapter 383 (no late-fee limit), KRS 383.565 (URLTA rental agreement terms; no late-fee limit) |
| Entry notice | Set by local law onlyKRS 383.615, KRS 383.500, KRS 383.700 |
| Rent-increase notice | No state ruleKRS 383.565, KRS 383.695, KRS 383.195 |