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Kentucky security deposit law

Source: KRS 383.580 (applies only where a city or county has adopted the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, KRS 383.500) · Checked against the statute

Maximum deposit
No statutory limit.
Return deadline
Kentucky's statute doesn't set a deadline for returning the deposit; it sets time limits for when the landlord may keep it instead.
If the landlord keeps it wrongly
No multiple damages. A landlord who didn't use a separate account and didn't provide the move-in and move-out lists may not keep any of the deposit. A tenant may sue in District Court, but only over items they disputed in writing on the move-out list.

Calculate your Kentucky deadline

Choose your state and move-out date to see when your landlord must return the deposit.

Time limits that apply

Kentucky's statute doesn't set a deadline for returning the deposit; it sets time limits for when the landlord may keep it instead.

  • After 30 days the landlord may take the deposit from the account and apply it to the debt.
  • The landlord must send notice of the refund amount to the tenant's last known address. If the tenant doesn't respond within 60 days after the notice is sent, the landlord may keep the deposit.

The refund notice goes to the tenant's last known or reasonably determinable address. If the tenant doesn't respond within 60 days, the landlord may keep the deposit.

Itemized list of deductions

Required: Yes. At move-out the landlord must inspect and prepare a list of damage with estimated repair costs. The tenant may inspect, and both sign; a tenant who disagrees must list the disputed items in writing.

What can and can't be deducted

The statute doesn't define wear and tear. Kentucky Legal Aid says the landlord may deduct only for damage beyond normal wear and tear that wasn't there at move-in, plus unpaid rent.

Nonrefundable fees

The statute is silent on nonrefundable fees.

Interest, bank account and move-in inspection

  • Interest required: No. No interest requirement.
  • Separate account required: Yes. Deposits must be kept in an account used only for deposits at a regulated bank. The tenant must be told where the account is and the account number.
  • Move-in inspection required: Yes. Before taking the deposit, the landlord must give a list of existing damage with estimated repair costs; the tenant may inspect, and both sign.

Penalties and bad faith

No multiple damages. A landlord who didn't use a separate account and didn't provide the move-in and move-out lists may not keep any of the deposit. A tenant may sue in District Court, but only over items they disputed in writing on the move-out list.

The statute sets no bad-faith presumption.

Getting your deposit back in court

Small Claims Division of District Court hears claims of $2,500 or less. Court information

Before filing, many tenants send a written demand first. Write a Kentucky demand letter →

City and county rules

  • Louisville-Jefferson County: Has adopted URLTA, so KRS 383.580's deposit rules apply.
  • Lexington-Fayette County: Has adopted URLTA, so KRS 383.580's deposit rules apply.
  • Covington: Has adopted URLTA, so KRS 383.580's deposit rules apply.
  • Newport: Has adopted URLTA, so KRS 383.580's deposit rules apply.
  • Oldham County: Has adopted URLTA, so KRS 383.580's deposit rules apply.

Also good to know

  • There are no statewide deposit rules. KRS 383.580 applies only where URLTA was adopted. As of January 2025, Kentucky Legal Aid lists Barbourville, Bellevue, Bromley, Covington, Dayton, Elsmere, Florence, Georgetown, Lexington-Fayette County, Louisville-Jefferson County, Ludlow, Melbourne, Morgantown, Newport, Oldham County, Pulaski County, Shelbyville, Silver Grove, Southgate, Taylors Mill, and Woodlawn. Elsewhere, the lease and general contract law control.
  • Local governments may adopt URLTA only as written and may not pass other ordinances on the same subjects (KRS 383.500).
  • 2026 bills to make URLTA statewide (e.g. HB 202) did not pass.

Sources

Laws change. This page was checked against the sources above on October 11, 2026. It is legal information, not legal advice; see our methodology.