Kentucky Late Fee Law
No Kentucky statute caps residential late fees or requires a grace period; the lease sets both.
Last verified: · Researched and cited by MakeLease · not yet attorney-reviewed
Kentucky late fee law at a glance
| Late-fee cap | No state capKRS Chapter 383 (no late-fee limit), KRS 383.565 (URLTA rental agreement terms; no late-fee limit) |
|---|---|
| Grace period | No state grace periodKRS 383.565(2) (rent payable without demand at the agreed time) |
| Notice before filing for unpaid rent | Set by local law onlyKRS 383.660(2), KRS 383.500 |
What Kentucky law says
Is there a limit on late fees in Kentucky?
Kentucky sets no statutory cap on residential late fees, so the fee comes from the lease (KRS ch. 383, silent) (KRS Chapter 383 (no late-fee limit)).
Does Kentucky require a grace period before a late fee?
Kentucky law sets no grace period before a late fee may be charged; the lease controls (KRS ch. 383, silent) (KRS 383.565(2) (rent payable without demand at the agreed time)).
How much notice must a Kentucky landlord give 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 Kentucky compares
31 of 51 verified jurisdictions set no statutory cap. 14 require a grace period.
Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and West Virginia follow the same rule as Kentucky; 3 of its 7 neighbors differ.
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 |
| 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 |
| Month-to-month termination | 30 days (either side)KRS 383.695, KRS 383.195, KRS 383.500 |