Sources checked:
Quick answer. Kentucky: no deposit cap in the law read; 30-day notice to end month-to-month; 7-day notice for unpaid rent; 48-hour entry notice; $2,500 small claims limit. 18 of 23 items are confirmed on official pages; 5 are marked not confirmed, with the page to check.
Key numbers
- Deposit limit
- No cap in the law read
- Deposit back within
- No general deadline stated
- Month-to-month notice (landlord)
- 30 days
- Unpaid rent notice
- 7 days
- Entry notice
- 48 hours
- Time to answer or appear
- At the hearing
- Judgment to writ
- 7 days
- Writ to lockout
- 7 days (from judgment)
- Small claims limit
- $2,500
Security deposit (6 of 6 confirmed)
Law read: KRS 383.580.
Need the other side served? Process serving with an affidavit of service.
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ConfirmedDeposit limit
No maximum in 383.580.
Sources: Kentucky General Assembly: KRS 383.580, Security deposits; FindLaw Codes (secondary source): KRS 383.580, current as of January 1, 2025, checked November 2026
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ConfirmedReturn deadline
383.580 sets no general return deadline. It covers a tenant who leaves owing the last month's rent (30 days) and a refund the tenant doesn't respond to within 60 days of the landlord's notice.
Sources: Kentucky General Assembly: KRS 383.580, Security deposits; FindLaw Codes (secondary source): KRS 383.580, current as of January 1, 2025, checked November 2026
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ConfirmedItemized list of deductions
At move-out the landlord lists the damage with the estimated cost of each repair; the tenant may inspect and sign or dissent in writing (383.580(3)). A move-in damage list is required too (383.580(2)).
Sources: Kentucky General Assembly: KRS 383.580, Security deposits; FindLaw Codes (secondary source): KRS 383.580, current as of January 1, 2025, checked November 2026
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ConfirmedInterest on the deposit
None stated in KRS 383.580 (FindLaw text current as of January 1, 2025: none of its seven subsections mentions interest).
Sources: Kentucky General Assembly: KRS 383.580, Security deposits; FindLaw Codes (secondary source): KRS 383.580, current as of January 1, 2025, checked November 2026
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ConfirmedWhere the deposit is held
In an account used only for deposits at a bank or lending institution regulated by Kentucky; the tenant is told where and the account number (383.580(1)).
Sources: Kentucky General Assembly: KRS 383.580, Security deposits; FindLaw Codes (secondary source): KRS 383.580, current as of January 1, 2025, checked November 2026
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ConfirmedPenalty the law states
A landlord who skips the separate account or the move-in and move-out lists may not keep any part of the deposit (383.580(4)).
Sources: Kentucky General Assembly: KRS 383.580, Security deposits; FindLaw Codes (secondary source): KRS 383.580, current as of January 1, 2025, checked November 2026
More: Security deposit rules by state · Deposit return deadline calculator
Notice periods (4 of 6 confirmed)
What the official text says about each notice. Cities and counties can add their own notice, just-cause or rent rules. Check local rules too.
| Notice | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ending month-to-month (landlord) | Written notice at least 30 days before the periodic rental date named in the notice (7 days for week-to-week). Either side may give it. | Source: Kentucky General Assembly: KRS 383.695 (Periodic tenancy), checked November 2026 (KRS 383.695(2)) |
| Ending month-to-month (tenant) | Written notice at least 30 days before the periodic rental date named in the notice (7 days for week-to-week). Either side may give it. | Source: Kentucky General Assembly: KRS 383.695 (Periodic tenancy), checked November 2026 (KRS 383.695(2)) |
| Rent increase notice | Not confirmed — check Kentucky General Assembly: KRS 383.695 (Periodic tenancy). Not in the sections read. Check KRS chapter 383. | |
| Unpaid rent notice | Written notice of nonpayment and of the intention to end the rental agreement; if rent is not paid within seven days after the notice, the landlord may end the agreement. The text reads: "If rent is unpaid when due and the tenant fails to pay rent within seven (7) days after written notice by the landlord of nonpayment and his intention to terminate the rental agreement" (effective July 13, 1984). | Sources: Justia (statute text) (secondary source): KRS 383.660, 2024 edition (PDF of the section); Justia (statute text) (secondary source): 2023 Kentucky Revised Statutes 383.660, checked November 2026 (KRS 383.660(2)) |
| Entry notice | At least two days' notice; reasonable times; except emergencies or where impracticable. | Source: Kentucky General Assembly: KRS 383.615 (Access), checked November 2026 (KRS 383.615(3)) |
| Late fee limits | Not confirmed — check Kentucky General Assembly: KRS 383.695 (Periodic tenancy). Not in the sections read. Check KRS chapter 383. |
These sections are part of Kentucky's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (KRS chapter 383). Check whether it applies where the unit is.
More: Notice periods by state · Notice date calculator
Eviction case, in order (7 of 10 confirmed)
- Notice before filing The written notice comes first; its length is in the notice table above.
Unpaid rent: Written notice of nonpayment and of the intention to end the rental agreement; if rent is not paid within seven days after the notice, the landlord may end the agreement.
- Filing the case Where the case goes and what it costs to start.
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ConfirmedCourt
The District Court of the county where the property is.
the District Court of the county in which the land or tenement, or a principal part thereof, lies.
Source: Kentucky Revised Statutes 383.210, checked November 2026
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Not confirmedFiling fee
Not confirmed — check Kentucky Revised Statutes 383.210. Not confirmed on an official page we opened.
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- The tenant's answer or appearance
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ConfirmedTime to answer or appear
The tenant answers by appearing on the trial date on the eviction notice to explain their reasons; the notice is served at least three days before trial.
you MUST APPEAR in Court to explain your reasons at this time.
Source: AOC-215 Eviction Notice: Notice of Eviction Hearing (Kentucky Court of Justice, rev. 10-25), checked November 2026
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- Hearing or trial
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ConfirmedHearing after filing
The tenant gets at least three days' notice of the trial (the earliest date here assumes service on the filing day).
at least three (3) days' notice of the time and place
Source: Kentucky Revised Statutes 383.210, checked November 2026
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- Judgment and the writ The order that lets the officer act.
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ConfirmedJudgment to writ
The warrant for possession issues once no appeal is filed by the seventh day after the finding.
Defendant having failed to file an appeal on or before the seventh day after the finding, and upon request of the Plaintiff
Source: Kentucky Court of Justice: AOC-220 Eviction Notice, Warrant for Possession (Rev. 5-14), checked November 2026
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- Lockout Carried out by an officer, not by either side.
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ConfirmedWrit to lockout
The judgment orders the tenant to leave within seven days; either side may appeal in that time.
Defendant(s) are ordered to vacate said property within seven days of the entry of this Judgment.
Source: Kentucky Court of Justice: AOC-217 Forcible Detainer Judgment (Rev. 4-23), checked November 2026
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ConfirmedWho carries out the lockout
The warrant is directed to the sheriff or a constable.
To the Sheriff or any other Constable of
Source: Kentucky Court of Justice: AOC-220 Eviction Notice, Warrant for Possession (Rev. 5-14), checked November 2026
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- Along the way Paying to stop the case, counsel and diversion programs.
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Not confirmedPaying to stop the case
Not confirmed — check Kentucky Revised Statutes 383.210. Not confirmed on an official page we opened.
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ConfirmedRight to counsel (statewide)
No statewide right to counsel for tenants in eviction cases (as of November 2026, per the National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel): its tracker of enacted laws lists no statewide law here. Local: Louisville (2021) have their own right-to-counsel laws.
An eviction right to counsel is created by an enacted law that, at a minimum:
Source: National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel (secondary source): National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel: Enacted Eviction Right to Counsel and Eviction Defense Programs (last modified November 2026), checked November 2026
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Not confirmedDiversion or mediation (statewide)
Not confirmed — check Kentucky Revised Statutes 383.210. Not confirmed on an official page we opened.
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Example: a case filed Monday, March 1, 2027
The earliest date of each stage the confirmed rules allow, from our eviction timeline estimator. Earliest under the statute; courts' calendars often take longer.
| Stage | Earliest date |
|---|---|
| Case filed | Monday, March 1, 2027 |
| Answer or appear | Thursday, March 4, 2027 |
| Hearing or trial | Thursday, March 4, 2027 |
| Judgment | Thursday, March 4, 2027 |
| Writ or warrant of possession | Thursday, March 11, 2027 |
| Earliest lockout | Thursday, March 11, 2027 |
More: Kentucky eviction process · Eviction timeline estimator
Deposit disputes: small claims
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ConfirmedSmall claims limit (for a deposit dispute)
$2,500: the most a small claims case can ask for.
Money or personal property valued at $2,500 or less, not counting interest and court costs. No more than 25 claims per calendar year for an individual, or per business location.
Filing fee to start a case: $38.
Source: Kentucky Court of Justice: Small Claims Handbook (P-6, rev. January 2025), checked November 2026
More: Kentucky small claims court
Still to confirm
- Rent increase notice: check Kentucky General Assembly: KRS 383.695 (Periodic tenancy)
- Late fee limits: check Kentucky General Assembly: KRS 383.695 (Periodic tenancy)
- Filing fee: check Kentucky Revised Statutes 383.210
- Paying to stop the case: check Kentucky Revised Statutes 383.210
- Diversion or mediation (statewide): check Kentucky Revised Statutes 383.210
General information, not legal advice. We are not lawyers, and MCC Solutions is not a law firm. The same rules apply whichever side of the lease you are on; this page describes them and doesn't take a side. Rules change, cities and counties can add their own, a lease can add terms, and the official source has the final word.
Common questions
How much can a security deposit be in Kentucky?
No maximum in 383.580.
How long does a Kentucky landlord have to return a deposit?
383.580 sets no general return deadline. It covers a tenant who leaves owing the last month's rent (30 days) and a refund the tenant doesn't respond to within 60 days of the landlord's notice. What goes with it: At move-out the landlord lists the damage with the estimated cost of each repair; the tenant may inspect and sign or dissent in writing (383.580(3)). A move-in damage list is required too (383.580(2)).
How much notice ends a month-to-month tenancy in Kentucky?
From the landlord: Written notice at least 30 days before the periodic rental date named in the notice (7 days for week-to-week). Either side may give it. From the tenant: Written notice at least 30 days before the periodic rental date named in the notice (7 days for week-to-week). Either side may give it.
What notice comes before an unpaid-rent case in Kentucky?
Written notice of nonpayment and of the intention to end the rental agreement; if rent is not paid within seven days after the notice, the landlord may end the agreement.
How much notice before a landlord enters a rental in Kentucky?
At least two days' notice; reasonable times; except emergencies or where impracticable.
How long does an eviction case take in Kentucky?
Time to answer or appear: At the hearing. Hearing after filing: At least 3 days. Judgment to writ: 7 days. Writ to lockout: 7 days (from judgment). These are the stated rules; the court's calendar often takes longer.
Can a Kentucky deposit dispute go to small claims court?
The small claims limit in our data: $2,500: the most a small claims case can ask for. The court's own page explains what kinds of cases it hears.
Related: Landlord rules by state · Kits for landlords