A Kentucky lease agreement is a legally binding document between landlords looking to lease their residential property and tenants covering a monthly fee for it and complying with the rental terms and conditions.
All states, including Kentucky, are required by federal and their respective state law to include certain requirements for lease agreements for residential property. Such requirements include the identifying information of both the landlord and tenant, the address of the property, whether pets are allowed or prohibited, information about any safety, health, and other hazards, security deposit and rent payment specifics, late fees, and grace periods.
Laws
Required Lease Disclosures
When entering a lease agreement, Kentucky rental laws impose specific requirements for landlords and tenants. For example, Title 32, Chapter 383 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes provides for the following disclosures:
- Move-In Checklist – A landlord must provide all prospective tenants with a list of currently existing damage to a residential unit. Both the landlord and tenant are required to sign and agree on the findings of a rental inspection checklist after allowing the tenant to inspect the premises.
- The landlord must place all security deposits in a bank account used only for this purpose and inform the tenant of the bank name, location, and account number where the deposit is being held.
- Kentucky landlords must provide tenants, in writing before the lease begins, the names and addresses of the person authorized to manage the property and the owner or a person authorized to act for and on behalf of the property owner (§ 383.585).
- Lead-Based Paint Disclosure – Landlords must provide tenants with a lead-based paint disclosure if the rental property was built before 1978 (documenting the possibility of lead paint on the rental property, including in common areas).
Security Deposit
No statute governs how much landlords may request from tenants as a security deposit.
Kentucky landlords are required to return tenant security deposits within 30 days from termination of the lease due to unpaid rent or 60 days from termination when there has been no dispute (§ 383.580).
Landlord Right of Entry
Kentucky landlords must provide tenants with two days’ notice before entering the premises. Landlords can only enter the premises without giving notice in emergency situations (§ 383.615).
Landlord Obligations
A landlord is required to comply with applicable building and housing codes regarding health and safety, make repairs to keep premises habitable, keep common areas clean and safe, supply running water and reasonable amounts of hot water at all times and heat (between October 1 and May 21), and maintain in good and safe working condition all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and other facilities and appliances (§ 383.595).
Sample
Below is a free residential lease agreement template to rent out your property in Kentucky.
