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    Kentucky Residential Lease Agreement

    Kentucky sets no statewide ceiling on security deposits, and sets no fixed return deadline either.

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    Kentucky lease rules at a glance

    Key Kentucky rules for a residential lease, with the statute behind each
    RuleWhat the law says
    Security deposit capNo state capKRS 383.580 (no amount limit)
    Deposit return deadlineNo fixed deadlineKRS 383.580(6), (7), KRS 383.500
    Late feesNo state cap · grace period: no state grace periodKRS Chapter 383 (no late-fee limit), KRS 383.565 (URLTA rental agreement terms; no late-fee limit), KRS 383.565(2) (rent payable without demand at the agreed time)
    Landlord entry noticeSet by local law onlyKRS 383.615, KRS 383.500, KRS 383.700
    Ending a month-to-month lease30 days (either side)KRS 383.695, KRS 383.195, KRS 383.500
    Rent increase noticeNo state ruleKRS 383.565, KRS 383.695, KRS 383.195
    Rent controlNo statewide rent controlKRS 383.198, KRS 383.500
    Eviction notice for unpaid rentSet by local law onlyKRS 383.660(2), KRS 383.500

    Kentucky lease disclosures checklist

    Statewide, landlords of pre-1978 housing must give the federal lead-paint disclosure, and in URLTA cities and counties the landlord must also give the tenant in writing, at or before move-in, the name and address of the manager and of the owner or agent for service and notices (40 CFR 745.107; KRS 383.585). (KRS 383.585, KRS 383.500, 40 CFR 745.107)

    • Lead-based paint disclosure, lead warning statement and EPA pamphlet — Housing built before 1978 (unless exempt under 40 CFR 745.101)42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 40 CFR Part 745 Subpart F (§ 745.107)
    • Name and address of the manager and of the owner or agent for service of process and notices (URLTA localities only) — In writing at or before the start of the tenancy; keep currentKRS 383.585

    MakeLease generates a customizable lease; add these Kentucky disclosures and terms.

    Before you sign in Kentucky

    If a deposit is withheld wrongly
    In URLTA localities a landlord who skips the separate deposit account and the move-in and move-out damage lists loses the right to keep any of the deposit (KRS 383.580(4)). (KRS 383.580(4), KRS 383.500)
    Deductions from the deposit
    In URLTA localities the landlord must inspect at move-out and give the tenant a signed, itemized list of damages with estimated repair costs before charging the deposit; state law imposes no such duty elsewhere (KRS 383.580(3), 383.500). (KRS 383.580(2), (3), KRS 383.500)
    Interest on the deposit
    Kentucky law does not require landlords to pay interest on security deposits (KRS 383.580, silent). (KRS 383.580 (silent on interest))
    Rent control and increases
    Kentucky has no rent control and no statute that names rent control, but local governments may not adopt landlord-tenant ordinances that conflict with state law or, in URLTA areas, any other ordinance on URLTA subjects (KRS 383.198, 383.500). (KRS 383.198, KRS 383.500)
    If rent goes unpaid
    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). (KRS 383.660(2), KRS 383.500)

    Kentucky lease FAQs

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

    Kentucky sets no limit on the amount of a residential security deposit, including in localities that adopted the URLTA (KRS 383.580, silent) (KRS 383.580 (no amount limit)).

    How long does a Kentucky landlord have to return a security deposit?

    Kentucky sets no fixed deadline to return a deposit; in URLTA localities the landlord must send the tenant notice of any refund due and may keep an unclaimed refund only after 60 days without a response (KRS 383.580(7)) (KRS 383.580(6), (7)).

    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)). 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 before entering a rental?

    In URLTA cities and counties, landlords must give at least two days' notice and enter only at reasonable times except in an emergency; outside those places Kentucky has no entry-notice statute and the lease governs (KRS 383.615(3), 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).

    What disclosures does a Kentucky lease need?

    Statewide, landlords of pre-1978 housing must give the federal lead-paint disclosure, and in URLTA cities and counties the landlord must also give the tenant in writing, at or before move-in, the name and address of the manager and of the owner or agent for service and notices (40 CFR 745.107; KRS 383.585). The list covers Lead-based paint disclosure, lead warning statement and EPA pamphlet and Name and address of the manager and of the owner or agent for service of process and notices (URLTA localities only).

    More on renting in Kentucky

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