Eviction notices in Kentucky

Kentucky's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act applies only in cities and counties that adopted it (KRS 383.500). There, if rent is unpaid, the landlord may end the lease if the tenant does not pay within 7 days after a written notice of nonpayment and intent to terminate (KRS 383.660(2)). Elsewhere, state statute sets no specific pre-filing notice for unpaid rent; the lease controls, and a tenancy at will or by sufferance requires 1 month's written notice (KRS 383.195). Kentucky Legal Aid says that if a written lease does not say how much time the tenant has to move, the tenant has 30 days from the notice, and a tenant with no lease should get 1 month's notice.

Can the tenant pay to stop it? In URLTA localities the tenant can stop the termination by paying the rent within 7 days after the notice.

Type:

Pay or move out

Notice period:

7 days

Law:

KRS 383.660(2); 383.500; 383.195

In URLTA localities the written notice must describe the breach and say the lease ends at least 14 days after receipt; the statute also says the lease ends if the breach is not fixed in 15 days (KRS 383.660(1)). Outside URLTA localities no statute sets a lease-violation notice; the lease controls.

Chance to fix it: In URLTA localities, if the breach can be fixed by repairs, paying damages or otherwise and the tenant fixes it before the date in the notice, the lease does not end.

Type:

Fix it or move out

Notice period:

14 days

Law:

KRS 383.660(1)

In URLTA localities, if substantially the same violation recurs within 6 months, the landlord may end the lease on at least 14 days' written notice with no chance to cure (KRS 383.660(1)).

When it applies: Substantially the same violation happens again within 6 months after a notice (URLTA localities).

Notice period:

14 days

Law:

KRS 383.660(1)

Do not count the day of the triggering act; count the last day unless it is a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday or a day the filing office is closed, in which case the period runs to the next open day. For periods under 7 days, intermediate weekends and holidays are skipped (KRS 446.030(1)(a)).

Under URLTA, the tenant receives a notice when it is delivered by hand or mailed by registered or certified mail to the address the tenant designated, or else to the last known residence (KRS 383.560(3)(c)); Kentucky Legal Aid says in URLTA areas the landlord may also hand the notice to any adult living in the home. In its general answer for other areas, Kentucky Legal Aid says the landlord can hand the notice to the tenant or another adult living in the home, post it at the home, or mail it by certified or registered mail.

The landlord files a forcible detainer complaint in District Court; the tenant must get at least 3 days' notice of the trial (KRS 383.210, 383.215). Either side may appeal within 7 days. If no appeal is filed by the 7th day, the court issues a warrant of restitution directing the sheriff or constable to put the landlord in possession (KRS 383.245, 383.255). In URLTA localities a landlord may not take possession except as the Act allows, including by cutting essential services (383.690), and an unlawfully ousted tenant may recover up to 3 months' rent plus attorney fees (383.655). Kentucky Legal Aid says a landlord must file in court and cannot change locks, cut utilities or remove belongings. To appeal, the party must also deposit with the circuit court clerk the rent owing from the start of the forcible detainer case and all future rent as it comes due during the appeal; once the appeal is perfected by that payment, further proceedings are stayed (KRS 383.255).

• Louisville-Jefferson County: Has adopted URLTA, so the 7-day nonpayment and 14-day cure notices apply.
• Lexington-Fayette County: Has adopted URLTA, so the 7-day nonpayment and 14-day cure notices apply.
• Northern Kentucky URLTA cities: Bellevue, Bromley, Covington, Dayton, Elsmere, Florence, Ludlow, Melbourne, Newport, Silver Grove, Southgate, Taylor Mill and Woodlawn have adopted URLTA.
• Other URLTA localities: Barbourville, Georgetown, Oldham County, Pulaski County and Shelbyville have adopted URLTA; Kentucky Legal Aid's security-deposit page (updated 5/5/2026) also lists Morgantown.

• Localities may adopt URLTA only in full and without amendment, and may pass no other ordinance on the same subjects (KRS 383.500); since 2024 no local landlord-tenant ordinance may conflict with state law (KRS 383.198).
• 2026 bills on eviction records (HB 338, SB 83) were not enacted.

• Kentucky notice to end a month-to-month tenancy (no-cause notice by tenant or landlord)
• Kentucky security deposit law: deadlines after move-out
• Federal 30-day notice for covered properties (CARES Act)

• KRS 383.660 Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• KRS 383.500 Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• KRS 383.560 Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• KRS 383.690 Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• KRS 383.655 Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• KRS 383.195 Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• KRS 383.198 Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• KRS 383.210 Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• KRS 383.215 Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• KRS 383.245 Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• KRS 383.255 Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• KRS 446.030 Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• Kentucky Legal Aid (kyjustice.org): Evictions Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• Kentucky General Assembly: HB 338 (2026) record Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• Kentucky Legal Aid (kyjustice.org): Security Deposits (URLTA places), updated 5/5/2026 Retrieved October 13, 2026.

Laws change. This page was checked against the sources above on October 13, 2026. It is legal information, not legal advice; if you have an eviction case, contact your state's legal aid. See our methodology.