Kentucky rental housing laws

What it would do: Requires automatic expungement of dismissed forcible detainer cases after 14 days, prohibits minors from being named as defendants unless they are leaseholders, and prevents consumer reporting agencies from maintaining records of dismissed forcible detainer actions.

What it would do: Grants tenants who have occupied a residential rental property with three or fewer units for at least six months a right of first refusal to purchase the property before the owner may sell to a third party, with a 30-day offer period and five-day response deadlines. Violations subject to fines up to $1,000.

What it would do: Requires all existing single-family dwellings and multifamily residential units to have at least one working hardwired or ten-year lithium battery-powered smoke detector by December 31, 2026, with property owners responsible for installation and attestation prior to sale, lease, or change of tenancy.

What it would do: Allows landlords to terminate rental agreements with three days' notice if law enforcement or fire protection services are dispatched to the property more than three times in any six-month period due to the tenant's conduct, and requires landlords to return unused prepaid rent.

What it would do: Creates three new grounds for residential lease termination: medically fragile tenants with health emergencies may terminate with 30 days' notice and medical documentation, owing only prorated rent; covered tenants age 60+ or with disabilities may terminate upon spouse/cotenant death with 60 days' notice; and tenants may terminate if landlords fail to abate identified lead hazards within reasonable time.

What it would do: Prohibits local governments from restricting short-term rentals through conditional permits, density limits, residential zone bans, time restrictions, or residency requirements. Allows local governments to require only one permit per property with limited owner information, valid one year, for a fee not exceeding $150.

What it would do: Creates civil liability for landlords of residential rental property cited for housing or building code violations if not cured within 90 days, allowing tenants to recover three months' rent, attorney's fees, punitive damages, and mold-related expenses.

What it would do: Requires all existing single-family dwellings and multifamily residential units to have at least one working smoke detector that is hardwired or battery-powered by December 31, 2026, with installation required before sale, lease, or change of ownership, and imposes civil penalties up to $500 for failure to provide required affidavits.

What it would do: Requires landlords to provide written notice of screening criteria, charges, and rental unit information before collecting applicant screening fees, and mandates written denial statements within 14 days. Establishes pre-occupancy damage listings for security deposits and creates remedies for violations.

What it would do: Prohibits landlords from using algorithmic devices to set residential rent amounts, defining such devices as those using algorithms to calculate rent based on local or statewide rent data. Violations are treated as unfair trade practices subject to Consumer Protection Act remedies.

What it would do: Replaces Kentucky's residential landlord-tenant law with the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, establishing comprehensive rights and obligations for both parties including habitability standards, security deposit limits of two months' rent, notice requirements, remedies for noncompliance, and protections for domestic violence victims.

What it would do: Prohibits persons and their affiliates owning 50 or more single-family rental homes in Kentucky from purchasing additional single-family homes for non-residential use, with exceptions for nonprofits and homes advertised for sale 90 days or more (30 days for small businesses). Violations are treated as unfair trade practices.

What it would do: Requires courts to expunge forcible detainer action records five days after dismissal without defendant action, treating proceedings as never occurred. Allows minors improperly named as defendants to petition for immediate expungement of their names.

What it would do: Requires courts to stay execution of eviction warrants for residential property during extreme weather conditions (Extreme Cold or Heat Warnings, or declared natural disasters) and prioritize completion within three days after conditions cease.

What it would do: Defines short-term rentals as dwelling units rented for less than 30 days and requires compliance with state and local zoning, building code, and fire safety laws. Authorizes local governments to regulate short-term rentals through registries, licensing fees, location restrictions, occupancy requirements, and other specified controls.

What it would do: Requires courts to automatically expunge records of dismissed forcible entry and detainer cases after five days, with courts and agencies deleting records so background checks show no record exists. Also allows expungement of improperly named unemancipated minors from detainer orders.

What it would do: Creates affordable housing loan pool and homelessness prevention funds administered by Kentucky Housing Corporation and Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Establishes state affordable housing tax credit for low-income housing projects, expands ENERGY STAR and energy efficiency credits, and appropriates $104,000,000 for housing initiatives.

What it would do: Creates civil liability for landlords of residential rental property cited for housing or building code violations if not cured within 90 days, allowing tenants to recover three months' rent, attorney's fees, punitive damages, and mold-related medical expenses.

What it would do: Requires courts to stay execution of eviction warrants for residential property during extreme weather conditions (Extreme Cold Warnings, Excessive Heat Warnings, or declared natural disasters) and prioritize completion within three days after conditions cease.

What it would do: Prohibits local governments from requiring conditional use permits for short-term rentals or imposing density-based restrictions on them, while allowing health and safety ordinances that apply equally to all residential uses.

What it would do: Creates a procedure allowing property owners to request law enforcement to immediately remove unlawful occupants from residential property by submitting a notarized petition, and establishes immunity for officers acting in good faith and creates a new Class A misdemeanor for presenting fraudulent lease or property documents.

What it would do: Requires all existing single-family dwellings and multifamily residential units to have at least one working hardwired or battery-powered smoke detector, and carbon monoxide and fuel/gas leak detectors if applicable, by December 31, 2025, with property owners responsible for testing and providing signed affidavits to buyers or lessees.

What it would do: Prohibits landlords from using algorithmic devices to set residential rent amounts, defining such devices as those using algorithms to calculate rent based on local or statewide rental data. Violations are treated as unfair or deceptive trade practices.

What it would do: Repeals and reenacts Kentucky's residential landlord-tenant law, establishing comprehensive duties for landlords including habitability maintenance, security deposit handling, and notice requirements, while providing tenants remedies for noncompliance including rent withholding, repair-and-deduct rights, and lease termination options.

What it would do: Defines short-term rentals as dwelling units rented for less than 30 days and requires compliance with state and local zoning, building code, and fire safety laws. Authorizes local governments to regulate short-term rentals through registries, fees, location restrictions, occupancy requirements, and other specified measures.