Does the URLTA apply to your Kentucky lease?
Kentucky adopted the URLTA as a local option (KRS 383.500): it governs only in cities and counties that enacted it by ordinance, and an adopting government must take the entire Act without modification. Jurisdictions that have adopted it include Louisville/Jefferson County, Lexington/Fayette County, Covington, Newport, Florence, Georgetown, Shelbyville, Oldham County, Pulaski County, and several smaller cities. Outside those areas, common law and the general forcible-entry-and-detainer statutes apply, and the URLTA day-counts below do not. Every lease should still identify the parties, property, rent, and term, and be in writing where the term exceeds one year (KRS 371.010).
Kentucky security deposit rules under the URLTA
In URLTA jurisdictions, KRS 383.580 governs deposits:
- No cap on the deposit amount.
- Separate account + disclosure: the deposit must be held in a separate account used only for deposits at a regulated institution, and the landlord must disclose to the tenant the location of the account and the account number.
- Move-in list: before collecting a deposit, the landlord must give the tenant a written list of existing damage with estimated repair costs; the tenant may inspect, and both should sign it.
- Return: the deposit must be returned with an itemized statement of deductions. A landlord who fails to keep the deposit in a separate account or to provide the move-in list forfeits the right to retain any part of the deposit.
For a multi-state comparison, see security deposit rules every landlord must know.
Late fees and rent rules in Kentucky
Kentucky sets no statutory cap on residential late fees. A late fee must be written into the lease and be reasonable rather than a penalty; district courts commonly scrutinize fees above roughly 10% of monthly rent, but that is judicial practice, not a statutory limit.
Notice periods to end or not renew a Kentucky lease
URLTA notice periods (KRS Chapter 383):
| Situation | Notice | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Terminate month-to-month tenancy | 30 days before the periodic rental date | KRS 383.695 |
| Nonpayment of rent | 7-day written notice | KRS 383.660(2) |
| Other material lease violation | 14-day notice with a right to cure | KRS 383.660(1) |
Self-help eviction is unlawful; the landlord must use the forcible-detainer process after proper notice.
What disclosures must Kentucky landlords provide?
Key URLTA disclosures:
- Deposit account (KRS 383.580): the location of the separate deposit account and the account number.
- Move-in damage list: the signed list of existing damage described above.
- Lead-based paint (federal): the disclosure, records, and EPA pamphlet for pre-1978 housing.
What happens if a Kentucky lease is missing required terms?
Specific failures carry specific consequences in URLTA jurisdictions:
- No separate account or no move-in list: the landlord forfeits the right to keep any part of the deposit (KRS 383.580).
- Improper nonpayment notice: a forcible-detainer action can be dismissed if the 7-day notice does not comply with KRS 383.660.
Remember that in non-adopting jurisdictions the URLTA does not apply, so confirm which law governs before relying on these figures.
Managing rentals in more than one state? Compare Kentucky's rules with our Ohio and Tennessee lease requirement guides.
Full Kentucky disclosure checklist
For a dedicated, statute-by-statute rundown of every notice a Kentucky landlord must give at signing, see our Kentucky required lease disclosures checklist.
Create your Kentucky lease agreement
LeaseHelper's AI generator produces real, state-specific lease agreements for all 50 states — including one tailored to Kentucky.
Create your Kentucky lease agreement →Frequently asked questions
Does the Kentucky URLTA apply everywhere in the state?
No. Kentucky's URLTA is a local option (KRS 383.500) and applies only in cities and counties that adopted it — such as Louisville/Jefferson County, Lexington/Fayette County, Covington, Newport, and Florence. Elsewhere, common law and the general eviction statutes govern.
Is there a security deposit limit in Kentucky?
No. In URLTA jurisdictions there is no cap, but the deposit must be held in a separate account and the landlord must disclose the account's location and number, and provide a signed move-in damage list (KRS 383.580).
Is there a late-fee limit in Kentucky?
No. Kentucky does not cap residential late fees by statute; the fee must be in the lease and reasonable. Courts often question fees above roughly 10% of monthly rent, but that is judicial practice, not a statutory cap.
How much notice is required to end a month-to-month tenancy in Kentucky?
In URLTA jurisdictions, 30 days before the periodic rental date (KRS 383.695). Nonpayment of rent requires a separate 7-day notice (KRS 383.660).
What must a Kentucky landlord disclose about the security deposit?
The landlord must hold the deposit in a separate account and disclose the location of that account and the account number to the tenant, and must provide a signed list of existing damage before collecting the deposit (KRS 383.580).
Official sources
Primary statutes and official government references for this guide. Statutes change — always confirm against the current official text before you act.