Security deposit return deadline in Kentucky

How long a Kentucky landlord has to return the deposit and send an itemized statement — plus a free calculator already set to Kentucky.

Kentucky return deadline

No single figure

commonly cited range: 14–45 days

Kentucky has no single commonly-cited statutory figure we can quote with confidence. The nationwide range is 14 to 45 days, and that is the window to plan around while you confirm what applies to your specific tenancy.

Kentucky detail: Kentucky’s URLTA rules apply only in adopting cities/counties and the timing depends on tenant notice — check your local statute.

⚠ Informational, not legal advice. Deadlines, counting rules, itemization requirements, and penalties vary by state and city — verify Kentucky's current rules before withholding anything.

Calculate a Kentucky deposit refund

The calculator below is already set to Kentucky, and it shows the 14–45 day range on the statement rather than inventing a deadline. Itemize the deductions and download the statement PDF — no account needed.

Deposit + move-out

Kentucky: deposit return deadline

Typically 14–45 days after move-out — check your state statute for the exact figure.

Kentucky’s URLTA rules apply only in adopting cities/counties and the timing depends on tenant notice — check your local statute.

Deadlines, counting rules (business vs calendar days), and forwarding-address requirements vary — verify your statute before relying on this date.

Itemized deductions

Deduction 1

Normal wear (can't deduct) vs. damage (can deduct)

You generally can't charge the deposit for ordinary aging from normal use — only for damage beyond it, cleaning back to the move-in standard, and unpaid rent.

Normal wear — landlord's costDamage — deductible
Carpet worn flat in walking pathsPet stains, burns, or ripped carpet
A few small nail holes from picturesFist-sized holes in the drywall
Faded or lightly scuffed paintUnapproved paint colors, crayon or marker on walls
Loose grout, dull tub finishCracked tile or a chipped tub from impact
Sticking doors from settlingBroken doors, missing hardware
Sun-faded blinds or curtainsBent, torn, or missing blinds

Names + addresses (for the statement)

Enter the deposit amount above to enable the download.

Deposit held

$0.00

Total deductions

$0.00

Amount to return

$0.00

PreviewUpdates as you type · Final PDF matches this layout

ITEMIZED SECURITY DEPOSIT STATEMENT

(Kentucky)

Date of statement: August 14, 2026

Move-out date: August 14, 2026

TO: ____________________

RE: Security deposit for ____________________

This statement itemizes the disposition of your security deposit for the premises identified above following the termination of your tenancy on August 14, 2026. Supporting documentation is available on request.

DescriptionCategoryAmount
No deductions — deposit returned in full.
Security deposit held$0.00
Total deductions$0.00
AMOUNT RETURNED TO TENANT$0.00

Refund enclosed / to follow

Check your state deadline (typically 14–45 days)

$0.00

Signature of landlord / authorized agent

Date

This statement template is provided for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Deposit-return deadlines, itemization requirements, and penalties for wrongful withholding vary by state and city.

Kentucky vs. its neighboring states

Kentucky has no single commonly-cited figure, while Illinois (45 days), Indiana (45 days), Missouri (30 days), Ohio (30 days), Virginia (45 days) and West Virginia (60 days) do. If you own units on both sides of the line, work to the shortest deadline you are subject to.

StateReturn deadline
Kentucky (this page)No single figure
Illinois45 days
Indiana45 days
Missouri30 days
Ohio30 days
TennesseeNo single figure
Virginia45 days
West Virginia60 days

Kentucky is one of only 2 of the 51 jurisdictions we track without a single figure that is safe to quote. Everywhere else the deadlines run from 14 to 60 days, with a median of 30.

Other states with no single cited figure (1)

What the 14–45 day range does not tell you

The headline number is the part everyone quotes and the smallest part of the actual obligation. These are the details that decide whether a deposit return holds up:

  • When the clock actually starts. Several states start or extend the clock when the tenant provides a forwarding address in writing rather than at move-out. Do not assume the move-out date is the trigger until you have checked the statute in Kentucky.
  • Business days vs. calendar days. A few states count business days instead of calendar days, which is a materially different deadline. The figure here is generally cited as calendar days.
  • A faster track when nothing is withheld. Some states require a quicker refund when the deposit is returned in full. If you are withholding nothing, returning it promptly is the low-risk move regardless.
  • The itemized statement itself. Nearly every state requires a written, line-by-line statement whenever any amount is withheld, delivered inside the same deadline. A refund with no statement can be as much of a problem as a late refund.
  • Interest and local ordinances. Some states and a number of cities require interest on held deposits or add receipt requirements. Check your municipality, not just the state.
  • Prorating for useful life. Replacing a ten-year-old carpet the tenant damaged does not entitle you to charge for a brand-new one. Most states expect the deduction to reflect the item's remaining useful life.

Move-out sequence for a Kentucky landlord

  1. Photograph everything the day the keys come back — dated, room by room, against your move-in record.
  2. Get the forwarding address in writing. Even where it does not change the deadline, it decides where the statement goes.
  3. Calendar the deadline immediately. Pick a date inside the 14–45 day range and work to it.
  4. Itemize each deduction with a description, a category, and a real amount backed by an invoice or estimate.
  5. Send the statement and the refund together, and keep proof of how and when you sent them.

Kentucky security deposits: common questions

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Kentucky?

Kentucky does not have a single commonly-cited statutory figure that is safe to quote. Across the country the range runs from 14 to 45 days, and that is the window to plan around here. Kentucky’s URLTA rules apply only in adopting cities/counties and the timing depends on tenant notice — check your local statute. Read the statute that applies to your specific tenancy before you rely on any number.

What happens if a Kentucky landlord misses the deadline?

Missing a deposit deadline is one of the more expensive small mistakes in landlording. Depending on the state, a late or missing itemized statement can forfeit the right to withhold anything at all, and several states add a multiple-damages penalty on top. With no clean figure to work to in Kentucky, send the statement early rather than late, and keep proof of when it went out.

What can be deducted from a security deposit in Kentucky?

The usual three categories: unpaid rent, cleaning needed to bring the unit back to its move-in condition, and damage beyond normal wear and tear. Ordinary aging is not deductible — worn carpet in the traffic paths, sun-faded blinds, light scuffs, a handful of small nail holes. Each deduction should be its own line with a real amount behind it, not a round number. The calculator above builds that itemization and totals what is left to return.

What should a Kentucky landlord do without a clear statutory deadline?

Work to the tightest plausible window rather than the loosest. Send the itemized statement and any refund within two to three weeks of move-out, in writing, to the tenant's forwarding address — and keep proof of mailing. Kentucky’s URLTA rules apply only in adopting cities/counties and the timing depends on tenant notice — check your local statute. A landlord who sent a clear statement early is in a strong position regardless of which deadline a court later decides applied; a landlord who waited is not.

A disputed deduction is won with dated records

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