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Eviction rules depend on the state. Which state is the rental in?

Kentucky eviction laws

Notices, deadlines, court and tenant rights in Kentucky — in plain English.

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Overview

The court case
Forcible detainer action
Court
Kentucky District Court in the county where the property is located
Main laws
KRS 383.010-383.285 (general landlord-tenant, forcible detainer 383.200-383.285); URLTA KRS 383.500-383.715 (only where adopted locally)

Just-cause protection

No statewide law

Kentucky has no just-cause rule. Which notices apply depends on whether the city or county adopted the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA). Under Shinkle v. Turner (Ky. 2016), the landlord cannot file until the notice's move-out date has passed. (KRS 383.500; Shinkle v. Turner, 496 S.W.3d 418 (Ky. 2016))

Notices before filing, by reason

What a landlord must serve before filing — and what a tenant should expect to receive.

Unpaid rent — 7-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Vacate (URLTA)

In URLTA areas, the landlord must give a written 7-day notice to pay or leave; paying in full within 7 days stops the eviction. In non-URLTA areas, state law does not set a notice period for unpaid rent; follow the lease, and a written demand is strongly recommended.

7-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Vacate (URLTA)

Notice period
7 days
Counting
Count calendar days after delivery. File only after the 7th day has fully passed (Shinkle v. Turner).
Tenant can fix it?
Yes, within the notice period
Must include
  • Tenant name(s) and property address
  • Amount of rent due
  • Statement that the rental agreement will terminate if rent is not paid within 7 days after the notice is delivered
  • Landlord or agent signature and date
How to serve
Hand it to the tenant in person; Leave it with an adult who lives there (and mail a copy if required); Post it on the door; First-class mail; Certified mail (return receipt). Hand-deliver the notice or mail it to the tenant. Leaving it with an adult at the unit or posting it on the door is common. Keep proof of delivery (certified mail receipt or a signed statement from the person who delivered it). Double-check with the court: KRS does not list exact service methods; courts require proof the tenant actually received it. Applies in areas that adopted Kentucky's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA), including Louisville/Jefferson County, Lexington-Fayette and Covington.
Law
KRS 383.660(2)
  • Non-URLTA areas: no statutory notice period; the lease controls. Double-check with the court: many District Courts still expect a written demand/notice before filing.
  • Double-check with the court: which cities and counties have adopted URLTA; check with the local District Court clerk.
The tenant broke the lease or rules — 14/15-Day Notice to Cure or Vacate (URLTA)

In URLTA areas, the landlord gives written notice of a material breach: the lease ends in at least 15 days unless the tenant fixes it within 14 days. A repeat breach within 6 months allows a 14-day notice with no cure. In non-URLTA areas, follow the lease.

14/15-Day Notice to Cure or Vacate (URLTA)

Notice period
15 days
Counting
Count calendar days from receipt; cure period 14 days, termination at least 15 days after receipt.
Tenant can fix it?
Yes, within the notice period
Must include
  • Tenant name(s) and property address
  • The acts or omissions that are the breach
  • Statement that the rental agreement will terminate on a date at least 15 days after receipt unless the breach is remedied within 14 days
  • Landlord signature and date
How to serve
Hand it to the tenant in person; Leave it with an adult who lives there (and mail a copy if required); Post it on the door; First-class mail; Certified mail (return receipt). Hand-deliver the notice or mail it to the tenant. Leaving it with an adult at the unit or posting it on the door is common. Keep proof of delivery (certified mail receipt or a signed statement from the person who delivered it). Double-check with the court: KRS does not list exact service methods; courts require proof the tenant actually received it. Applies in areas that adopted Kentucky's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA), including Louisville/Jefferson County, Lexington-Fayette and Covington.
Law
KRS 383.660(1)
  • Non-URLTA areas: no statutory notice for lease violations; use the lease's notice terms.
The lease ended and the tenant stayed — no notice required

When a fixed-term lease ends, no statutory notice is required, but the landlord must make a demand for possession and cannot file until the tenant stays past the move-out date.

  • A written demand for possession before filing is recommended in all counties.
  • Accepting rent after the lease ends may create a month-to-month tenancy that requires a 30-day notice.
Ending a month-to-month tenancy (no fault) — 30-Day Notice to Terminate Tenancy

A month-to-month tenancy can be ended with written notice at least 30 days before the rent due date; week-to-week needs 7 days (URLTA) and month-to-month 30 days statewide.

30-Day Notice to Terminate Tenancy

Notice period
30 days (week-to-week: 7 days, month-to-month: 30 days)
Counting
Give at least 30 days before the periodic rental date (7 days for week-to-week in URLTA areas). File only after the move-out date has passed.
Tenant can fix it?
No
Must include
  • Tenant name(s) and property address
  • Statement that the tenancy ends and the date (at least 30 days away, at the end of a rental period)
  • Landlord signature and date
How to serve
Hand it to the tenant in person; Leave it with an adult who lives there (and mail a copy if required); Post it on the door; First-class mail; Certified mail (return receipt). Hand-deliver the notice or mail it to the tenant. Leaving it with an adult at the unit or posting it on the door is common. Keep proof of delivery (certified mail receipt or a signed statement from the person who delivered it). Double-check with the court: KRS does not list exact service methods; courts require proof the tenant actually received it.
Law
KRS 383.195; KRS 383.695(2)
Illegal activity, violence or serious damage — no notice required

Kentucky has no separate statewide short notice for criminal activity in private rentals. In URLTA areas the 14/15-day breach notice applies; otherwise follow the lease.

  • Double-check with the court: public/subsidized housing and some leases allow shorter notices for drug-related or violent criminal activity.

How a tenant responds

No written answer is required. The summons sets a trial date (at least 3 days after service). The tenant should appear at that hearing to present defenses. If the tenant loses, they have 7 days before a warrant for possession can issue, and may appeal within 7 days.

Deadline: at the hearing (no fixed written-answer deadline) · KRS 383.210, 383.215, 383.245, 383.255

City and local rules

  • URLTA (KRS 383.500-383.715) applies only where adopted locally, including Louisville/Jefferson County, Lexington-Fayette and Covington, plus a number of smaller cities and counties. Outside those areas the older KRS 383 rules apply.
  • Louisville Metro prohibits source-of-income discrimination. Double-check with the court: local ordinances before serving notice.

Official court forms

Landlords

  • AOC-216 — Forcible Detainer Complaint
  • AOC-215 — Notice of Eviction Hearing – Trial by the Court

All Kentucky forms →

Sources

Checked 2026-09. General information, not legal advice; laws change and courts differ. We strive for accuracy but don’t guarantee it.