Kentucky Laws for Landlords.
Your Resource for laws affecting landlords in Kentucky

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Landlord Legislation in Kentucky

Below is a list of laws for landlords in Kentucky. New resources, bills and articles are updated daily. You can also type in a Bill Number or Keyword in the search bar to find additional details on laws.

KY HB595 AN ACT concerning rights and obligations of landlords and tenants to a residential lease.

Introduced Session

2021 Regular Session

Summary

Repeal and reenact and create new sections of KRS Chapter 383 to enact the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act and apply it across the Commonwealth; repeal various sections of KRS Chapter 383 to conform.

Sponsors

Nima Kulkarni George Brown Josie Raymond

Last Action

to Committee on Committees (H)

View Details

https://lawsforlandlords.com/bill/ky-2021-hb595/

KY HB30 AN ACT relating to landlords and tenants.

Introduced Session

2021 Regular Session

Summary

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 383.200 to 383.285 to allow a landlord, or agent of a landlord to file and practice a forcible detainer action.

Sponsors

Myron Dossett

Last Action

to Committee on Committees (H)

View Details

https://lawsforlandlords.com/bill/ky-2021-hb30/

KY HB550 AN ACT relating to the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.

Introduced Session

2018 Regular Session

Summary

Repeal, reenact, and amend KRS 383.500 to apply the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act on a statewide basis; repeal, reenact, and amend the various sections of KRS 383.500 to 383.715 constituting that Act without substantive change.

Sponsors

McKenzie Cantrell

Last Action

to Judiciary (H)

View Details

https://lawsforlandlords.com/bill/ky-2018-hb550/

KY HB510 AN ACT relating to the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.

Introduced Session

2017 Regular Session

Summary

Repeal, reenact, and amend KRS 383.500 to apply the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act on a statewide basis; repeal, reenact, and amend the various sections of KRS 383.505 to 383.715 constituting that Act without substantive change.

Sponsors

Jim Wayne

Last Action

to Judiciary (H)

View Details

https://lawsforlandlords.com/bill/ky-2017-hb510/

KY HB309 AN ACT relating to tenancies in real property.

Introduced Session

2017 Regular Session

Summary

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 383 to provide that, after the effective date of this Act, residential tenants who hold a domestic violence order, a pretrial release no-contact order, or an interpersonal protective order may terminate a lease with at least 30 days' notice to landlords, while the lease continues for co-tenants; establish civil action for a landlord's economic losses due to termination against persons restrained by protective orders; for those tenants or applicants for tenancy who hold an emergency protective order, a domestic violence order, a pretrial release no-contact order, an interpersonal protective order, or a temporary interpersonal protective order, those orders cannot serve as a basis for denying a lease and new locks may be installed by the tenant; create a new section of KRS Chapter 383 to provide that, after the effective date of this Act, rental agreements shall not penalize tenants for requesting assistance from emergency services.

Sponsors

Melinda Prunty Addia Wuchner Regina Huff McKenzie Cantrell Angie Hatton Joni Jenkins Wesley Morgan Attica Scott Diane St Onge Susan Westrom Jill York

Last Action

signed by Governor (Acts, ch. 191)

View Details

https://lawsforlandlords.com/bill/ky-2017-hb309/

KY HB380 AN ACT relating to the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.

Introduced Session

2016 Regular Session

Summary

Amend KRS 383.500 to apply the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act on a statewide basis; repeal, reenact, and amend the various sections of KRS Chapter 383 constituting that Act without substantive change.

Sponsors

James Glenn Linda Belcher Dennis Horlander Mary Marzian Arnold Simpson

Last Action

to Judiciary (S)

View Details

https://lawsforlandlords.com/bill/ky-2016-hb380/

KY HB41 AN ACT relating to tenancies in real property.

Introduced Session

2016 Regular Session

Summary

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 383 to provide that, after the effective date of this Act, residential tenants who hold a domestic violence order, a pretrial release no contact order, or an interpersonal protective order may terminate a lease with at least 30 days notice to landlords, while the lease continues for co-tenants; establish civil action for a landlord's economic losses due to termination against persons restrained by protective orders; for those tenants or applicants for tenancy who hold an emergency protective order, a domestic violence order, a pretrial release no contact order, an interpersonal protective order, or a temporary interpersonal protective order, those orders cannot serve as a basis for denying a lease and new locks may be requested at the tenant's expense; create a new section of KRS Chapter 383 to provide that, after the effective date of this Act, rental agreements shall not penalize tenants for requesting assistance from emergency services.

Sponsors

Joni Jenkins Kelly Flood Mary Marzian Tom Riner Rita Smart Gerald Watkins Jim Wayne

Last Action

to Judiciary (S)

View Details

https://lawsforlandlords.com/bill/ky-2016-hb41/

KY HB368 AN ACT relating to the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.

Introduced Session

2015 Regular Session

Summary

Amend KRS 383.500 to apply the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act on a statewide basis; repeal and reenact the various sections of KRS Chapter 383 constituting that Act without change.

Sponsors

Mary Marzian Johnny Bell Jim Wayne

Last Action

to Judiciary (H)

View Details

https://lawsforlandlords.com/bill/ky-2015-hb368/

KY HB405 AN ACT relating to tenancies in real property.

Introduced Session

2015 Regular Session

Summary

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 383 to provide that, after the effective date of this Act, residential tenants who hold a domestic violence order, a pretrial release no contact order, or a stalking restraining order may terminate a lease with at least thirty (30) days notice to landlords, while the lease continues for co-tenants; establishe civil action for a landlord's economic losses due to termination against persons restrained by protective orders; for those tenants or applicants for tenancy who hold an emergency protective order, a domestic violence order, a pretrial release no contact order, or a stalking restraining order, those orders cannot serve as a basis for denying a lease and new locks may be requested at the tenant's expense; create a new section of KRS Chapter 383 to provide that, after the effective date of this Act, rental agreements shall not penalize tenants for requesting assistance from emergency services.

Sponsors

Joni Jenkins

Last Action

posted in committee

View Details

https://lawsforlandlords.com/bill/ky-2015-hb405/

KY HB142 AN ACT relating to landlords and tenants.

Introduced Session

2011 Regular Session

Summary

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 383 to provide that the victim of an assault, domestic violence, or stalking may terminate their lease or contract on their dwelling upon thirty days written notice to the landlord accompanied with a copy of a judicial no contact order issued against the perpetrator of the offense.

Sponsors

Joni Jenkins David Osborne Tom Riner

Last Action

to Judiciary (H)

View Details

https://lawsforlandlords.com/bill/ky-2011-hb142/

Must-Know Kentucky Landlord-Tenant Laws

In the U.S., there are nearly 48.5 million rental units. A little over half of these rental units are owned by business entities, while the rest are owned by individual investors.

There are a lot of good reasons to own rental property in, including providing a passive income source as well as the potential for property value appreciation. Many Americans have managed to make rental property ownership their full-time job, while others might keep a few rental properties as a way of making extra income.

If you are considering becoming a landlord, you likely have a lot of questions. What regulations do landlords need to know? What should I know as a landlord in general?

Understanding landlord-tenant laws is essential for protecting yourself legally and financially. Here’s a brief guide for self-managing landlords regarding some of the most important federal and state laws.

The Fair Housing Act

The Fair Housing Act is one of the two major federal laws that impact all property managers and landlords across the country. This is a law that prohibits discrimination due to national origin, race, religion, color, disability, sex or familial status. This law applies to:

Renting or buying a home
Seeking housing assistance
Getting a mortgage
Engaging in other housing-related activities

This law extends beyond leasing where landlords are concerned. It also applies to advertising, meaning that it is illegal to market your properties to any specific group of people.

Fair Credit Reporting Act

The Fair Credit Reporting Act is a law that requires landlords to do a number of things when running a credit check. These include receiving permission from an applicant to run a credit report, informing the applicant if their credit report was the basis for adverse action or denial, and providing specific information regarding the credit reporting agency they used

Law Paint Law

It is required by landlords under federal law to disclose the presence of lead paint. They are not required to remove lead paint under federal law, but state laws might dictate otherwise. It’s important to learn about your state and municipality laws regarding lead paint in addition to the federal law.

Discrimination Law

Beyond the Federal Fair Housing Act, state and local laws might provide additional protection beyond the federal law. These might extend protections to people based on their sexual orientation, age, marital status, political association and even hairstyle.

Tenant Duties

While your tenant is responsible for some things, you should know what those things are as the landlord. Then, you can include those duties in your lease agreement. If a tenant doesn’t fulfill their duties, you may be able to provide a notice to vacate in law. Your tenants need to comply with local health and building codes to keep themselves and others safe. They also need to dispose of garbage safely and legally, and they need to use the property reasonably. That means living in the property, but unreasonable uses could include conducting business. Tenants are also responsible for keeping the property clean on a daily basis. They also can’t do anything that would disturb their neighbors, especially if you own a duplex or a similar property. A tenant must also ensure their guests also comply with these requirements. And whenever your tenant has any issues, they must notify you so that you can correct the problem.

Security Deposit Limit

Before a tenant moves in, you can charge them a security deposit. Fortunately, doesn’t have any limitations regarding the amount the deposit can be. You can set an amount based on the property’s rent or value. And you can charge a security deposit for short-term or long-term leases. Then, you can hold onto that amount for the duration of the tenant’s stay. While you can use the money from the deposit, it’s smart to keep it in a separate account. When the tenant moves out, you can make sure you have enough money to pay them back. You can outline the terms of the security deposit, such as the amount and when you will return it, in your lease agreement. That way, you and your tenant both understand the terms, and you can use similar language if you ever buy property in another state.

A Legal Lease Document

Each state and some municipalities might have laws regarding the lease contract. Rental contracts must abide by all laws and be legally written. It is necessary to indicate tenant names, monthly rental rates, and leasing periods clearly.

In some jurisdictions, it is required that certain legal disclosures be included in the lease document. Working with a lawyer to produce your rental contract can help ensure that the lease provides all of the required information and doesn’t break any federal, state, or local laws.

Required Disclosures

It is common in many states to require landlords to inform tenants about individual landlord policies, certain state laws, or specific information about the rental. It might be required that this is disclosed within the lease itself or in additional documentation.

It’s important to look into your state’s requirements about disclosures. However, some commonly required disclosures include notice of recent deaths, mold, meth contamination, or other safety or health hazards.

Providing a Safe Environment

One important landlord-tenant law has to do with the habitability of the rental unit. The definition of “safe, habitable condition” might be different between states. For this reason, you must familiarize yourself with the laws for landlords in your location.

Typically, this means that the property cannot have serious deficiencies. It also means that fixtures, appliances, heating, and plumbing need to be in working order. You also cannot rent out a property that is infested with pests or insects.

Landlords are usually responsible for dealing with infestations even if the outbreak happens after the tenant moves in. However, in many states, this can be avoided by specifying that the renter is responsible for pest control.

Laws About Making Repairs

In the lease agreement, it will be outlined that the tenants are responsible for reporting necessary repairs. It then becomes the landlord’s responsibility to complete the repairs within an appropriate amount of time.

If a landlord doesn’t make a repair in a timely manner in a way that impacts the safety or health of a tenant, a tenant might have the right to withhold rent.

Security Deposits

It is common for landlords to require a security deposit from the tenant. This is in order to cover the costs of any damage the tenant causes or if they fail to pay rent. A landlord must refund the security deposit unless it is needed to cover the cost of fixing property damage or covering default rent payments.

In some states, how the security deposit is kept is dictated by the law. It is also typically required that an itemized list of deductions must be provided to the tenant if the landlord is using some of the deposit for these purposes.

The unused portion of the deposit must be returned and the itemized statement must be provided. If they aren’t, the landlord can face financial and legal repercussions.

Renters Right To Privacy

Most landlord-tenant rules and regulations cover the right to quiet enjoyment of a tenant. This means that it is their right to live on a property undisturbed. The landlord must give proper notice before entering the rental unit, which is usually 24 to 48 hours unless there is an emergency.

Landlords can only enter the rental property for valid reasons and at a reasonable time of day after giving notice.

Landlord-Tenant Laws: Essential For Protecting Yourself Legally and Financially

Without a good understanding of landlord-tenant laws, you can find yourself in a mess of legal and financial trouble. It’s therefore very important to familiarize yourself with the federal, state, and local laws regarding the rights of tenants and the responsibilities of landlords.

Are you looking for more valuable resources to serve as a guide for self-managing landlords? You can find more resources and guides here.

Reviewing Laws for Landlords

Understanding laws for landlords is essential for keeping your properties up and running. It can also protect you and your finances if you have a problematic tenant or experience other issues. Whether you just bought your first rental property or are looking to expand, you should understand how these laws affect you. That way, you won’t have to worry about losing everything. Do you want to learn more about laws for landlords? Let us know.

Please understand that because of the nature of the topic, this page has been written in a generalized form. Further guidance should be sought on the topic being searched by the landlord.

Kentucky Landlord Legislation Blog

Governor’s Latest Executive Order

KEY FACTS: Issued: October 15, 2020
Expires: November 14, 2020 Caveat:
Late Fee Prohibition Remains in Effect
Through December 31, 2020 KEY ISSUES:
Rent Demands: Extends 30-day rent
demand until November 14th The 30-day
rent demand applies to ALL Landlords
(residential and commercial). Late Fees:
The Order establishes a ban […]

Governor’s Latest Executive Order

A Guide to Section 8 for Landlords

Over 10 million Americans are afforded federal rental assistance under a program known as Section 8 housing. This federal rental assistance can be used all over the United States, which means that all US landlords should have a basic understanding of what Section 8 is and how it works. In short, Section 8 housing provides a solution for low-income families and individuals who are in need of housing. But how does Section 8 housing work for landlords? If you’ve poked around online

Pros and Cons of Month-to-Month Rental Leases

The real estate market is in a particularly unusual state in 2021 as the overall economy seeks to correct itself during an ongoing pandemic. One of the more surprising results of the past year is that while housing prices are going up, the cost to rent is, in many places, going down or stabilizing. Now is a great time for property owners to analyze the kind of leasing agreements they typically offer. Is month-to-month rental a better solution in the present,

A Guide to Squatter Rights- What Landlords Absolutely Need to Know

If you’re a landlord who has recently discovered the presence of unknown tenants living in one of your properties, you’re probably wondering what to do next. Is this trespassing? Can you simply kick them out? The answer is not quite so simple, assuming these unexpected tenants are squatters. We tend to think of squatters in basic, colloquial terms: people who have moved into a property they don’t own or rent and live there without permission. However, you’ve probably also heard

A Complete Guide to Every Step in the Eviction Process

As a landlord, your hope is to bring on high-quality tenants that abide by the lease and pay rent on time each month. However, you might be surprised at how likely it is that you could find yourself going through the eviction process at some point in your tenure. In the past few years, US eviction data was compiled and revealed just how common evictions actually are. In fact, in 2016 alone, 2.3 million evictions were filed in America. Our goal is

The Landlord’s Guide to Rent Collection

There are over 10 million individual landlords in the United States, each with its own methods for rent collection. How a landlord collects rent, what they charge, and how they deal with late payments has to do both with their personal preferences and the laws in their state. Renting is a great way to earn side money or even a full liveable income, but there are many things to consider before you begin looking for tenants. If you have a property you’re interested

What to Know Before Creating an LLC for a Rental Property

Interested in joining the more than 11 million real estate investors making money off rental properties? It’s a form of potentially passive income with great appeal, but like any investment, it also comes with potential risks. One way to mitigate risk is by setting up a business that would own the property rather than buying it in your own name. Creating an LLC for a rental property can help manage income, taxes, and liability for your rental business. If you’ve been wondering,