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Kentucky Security Deposit Return Deadline
The rule
| Deadline | No fixed return deadline. Where KRS 383.580 applies (cities and counties that adopted the uniform act), the landlord inspects, gives a signed damage list, and notifies the tenant of any refund. If the tenant doesn't respond within 60 days, the landlord may keep it. Signed move-in and move-out damage lists are required. |
|---|---|
| Maximum deposit | No cap |
| Penalty for wrongful withholding | Forfeiture of the right to withhold |
| Statute | KRS 383.580 |
Kentucky's deposit statute applies only in cities and counties that adopted the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. Where it applies, signed move-in and move-out damage lists are required.
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What to send the tenant
Send the remaining deposit, or a written, itemized list of each deduction with its cost (free letter template), to the tenant's forwarding address before the deadline. Keep proof of the date you sent it. Normal wear and tear generally can't be deducted, and a deduction is strongest when your signed move-in report shows the item was in good condition.
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Common questions
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Kentucky?
No fixed return deadline. Where KRS 383.580 applies (cities and counties that adopted the uniform act), the landlord inspects, gives a signed damage list, and notifies the tenant of any refund. If the tenant doesn't respond within 60 days, the landlord may keep it. Signed move-in and move-out damage lists are required. (KRS 383.580)
What is the maximum security deposit in Kentucky?
Kentucky law sets no maximum security deposit.
What happens if a Kentucky landlord misses the deadline or withholds in bad faith?
The penalty in Kentucky: forfeiture of the right to withhold. Missing the deadline can also cost the landlord the right to keep any of the deposit.
Last reviewed November 2026. Summary of KRS 383.580, cross-checked against multiple published sources. General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities and counties can add requirements. Read the statute or ask a local attorney before you act.