Kentucky Required Landlord Disclosures: What You Must Tell Tenants

Official Law Citation: KRS 383.580 / KRS 383.585 / KRS 224.1-410 / 42 U.S.C. § 4852d

Since Kentucky’s admission to the Union on June 1, 1792, property laws have evolved to emphasize transparency between parties. In jurisdictions that have adopted the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA) (effective July 13, 1984), landlords are subject to specific mandatory disclosures governed primarily by KRS 383.580 and KRS 383.585. Additionally, federal law mandates strict disclosures for properties containing lead-based paint, and state law requires notification regarding methamphetamine contamination.

Mandatory Disclosures

Note: The disclosure requirements under KRS 383.580 and 383.585 apply only in Kentucky jurisdictions that have formally adopted the URLTA.

1. Security Deposit Account Information (KRS 383.580)

In URLTA jurisdictions, before collecting a security deposit, landlords must inform the tenant of the location of the separate bank account holding the deposit. This disclosure must include:

• The name and address of the financial institution.
• The account number where the funds are held.

2. Move-in Checklist and Damage Listing (KRS 383.580)

When collecting a security deposit in a URLTA jurisdiction, the landlord must provide a comprehensive listing of any then-existing damage to the unit. This disclosure must include:

• A detailed list of all existing defects.
• The estimated dollar cost of repairing each item.
• Both parties must sign the list.

Penalty for Non-compliance: Under KRS 383.580(4), a landlord who fails to provide this list with estimated repair costs is precluded from retaining any portion of the security deposit upon termination of the lease.

3. Landlord/Agent Identification (KRS 383.585)

In URLTA jurisdictions, the landlord must disclose in writing at or before the commencement of the tenancy:

• The name and address of the person authorized to manage the premises.
• The name and address of an owner of the premises (or a person authorized to act for the owner) for the purpose of service of process and receiving notices and demands.

4. Lead-Based Paint Disclosure (Pre-1978 Properties)

For properties built before 1978 ("target housing"), federal law (42 U.S.C. § 4852d) requires landlords to:

• Disclose any known lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards.
• Provide the EPA pamphlet "Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home."
• Include a lead-based paint disclosure form signed by both parties.

5. Methamphetamine Contamination (KRS 224.1-410)

Under KRS 224.1-410, owners of property that has been used for methamphetamine production must disclose this contamination to prospective tenants. This disclosure is mandatory unless the property has been decontaminated and certified by a qualified professional in accordance with state standards.

Recommended (Not Mandatory) Disclosures

URLTA vs. Non-URLTA Jurisdictions

The statutory disclosure requirements in KRS 383.580 and 383.585 apply only in the approximately 19 Kentucky jurisdictions that have formally adopted the URLTA. These include major areas such as Louisville-Jefferson County, Lexington-Fayette County, Covington, and Florence. In jurisdictions that have not adopted the URLTA, these specific statutory disclosure requirements may not apply. However, landlords in all jurisdictions must comply with federal lead paint disclosure requirements and methamphetamine contamination disclosures, and should follow best practices for documenting property condition.

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