Louisville Residential Lease Agreement

A residential lease agreement in Louisville is a binding document between a landlord and a tenant. This agreement outlines the terms and conditions surrounding the use of a rental property in exchange for payment.

Residential Lease Agreement Requirements in Louisville

Louisville has no city-specific residential lease agreement requirements or disclosures. As such, landlords and tenants in Louisville follow Kentucky requirements for lease agreements.

Landlord-Tenant Rights and Regulations in Louisville

When it comes to landlord-tenant rights, landlords should be aware of the following:

Rental Assistance

The Louisville Metro Housing Stabilization Program helps provide rental assistance for eligible tenants. This program is administered through Neighborhood Place, a city initiative that offers a variety of resources for families in Louisville and Jefferson Country. To qualify for assistance, tenants must:

• Be an income-eligible renter legally living in Jefferson County
• Have a legally binding lease covering the assistance time frame
• Meet federal poverty guidelines
• Meet all other criteria (found on their website)

Eviction Protection

The City of Louisville offers a local program called Stop My Eviction. This program provides resources and assistance for tenants facing eviction. They also offer a service called Eviction Prevention Mediation. This process involves a neutral third party intervening to help resolve issues such as nonpayment of rent. The goal is for both parties to come to an agreement and avoid a costly and stressful eviction process.

Property Maintenance Code

Louisville has its own property maintenance code that outlines the minimum maintenance standards that must be met for a rental property, as well as landlord and tenant responsibilities. This code covers the following categories: [1]

• Kitchen and bathroom
• Light and ventilation
• Heat, water, and electricity
• Fire safety
• Overcrowdedness
• Parking and vehicles
• Maintenance and repairs
• Foundation and floors
• Stairs and protective railing

Optional Lease Agreement Disclosures and Addendums in Louisville

While not mandatory, landlords can add specific disclosures and addendums to their leases. This helps outline the responsibilities of the tenant and can prevent future liability issues.

Crime-Free Addendum

Due to Louisville’s high crime rate, landlords may want to include an addendum stating that engaging in criminal activity, including drug-related activity, is prohibited on or near the property.

Parking Addendum

Since Louisville is primarily a driving city, landlords might consider including a parking addendum in the lease agreement to clearly outline the building’s parking policy. This should include information on assigned parking spots, street parking rules, and any prohibited uses of the parking space.

Summary of Required Lease Disclosures for the State of Kentucky

• Landlord’s Name and Address – Oregon leases must contain the name and address of the landlord or authorized agent.
• Move-In Checklist – Landlords must provide a move-in checklist to inventory existing property damage
• Security Deposit Holdings – Landlords collecting a security deposit must within 30 days of collection disclose the holding information to the tenant. This disclosure must state the amount of deposit, location of funds, and account number.
• Lead-Based Paint – It is a federal law in the United States that any home built prior to 1978 must disclose the risks posed by lead-based paints.