If you’re a landlord seeking to evict a tenant, use a Kentucky (KY) eviction notice to begin the process. Your eviction notice must be written according to Kentucky state law, and give your tenant the legally required amount of time to respond or move out.
In Kentucky, eviction lawsuits are governed by Chapter 383 Forcible Entry and Detainer of the Kentucky Revised Statutes.
Eviction notices in Kentucky are also known as:
- Kentucky Notice to Quit
- Kentucky Notice to Pay Rent or Quit
- Kentucky Notice to Vacate
- Kentucky Lease Termination
Kentucky Eviction Notices by Type
Download a free eviction notice customized for Kentucky state law below in MS Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF format.
Note: The following notices may be used in any county in the state of Kentucky, however, the specific time periods are for leased properties that are in the counties listed below. If the leased property is in any other county refer to the original lease or rental agreement to determine the exact number of days in advance the tenant must be notified.
Affected Counties:
- Barbourville
- Bellevue
- Bromley
- Covington
- Dayton
- Florence
- Fayette
- Georgetown
- Jefferson
- Ludlow
- Melbourne
- Newport
- Oldham
- Pulaski
- Shelbyville
- Silver Grove
- Southgate
- Taylor
- Woodlawn
30-Day Lease Termination: Depending on the county of the residence, use this notice to let a tenant know that you’re ending a month-to-month lease, and that they must prepare to leave your property. In Kentucky, landlords must give tenants 30 days’ notice to move out if they’re on a month-to-month lease.
Download: Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF
15-Day Notice to Quit for Non-Compliance: Use this notice to begin evicting a tenant if they’ve broken the terms of your lease. Tenants may have the option to fix (or “cure”) the problem when given this notice to quit.
In Kentucky, landlords must give tenants 15 days’ notice for curable violations if the leased property is in one of the affected Kentucky counties listed above.
Download: Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF
14-Day Notice to Quit for Non-Compliance: Use this notice to begin evicting a tenant if they’ve broken the terms of your lease. When given this notice, tenants don’t have the option to fix (or “cure”) the problem, and must move out or risk being forcibly evicted by a court order.
Landlords must give tenants 14 days’ notice for incurable violations if the leased property is in one of the affected Kentucky counties listed above.
Download: Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF
7-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit: Use this notice to begin evicting a tenant if they haven’t paid rent on time. In Kentucky, landlords must give tenants 7 days to pay rent before the eviction process can proceed in court if the leased property is in one of the affected counties listed above.
Download: Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF
If you wish to send a letter simply reminding your tenant that rent is late (without threat of eviction), use a late rent notice.
Eviction Laws & Requirements
- Eviction Lawsuit: Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Chapter 383)
- Grace Period for Rent Payment: No Statute
- Late or Non-Payment of Rent Notice: 7 days (KRS § 383.660(2))
- Notice of Non-Compliance: 15 days (KRS § 383.660(1))
- Second Notice of Non-Compliance: 14 days (KRS § 383.660(1))
- Lease Termination Letter (Month-to-Month Lease): 30 days (KRS § 383.695(2))
What is the Eviction Process in Kentucky?
Step 1: Provide an Eviction Notice
The landlord must first give the tenant the appropriate eviction notice to begin the eviction process. For instance, a 7-day notice to quit is required to evict a tenant who hasn’t paid rent.
Step 2: File and Serve a Complaint
If the tenant cures the breach (when given the option) or moves out within the required timeframe, the landlord can’t take further action. However, if the tenant fails to cure the breach or move out, the landlord then files a complaint (or “warrant”) in the appropriate court. The fees vary depending on the county.
Step 3: Go to Court
Kentucky state law doesn’t define how quickly the eviction hearing must be held after the summons and complaint has been issued. The local jurisdiction has the right to determine the timeframe. Additionally, tenants are not required to file a written answer to appear at the hearing.
Step 4: Wait on the Tenant’s Action
If the tenant doesn’t show up or the court favors the landlord, then the tenant has to move out. However, the tenant may file an appeal within 7 days of the judgment, depending on whether a specific county has adopted the Uniform Residential Landlord Tenant Act. If no appeal is filed, the eviction process will continue.
Step 5: File a Writ of Restitution
If the tenant doesn’t move out of the property within 7 days, the landlord can file a Writ of Restitution. If the court grants the Writ of Restitution, the sheriff will remove the tenant from the property.
Related Kentucky Court Forms
Notice of Eviction Hearing Trial by the Court: This document begins the eviction process in Kentucky, and must be delivered by the landlord to the correct court (which depends on the location of the property).
Warrant for Possession: If the tenant doesn’t move out within 7 days after the eviction has been approved by the court, the landlord must file this form with the District Court to ask the sheriff’s department to evict the tenant from the property.
Eviction Information for Kentucky Landlords or Tenants
To help Kentucky landlords and tenants go through the eviction process smoothly, here are several state-specific resources.
Eviction Information for Landlords
Kentucky landlords should know the exact number of days their tenant has to cure the problem or vacate the property. If the tenant fails to correct the issue or move out by the end of the notice period, the landlord may file a lawsuit against the tenant.
Prior to starting the eviction process in Kentucky, make sure you’ve read and understand the clauses under the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Chapter 383) and whether your county has its own specific requirements.
Eviction Information for Tenants
As a resident of Kentucky, tenants have a legal right to:
- Receive documentation (the eviction notice) prior to being evicted from a property
- A certain number of days to address the violation and remedy it (unless the violation is incurable)
- Appeal to the court when an eviction notice has been issued by the landlord
To understand your responsibilities and rights as a tenant in the state of Kentucky, visit this informational page on Kentucky’s Attorney General page. You can find out more about the eviction process in Kentucky and the details of going to court by visiting the Legal Aid Network of Kentucky eviction topic page.