Kentucky Just Cause Eviction Law: Statewide Rental Property Rules Rules (2026)

Key Facts

Statute: KRS 383.505 to 383.715
Just cause required: No, statewide
Month-to-month notice: 30 days written
URLTA adoption: Local opt-in only

Full Breakdown

Kentucky adopted the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act under KRS 383.505 through 383.715, but the statute applies only in cities and counties that affirmatively adopt it, including Lexington-Fayette, Louisville, Covington, and roughly a dozen others. In URLTA jurisdictions, landlords may terminate month-to-month tenancies with 30 days written notice without stating cause. In non-URLTA areas, common law and KRS 383.195 apply, also without a just-cause requirement. Because landlord-tenant relations are governed by state statute, Kentucky cities cannot impose substantive just-cause eviction requirements beyond what state law permits, given Kentucky's Dillon's Rule tradition for non-home-rule matters.

Violations & Penalties

Local just-cause eviction ordinances are preempted by state landlord-tenant law and unenforceable against private residential landlords across Kentucky.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Kentucky city require just cause for eviction?

No. State landlord-tenant law occupies the field. Cities cannot add substantive grounds-for-eviction requirements beyond URLTA or common-law termination procedures established under KRS 383.

How much notice ends a month-to-month lease in Kentucky?

Thirty days written notice from either party terminates a month-to-month tenancy under KRS 383.695. The landlord need not state a reason, but notice timing must be precise.

Kentucky Eviction Just Cause Statewide URLTA Framework