NOTE: In many of Kentucky’s jurisdictions, there is no specific law about landlord entry rights, and the landlord’s only responsibilities are to act in a reasonable manner and keep the terms of the lease. This article applies only to places which have passed Kentucky’s Uniform Residential Landlord-Tenant Act.
| Legal Reasons for Entry |
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| Notice Requirement |
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| Penalties for Illegal Entry |
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Does a Landlord Have the Right To Enter a Rental Property in Kentucky?
Kentucky landlords have the right to enter a rental property for the following reasons:
- Inspecting the property.
- Improvements (including decorations).
- Maintenance and repairs.
- Showing the property.
- Emergencies.
Can a Landlord Enter Without Permission in Kentucky?
Kentucky landlords can legally enter a rental property without permission in emergencies. They can sometimes enter without permission when repairing a health and safety issue that’s due to tenant noncompliance. In all other cases, the tenant has to give consent.
Can a Landlord Enter Without the Tenant Present in Kentucky?
Kentucky landlords can legally enter a rental property without the tenant present.
Can a Landlord Show a House While Occupied in Kentucky?
Kentucky landlords can show an occupied house. The renter can’t unreasonably refuse.
How Often Can Landlords Conduct Routine Inspections in Kentucky?
Kentucky landlords have no specific limit on how often they can enter for inspections. The landlord isn’t allowed to enter unreasonably often, but what’s reasonable gets decided case by case.
How Much Notice Does a Landlord Need To Provide in Kentucky?
Kentucky landlords must provide at least two days’ advance notice before entering, except if there’s an emergency or there’s a provable reason that it’s not practically possible to contact the renter. When entering with an intention to repair and then bill the tenant for noncompliance, 14 days’ notice is required.
Can a Landlord Enter Without Notice in Kentucky?
Kentucky landlords can enter without notice, but only if the renter has been gone for more than seven days, if there’s an emergency, or when there’s a provable reason it’s not practically possible to contact the renter.
How Can Landlords Notify Tenants of an Intention To Enter in Kentucky?
Kentucky landlords can notify verbally or in writing about an impending entry, as long as the notice is reasonably calculated to effectively inform the tenant regarding the time and purpose of entry. Written notice is required when the landlord intends to repair and then bill for tenant noncompliance.
Can a Tenant Refuse Entry to a Landlord in Kentucky?
Kentucky tenants can refuse entry to a landlord at any time other than emergencies. However, the landlord does have the right to enter with proper notice at reasonable times for specified purposes. If the tenant refuses entry unreasonably, the landlord might evict.
What Happens If the Tenant Illegally Refuses Entry to the Landlord in Kentucky?
Kentucky landlords can take any of the following actions if a tenant illegally refuses entry:
- Get a court order to force access.
- Cancel the rental agreement and evict.
- Recover cost of any actual damages.
- Recover attorney fees.
Can a Tenant Change the Locks Without Permission in Kentucky?
Kentucky tenants can change locks without permission if the lease doesn’t say otherwise. Note that the landlord still has a right to enter for specific reasons, so it’s reasonable for tenants to provide copies of current keys.
What Can a Tenant Do If the Landlord Enters Illegally in Kentucky?
Kentucky tenants can do any of the following if the landlord enters, enters in an unreasonable way, or demands entry in a way that harasses the tenant:
- Get a court order to ban the landlord from entering.
- Cancel the rental agreement.
- Recover cost of any actual damages.
- Recover attorney fees.
Sources
- 1 Kentucky’s Uniform Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (URLTA)
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As of December 2022, Fayette, Jefferson, Oldham, and Pulaski counties have adopted Kentucky’s Uniform Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (URLTA), in addition to the following cities: Barbourville, Bellevue, Bromley, Covington, Dayton, Florence, Georgetown, Ludlow, Melbourne, Newport, Silver Grove, Southgate, Shelbyville, Taylor Mill, and Woodlawn. Outside of these places, the landlord doesn’t owe the tenant a duty to repair the premises up to code except as agreed in the lease. See Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 383.500 (2022) (“If adopted [by cities or counties], these [URLTA] provisions shall be adopted in their entirety and without amendment. No other ordinance shall be enacted by a city, county or urban- county government which relates to the subjects.”)
Source Link - 2 Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 383.615(1) - (3) (2022)
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“(1) A tenant shall not unreasonably withhold consent to the landlord to enter into the dwelling unit in order to inspect the premises, make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations, or improvements, supply necessary or agreed services, or exhibit the dwelling unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workmen, or contractors. (2) A landlord may enter the dwelling unit without consent of the tenant in case of emergency. (3) A landlord shall not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant. Except in case of emergency or unless it is impracticable to do so, the landlord shall give the tenant at least two (2) days’ notice of his intent to enter and may enter only at reasonable times.”
Source Link - 3 Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 383.665 (2022)
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“If there is noncompliance by the tenant with KRS 383.605 [tenant maintenance obligations] or 383.610 [landlord’s community rules] materially affecting health and safety that can be remedied by repair, replacement of a damaged item or cleaning, and the tenant fails to comply as promptly as conditions require in case of emergency or within fourteen (14) days after written notice by the landlord specifying the breach and requesting that the tenant remedy it within that period of time, the landlord may enter the dwelling unit and cause the work to be done in a workmanlike manner and submit the itemized bill for the actual and reasonable cost or the fair and reasonable value thereof as rent on the next date periodic rent is due, or if the rental agreement has terminated, for immediate payment.”
Source Link - 4 Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 383.670(2) (2022)
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“During any absence of the tenant in excess of seven (7) days, the landlord may enter the dwelling unit at times reasonably necessary.”
Source Link - 5 Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 383.700(1) (2022)
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“If the tenant refuses to allow lawful access, the landlord may obtain injunctive relief to compel access, or terminate the rental agreement. In either case the landlord may recover actual damages and reasonable attorney’s fees.”
Source Link - 6 Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 383.700(2) (2022)
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“If the landlord makes an unlawful entry or a lawful entry in an unreasonable manner or makes repeated demands for entry otherwise lawful but which have the effect of unreasonably harassing the tenant, the tenant may obtain injunctive relief to prevent the reoccurrence of the conduct or terminate the rental agreement. In either case the tenant may recover actual damages and reasonable attorney’s fees.”
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