IL
IntelligentLandlord
HomeState LawsKentucky
Balanced · Rank #19 of 51

Kentucky
Landlord Laws
2026 Complete Guide

Everything a landlord needs to know about Kentucky law — eviction process, security deposits, entry rights, rent control status, and local court resources.

7
out of 10 · Balanced
📋
Notice Period
7 days
⏱️
Full Eviction
~35 days
💰
Deposit Max
None
🔑
Entry Notice
24 hrs
💳
Late Fee Cap
None
Rent Control
No
Live Market Data · RentCast

Kentucky Rental Market

Current rents by bedroom · top metro breakdowns · YoY trend

Mar 29, 2026
1 Bedroom
$825
2 Bedrooms
$1,075
3 Bedrooms
$1,563
YoY Trend
+2.1%
Days on Market
49d
Louisville E
40218
1BR$850
2BR$1,050
3BR$1,625
YoY
-15.8%
DOM
50.43d
Listings
65
Lexington E
40505
1BR$799
2BR$1,100
3BR$1,500
YoY
+20%
DOM
47.57d
Listings
79

Kentucky Eviction Process

Complete timeline for removing a non-paying or violating tenant in Kentucky

01
Serve Notice
7-day written notice for non-payment of rent. Must be delivered personally or posted on door.
02
File Complaint
If tenant fails to pay or vacate after 7 days, file an eviction complaint at your local court. Filing fee: $60–$105.
03
Court Hearing
Hearing typically scheduled 7–14 days after filing. Bring your lease, all notices, rent ledger, and any communications with the tenant.
04
Judgment & Possession
If you win, the court issues a judgment for possession. Tenant typically has 24–72 hours to vacate. If not, obtain a writ of possession.
ESTIMATED TOTAL TIMELINE
Notice (7d)
Filing + Hearing (14d)
Judgment (7d)
Writ (7d)
Average total: 35 days from notice to possession. US average is ~50 days.

Security Deposit Rules

Kentucky security deposit laws, limits, and return requirements

💰
Maximum Deposit
None
Per current statutes
📅
Return Deadline
14–45 days
After tenant vacates
📋
Itemization Required
Yes
Written itemization of deductions
📈
Interest Required
No
Required in some high-reg states

Rights & Responsibilities

What both parties are entitled to under Kentucky law

✅ Landlord Rights
No deposit cap
No rent control
⚖️ Tenant Rights
Habitability
Security deposit return in 30 days

Required Disclosures

Items you must disclose to tenants in Kentucky before or at lease signing

📄 Lead paint

Rent Control Status

Kentucky rent increase and rent control laws

No Rent Control in Kentucky
Kentucky has no statewide rent control law. You can raise rents by any amount with proper notice (typically 30 days for month-to-month, or at lease end for fixed terms).

Kentucky Landlord FAQs

Common questions answered — also powers Google rich results

How long does eviction take in Kentucky?+
The average eviction timeline in Kentucky is 35 days from notice to possession. The pay-or-quit notice period is 7 days. Filing fee is $60–$105.
What is the security deposit limit in Kentucky?+
In Kentucky, the security deposit maximum is None. Landlords must return the deposit with an itemized statement of deductions.
Does Kentucky have rent control?+
No. Kentucky has no statewide rent control. You can raise rents by any amount with proper notice — typically 30 days for month-to-month tenancies.
How much entry notice is required in Kentucky?+
Landlords in Kentucky must provide at least 24 hours written notice before entering a rental unit.

Compare Similar States

States with comparable landlord-friendliness scores

Alabama
8
30d eviction · 1 month
Alaska
6
45d eviction · 2 months
Florida
8
30d eviction · None
Georgia
8
30d eviction · None
← All StatesEviction Resources →